British Gypsum is to become the first building materials manufacturer in the UK to form a strategic partnership with circular economy pallet supplier The Pallet LOOP in a bid to significantly reduce pallet waste. The manufacturer uses approximately 1.6 million white timber pallets every year but its switch to a
Championing an age-old, low-carbon material in a new form British stone suppliers Albion Stone and Hutton Stone have commissioned architecture practice Artefact to design a 3m tall stone brick installation called Brick from a Stone which will appear at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21-23 May). The installation will showcase
Sika’s Roofing Division is proud to announce its selection as finalists in two categories of the NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2024. The company has been recognised for its impressive contributions in the technology fields of Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing and Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing. Judges were impressed by two
Sovini Trade Supplies, a Northwest builder’s merchant, is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary servicing the construction industry. The unique offering of Sovini Trade Supplies as part of the Sovini Group’s integrated supply chain, delivers outstanding customer service and value for money without compromising on quality. An ethical business and key
Henley Stone Specialists, BCM GRC and Smart Crosby International (SCI) have joined forces to launch a single source solution for the full design, manufacture, supply, and installation of GRC wall cladding systems. Construction firm Henley Stone Specialists, the UK’s leading installer of high-grade Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, BCM GRC Ltd, leading
Aggregate Industries has opened a brand new asphalt plant to serve Staffordshire and the surrounding areas as part of a £9m investment. The Cauldon plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands is based next to the company’s existing Cauldon Low Quarry, which will serve the plant with materials. The investment is the
Knauf Insulation has launched Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems, a range of complete tested systems designed to simplify specification and support compliance in cladding and masonry façades. The systems consist of sheathing insulation, fixings, and cavity barriers. “The Building Safety Act places much more scrutiny on everyone working on high-risk buildings,” said
John Nash’s last surviving church gets a new Welsh Slate roof. The only surviving church by the Georgian/Regency architect John Nash is enjoying a new lease of life in its bicentenary, thanks to Welsh Slate. All Souls Church, in the Harley Street Conservation Area of Marylebone, London, has been reroofed
Jewson Live, the annual event for the UK’s professional tradespeople is back – and for the first time ever, will be touring the UK. Hosted by national builders’ merchant Jewson – now part of STARK UK – Jewson Live will begin its tour with its flagship live event at the
As part of its major investment project at its Burton on Trent tile plant Russell Roof Tiles is installing state-of-the-art equipment which will support the firm’s Net Zero ambitions. Russell Roof Tiles (RRT), is the leading independent manufacturer of concrete roof tiles and last year it announced a milestone £18.5m
British Gypsum is to become the first building materials manufacturer in the UK to form a strategic partnership with circular economy pallet supplier The Pallet LOOP in a bid to significantly reduce pallet waste. The manufacturer uses approximately 1.6 million white timber pallets every year but its switch to a circular pallet re-use scheme is set to radically reduce the avoidable waste that can result from pallets being disposed of unsustainably. The landmark move supports British Gypsum’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2050, and the initiative is one of many set out in British Gypsum’s sustainability roadmap, which aims to minimise waste, re-use materials and tackle emissions to reduce environmental impact at every stage of build. British Gypsum hopes its partnership with The Pallet LOOP, using its reusable pallets and service-led collection model, will also enable it to work with its customers to support their own reductions in waste and net zero targets. Dean O’Sullivan, Managing Director at British Gypsum, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with The Pallet LOOP as we aim to radically cut unnecessary waste. “Pallets left behind after products have been removed have for a long time created a challenge, with many being unsustainably disposed of at a heavy environmental cost. By joining forces with The Pallet LOOP, we aim to significantly reduce this practice.” British Gypsum will roll out The Pallet LOOP scheme in two stages, with the instantly identifiable, green-coloured LOOP pallets scheduled to be in circulation from May for its bagged plaster and accessories. From July, its plasterboard range, based on pallet size, will begin to transition over, resulting in 70% of their products delivered on reusable pallets once the scheme is fully operational. It is hoped the remaining 30% will move across during a later phase of the project. The Pallet LOOP founder Paul Lewis said: “At LOOP, our mission is to transform the way building materials move and we are incredibly excited that British Gypsum, as a market leader, is partnering with us to promote a culture of pallet reuse. “Using our service, merchants, distributors, principal contractors, and housebuilding companies will be able to book pallet collections, which can take place from as little as 72 hours later. There will also be a PayBack of up to £4 available for every green coloured pallet they put back in the LOOP. Our service is a real step change that is set to deliver substantial benefits across the UK construction supply chain. We can’t wait to get our LOOP pallets into circulation and look forward to other building material manufacturers following British Gypsum in adopting our circular pallet reuse model.” For further information, or to register, visit The Pallet LOOP website at: www.thepalletloop.com or, email setmeup@thepalletloop.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Championing an age-old, low-carbon material in a new form British stone suppliers Albion Stone and Hutton Stone have commissioned architecture practice Artefact to design a 3m tall stone brick installation called Brick from a Stone which will appear at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (21-23 May). The installation will showcase stone bricks which both companies are launching this year. These bricks have remarkable environmental credentials, with carbon intensity reductions of about 75% when compared to clay-fired bricks – they only have about a quarter of the carbon footprint of traditional bricks. Heritage Portland Stone Brick from Albion Stone Darney Heritage Natural Brick from Hutton Stone Both companies have invested in state-of-the-art machinery and technology to turn ‘unloved stone’ (blocks and slabs that do not readily conform to sanitized ranges that have become the norm for stone today) into a sustainable building material. These bricks meet the growing appetite for more environmentally friendly buildings and the aesthetic specifications of planners across the UK who often prefer new buildings to be constructed or clad with bricks to suit the local vernacular. Stone is increasingly recognised as a stronger, more durable, more recyclable, and lower-carbon alternative to the steel and concrete that has become synonymous with the built environment in the 20th and 21st centuries. The manufacture and transportation of steel and concrete involve enormous amounts of energy which largely comes from fossil fuels. Stone starts as zero carbon as it doesn’t need to be manufactured, although energy is needed to extract it from the ground, cut it into blocks and carve it if needed. The final product has a low factor of embodied carbon. When local stone is used for local construction projects, the carbon footprint associated with transportation is negligible. As we move towards electric machinery and transportation powered by renewable energy, the embodied carbon of natural stone will continue to reduce. Brick from a Stone Brick from a Stone will be installed between two iconic red London telephone boxes on Clerkenwell Green from 21-23 May. The installation will consist of a colonnade of six columns constructed from stone bricks in two rows with a roof to provide shelter. The plinths that support the three slender columns to the rear will reflect the production process from stone boulders at the base, to slabs, strips, blocks and finally bricks. The three more substantial columns at the front looking out over Clerkenwell Green will showcase the beauty and finishes of the bricks. Designs are being developed for a brick table or bench beside the colonnade to encourage dwell time and there are plans to incorporate a dog water bowl into one of the plinths to reference the historic water trough for horses next to the installation on Clerkenwell Green. “Our installation Brick from a Stone celebrates the variety of natural stone that lies in abundance beneath our feet, showcasing stone brick, a beautiful ‘new’ product that will help to decarbonise our buildings and provide an alternative to clay-fired brickwork. Our piece hints at the potential to create a new low-carbon vernacular for masonry buildings in the UK that marries the enduring qualities of natural stone with the hand-made qualities of brick,” said Daniel Marmot, Director of Artefact. “Situated in Clerkenwell Green, the installation picks up on the history of the site, referencing the nearby horse trough with a drinking bowl for local dog walkers, a roof for shelter, benches and a table to place drinks from the pub next door. While the front columns are smooth and finished, the rear columns emerge from a rough-edged boulder, celebrating the production process,” added fellow director Benedetta Rogers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sika’s Roofing Division is proud to announce its selection as finalists in two categories of the NFRC UK Roofing Awards 2024. The company has been recognised for its impressive contributions in the technology fields of Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing and Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing. Judges were impressed by two exemplary projects that showcase the company’s commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in roofing solutions. In the Bituminous Hot Applied Liquid Waterproofing category, Sika has been shortlisted for its involvement on a project at Rhodes House, part of the University of Oxford and home to the scholarship team. As part of a large refurbishment plan, large subterranean spaces were excavated beneath the building to create lecture theatres and new pavilions were created. The project required large volumes of concrete to be waterproofed and installed at zero-degree falls. Roofing contractor, Fenland Flat Roofing successfully installed a high penetration primer, before the SikaShield® hot melt structural waterproofing system. Fenland Flat Roofing was able to overcome multiple challenges such as tight workspaces, close proximity to other trades and the aesthetic requirements needed to keep the building in line with its impressive history. For the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category, Sika submitted its large-scale residential project, Burnt Mills in Harlow, Essex. Once home to a series of garages and workshops, it has been redeveloped into 173 homes over 15 storeys, forming one of the tallest buildings in Harlow. Roofing contractors, Contour Roofing used Sikalastic 625N PU Liquid in Grey for the project. The product’s exceptional quality and ease of installation helped Contour Roofing overcome numerous obstacles, such as roof penetrations, to allow for services, and roof plant housing. Mark Gatrell, Business Unit Manager at Sika expressed their excitement at being shortlisted for the awards: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for two NFRC UK Roofing Awards. This acknowledgement reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality roofing solutions, and we are proud of our team’s dedication and expertise, working alongside high quality roofing contractors, which has directly contributed to us reaching this achievement.” Sika’s Roofing Division looks forward to the opportunity to showcase its projects and expertise at the finalists’ ceremony, taking place on Friday 10th May at InterContinental London – The O2. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sovini Trade Supplies, a Northwest builder’s merchant, is proudly celebrating its 10th anniversary servicing the construction industry. The unique offering of Sovini Trade Supplies as part of the Sovini Group’s integrated supply chain, delivers outstanding customer service and value for money without compromising on quality. An ethical business and key contributor to the development and future growth of the region, the organisation is committed to creating opportunities and changing lives for customers, colleagues and communities. Since its inception in 2014, Sovini Trade Supplies has become a trusted name in the industry. From humble beginnings at its Liverpool Aintree site, the company now serves a diverse range of clientele, expanding its reach from its four branches across the Northwest of England. “We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Alan Evans, Director of Operations at Sovini Trade Supplies. “Our journey over the past decade has been filled with triumphs and challenges, and we are grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated colleagues, and supportive partners who have been instrumental to our success.” Sovini Trade Supplies opened its flagship branch on Heysham Road in February 2021 and on the same day, joined the National Buying Group. Both have been significant in attracting new business opportunities and further enriching the local community. They currently employ x local people across their branches and have facilitated over x apprentices through the Groups apprenticeship program. Committed to delivering social value, Sovini Trade Supplies aims to do everything with a sense of purpose. With a vision of creating a better future, the organisation has supported numerous charitable organisations and initiatives over the years, positively impacting communities across the Northwest. Their sustainability and environmental goals range from the introduction of zero emission deliveries across the Liverpool City Region, LED lighting replacement scheme, the procurement of environmentally friendly materials, and supporting customers in their local programmes, which contributes to a more sustainable future for the construction industry. As Sovini Trade Supplies looks ahead to the next ten years, and beyond, it remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With a strong foundation built over the past decade, the company is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the years to come. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Sovini Trade Supplies will be hosting a series of events and promotions throughout the year, culminating in an anniversary celebration with employees, customers, and partners. For more information about Sovini Trade Supplies, please visit www.sovinitradesupplies.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henley Stone Specialists, BCM GRC and Smart Crosby International (SCI) have joined forces to launch a single source solution for the full design, manufacture, supply, and installation of GRC wall cladding systems. Construction firm Henley Stone Specialists, the UK’s leading installer of high-grade Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete, BCM GRC Ltd, leading UK GRC manufacturer, and top engineering design specialists Smart Crosby International (SCI), have launched a comprehensive single source solution for the design, manufacture, and installation of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC). This collaboration signifies a landmark moment for the UK GRC market, making the entire process more time-efficient and cost-effective for the end client. With over 90 years of combined experience within the UK GRC market and as long-standing members of the GRCA, this formidable trio already have a comprehensive track record of successfully and collaboratively delivering high-volume, top-quality, prestigious GRC cladding projects from design through to installation. With all aspects of the process provided by UK factories and offices, each company is an expert in their discipline aiming to offer clients an unrivaled package for GRC cladding requirements. The benefits of the collaboration are significant, providing more durability and minimal project maintenance, alongside a reduced construction phase and efficient delivery programme. In addition to this, GRC is a more sustainable solution for the environment, by significantly reducing carbon footprint due to a streamlined process. Shaun Henley, Founder and Managing Director of Henley Stone Specialists, commented: “We are delighted to be working alongside our partners BCM and SCI, this collaboration could be a landmark moment in the UK GRC construction sector. It is the first time a single-point solution for GRC has been offered to the UK market. With Henley Construction Management Group having recently launched our HZS stainless steel division the timing of the new venture is perfect. Our new division gives us the capability to produce our own, in-house stainless-steel brackets and fixings for all GRC projects. With our manufacturing capabilities and expertise in GRC installation, this joint venture will be sure to create more efficiencies and accuracy for our valued clients.” Darin Ballington, Director at BCM GRC Ltd added: “We’ve got a long-standing history of collaborating on projects with Henley Stone Specialists, so it seemed a natural fit to formally launch a new collaborative offering to the market – we’re excited to see what the future brings and to work on the highest of quality projects together.” John Dunthorne, Managing Director at SCI said: “We’re proud to be part of this new offering and the benefits it will bring clients across the industry. We will, of course, continue to work with other partners across the industry, but this collaboration will allow us to streamline specific joint projects and make them more cost-effective and efficient.” Significant collaboration projects between Henley Construction Management Group, BCM, and SCI include the supply, design, and installation of GRC on the Halo Project – a 7-story 116,000 sq ft Grade A office in Bristol that received a BREEAM Outstanding rating, in addition to The Charterhouse, a 206,000sq ft office and retail development in Farringdon, and Brentford Block D, a mixed-use project which provided 102 new homes in central Brentford. For more information on this comprehensive solution for GRC and to view a full list of services, benefits, and case studies, call Henley Group on 01924 472277 or email info@henleystone.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries has opened a brand new asphalt plant to serve Staffordshire and the surrounding areas as part of a £9m investment. The Cauldon plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands is based next to the company’s existing Cauldon Low Quarry, which will serve the plant with materials. The investment is the first new asphalt plant to be built by the company since 2013 and it will provide asphalt for ongoing road maintenance and infrastructure projects across Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire and the M6 corridor. Specialist plant supplier Ammann was commissioned to install its Ammann ABP 240 Universal Asphalt-Mixing Plant which can produce 240 tonnes of asphalt an hour. It is hoped once at full capacity the plant will be capable of producing more than 250,000 tonnes a year. As well as the mixing plant and control room, the site has four bitumen tanks and a range of open and covered materials storage bays with a direct feed into the plant via conveyors. An on-site laboratory is under construction and will provide technical support and testing facilities for products. The new plant also has the ability to accommodate high volumes of RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) which can be reused into new products and supply of stone from the adjacent quarry will reduce lorry movements and carbon emissions. Importantly, the inbuilt systems and processes are highly energy efficient resulting in a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions when compared to a traditional asphalt plant, and the latest technology is in place to reduce noise, dust and odours. Thomas Edgcumbe, Managing Director for Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions division, said: “We’re really proud to be investing in this brand new facility to serve our customers with a range of base, binder and surface course products across Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. “It will be a real asset to the many projects in that region whether they be National Highways or local authority led. “The benefits of a new plant and state-of-the-art equipment are immediately evident and very much centred on reliability and efficiency. From surety of supply from our adjacent quarry, which also means less incoming deliveries, to reduced carbon emissions due to the technology utilised and the high volume of RAP we can accommodate going forward, it all adds up to a more efficient and effective operation which will benefit our customers. “We are also looking forward to being part of the wider community and have a number of projects we will be contributing towards to support local good causes.” The facility has completed its final testing and commissioning phase and is now fully open for business. For more information on Aggregate Industries visit: www.aggregate.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Knauf Insulation has launched Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems, a range of complete tested systems designed to simplify specification and support compliance in cladding and masonry façades. The systems consist of sheathing insulation, fixings, and cavity barriers. “The Building Safety Act places much more scrutiny on everyone working on high-risk buildings,” said Luke Davies, Rock Mineral Wool Product Manager at Knauf Insulation. “The ‘gateways’ it introduces, plus the ever-stricter compliance criteria of the Building Regulations, mean it’s never been more important to get your specification right. That’s why we’ve launched these systems – to make it easier for specifiers to meet these challenging requirements with a single system, backed up by rigorous test data.” The Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems combine existing Knauf Insulation rainscreen products with a series of new cavity barrier solutions, including open state cavity barriers with an intumescent strip, a closed state cavity barrier, and further additions to Knauf Insulation’s innovative face-fixed masonry cavity barrier range launched last year. The full range of cavity barriers enables specifiers to choose the system that best meets their fire performance needs, confident it has been tested to the relevant standards. Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems can be used with the major substrate types, including blockwork, steel, and timber. The full range of cavity barriers consists of: Rocksilk® RainScreen FireStop Slab is a cavity barrier manufactured from rock mineral wool, suitable for use as a vertical cavity barrier in buildings with a ventilated cavity, and vertically and horizontally in buildings with masonry façades. Rocksilk® RainScreen OSCB and OSCB Plus are horizontal cavity barriers manufactured from rock mineral wool, shrink wrapped with a reactive intumescent strip, for use in ventilated cavities up to 450mm. Rocksilk® RainScreen FFCB is a patented cavity barrier made from rock mineral wool, that is designed to be face-fixed to Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab as the masonry façade is constructed. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification and is manufactured using our unique bio-based binder, ECOSE® Technology. It is the only cavity barrier that can be fixed to the face of the sheathing insulation without needing to cut into it, which reduces waste, saves time and protects performance. Each cavity barrier has been tested as part of a system with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab sheathing insulation to provide fire resistance in the appropriate rainscreen façade applications. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab sheathing insulation is non-combustible rock mineral wool and suitable for use in higher-risk buildings, and at any height. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has Agrément certificates from the BBA for the broadest range of build-ups and the widest range of thicknesses of any rainscreen solution on the market. For more information about Knauf Insulation Rocksilk® RainScreen Cavity Systems, visit knaufinsulation.co.uk/rainscreen-cavity-systems. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John Nash’s last surviving church gets a new Welsh Slate roof. The only surviving church by the Georgian/Regency architect John Nash is enjoying a new lease of life in its bicentenary, thanks to Welsh Slate. All Souls Church, in the Harley Street Conservation Area of Marylebone, London, has been reroofed with 20″ x 12″ County-grade Penrhyn Heather Blue slates from Welsh Slate as part of a wholescale refurbishment of the iconic Grade I listed building. The first phase, to the external fabric, required a temporary roof and full scaffolding reaching to the top of the spire which now has ability to light up in any colour to suit the seasons and festivities. The scaffolding had to be engineered in great detail as the church occupies 100% of its ownership footprint. The Welsh slates were installed over 240m2 of the main nave roof, which has a pitch of 28°, using 38mm thick copper nails, and the flat roofs of the aisles, half of which had been covered in copper after the Second World War, were laid with 16 tonnes of lead, by roofing contractors Lead Roof Solutions for main contractor Quinn London. The roof, which is hipped at the south-west end and incorporates a timber louvred structure for ventilation, is also fitted with several conservation rooflights which sit flush with the slates. To improve ventilation, the Welsh slates were counter-battened to raise the roof level, and to incorporate this, secret gutters were used at the abutments and around the rooflights. A slate and a half were employed on all abutments, and ridges and hips were finished with a lead roll and wing detail. Although the church was built in 1824, it was damaged by bombing in 1940 and the roof was renewed during the post-war rebuild, so the Welsh slates that were most recently replaced were likely to be about 75 years old, if they were installed new. Specifiers Matthew Lloyd Architects, who specialise in historic and heritage buildings and are a conservation-accredited practice, have specified Welsh Slate on numerous occasions for a variety of church and secular buildings. Director Alex Sherratt explained that during All Souls’ quinquennial inspection in 2019 it was identified that the slate roof and remaining areas of copper roof had numerous defects and were near the end of their serviceable lives. In addition, there were a number of stonework and other issues which required attention. The client, the parochial church council, therefore decided to carry out a single conservation project on the entire external building fabric, to leave it in the best condition possible for its bicentenary in 2024. The conservation work required the use of traditional materials, consistent with those that would have been used on the original building in 1824. So, as the project largely consisted of like-for-like conservation work, Westminster deemed that planning permission was not necessary for anything other than the re-lighting of the spire, which was a component part of the project. The project was also subject to permission from the Diocese of London, who were supportive of the proposals. Consultees also included the Georgian Group and Historic England. Alex said: “Welsh Slate was the natural choice, as the church would always have been roofed in Welsh Slate from its original construction in 1824. Re-roofing the nave in Welsh Slate was possibly the most significant element of the project, as it prevents problems with ongoing water ingress, and contributes greatly to the longevity of the roof, and the church as a whole. “The church is an iconic building, occupying a key position on Regent Street, and is highly visible from the surrounding streets, therefore the aesthetic qualities of Welsh Slate were a major consideration. The roof at All Souls is overlooked from BBC Broadcasting House and is often used as the backdrop for filming current affairs programmes from the studios and rooftop terraces.” The aesthetics of Welsh Slate were not the only reasons for specification, however. Alex said: “Across the project, British materials were sourced and specified wherever possible, to ensure that historically authentic materials were being used, to support local industries and to minimise the need for transport. “One of the driving factors behind the project was the need to extend the lifespan of the building as far as possible by using appropriately durable materials. The 100+ years of useful life offered by Welsh Slate was an important factor in the selection of Welsh Slate for a roofing material at All Souls. The fact that the material is 100% natural and has a low carbon footprint were also important considerations in the specification of Welsh Slate.” He added: “Welsh Slate was specified for its strength and durability, and for the aesthetic qualities given by its purple hue. Physical performance of the slates was one of the key drivers for the project, and the Penrhyn slates were selected for their particular suitability to the roof at All Souls. The combination of Welsh Slate and lead provides authentic and robust weathering details throughout. “The client body recognises the significance of the church, and their responsibility as custodians of a significant heritage asset to use the best possible materials in the repair of the building. They are totally committed to the use of appropriate materials and are delighted by the result.” Andy Mead of Lead Roof Solutions said: “Although All Souls Church is a very significant building, the actual reroofing project was straightforward. We have used Welsh Slate on many a project and they are always a joy to work with.” Phase Two of the refurbishment of the church, which attracts 1,500 visitors per week, will focus on its interior. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jewson Live, the annual event for the UK’s professional tradespeople is back – and for the first time ever, will be touring the UK. Hosted by national builders’ merchant Jewson – now part of STARK UK – Jewson Live will begin its tour with its flagship live event at the Birmingham NEC on Friday 26 th April – which is entering its seventh year. Jewson Live On Tour will then head to Kent Exhibition Centre, Maidstone, on Thursday 16 th May; SEC, Glasgow, on Thursday 6 th June, and Westpoint, Exeter, on Thursday 13 th June. Each of the four events will feature a full programme, running from 8am to 2pm, covering three distinct areas – the Trading Zone, Future Zone, and Wellbeing Zone. In each zone, high profile speakers and trade experts will share the latest industry news and developments, detailing how they impact tradespeople on a day-to-day basis. There will be product demos and exclusive on-the-day deals available from many of the 150 Jewson suppliers and partners exhibiting, as well as a wealth of competitions and giveaways. Darts legend Phil Taylor and darts commentator Emma Paton will host the show at the NEC, with several other celebrity guests expected to make an appearance. The NEC show will also be used to officially launch Jewson’s company rebrand, with representatives of parent group STARK UK taking to the main stage to explain more about the company’s vision for the future. Attendees will also get a sneak preview of Jewson’s ‘branch of the future’, which will provide insights into the transformation of the Jewson brand and how it is changing to meet the future needs of the trades. In addition, the winners of Jewson’s inaugural Making Better Homes Awards – celebrating the UK’s tradespeople dedicated to building sustainable homes – will be announced. Businesses will take home the winning prizes for each of the competition’s three categories – Best Use of Renewable Energy in a Project, Best Building Fabric in a Project, and Sustainable Project of the Year. John Carter, CEO of STARK UK – part of STARK Group, which acquired a collection of businesses including Jewson from Saint-Gobain in March 2023 – said: “Jewson Live has long been recognised as one of the standout exhibitions in the construction calendar. With the industry facing a particularly challenging period, we believe this is the perfect time to support the UK’s tradespeople even more and host a series of live events that builders and tradespeople can look forward to and get a lot out of. “We’re proud to partner the trades and that’s why we’re offering not one but four regional events to give our hardworking customers and industry friends a great day out. Ourbranches are at the heart of communities, so it makes a lot of sense to take Jewson Live on tour – bringing it closer to the people we work with every day.“Jewson Live On Tour is something we’ve been thinking about for a long time, and we’re proud to say what was once just an idea is now coming to life. We’ll bring our suppliers and partners on the road with us, so existing, returning and prospective customers can enjoy all the benefits of Jewson Live much closer to home. “Each event promises to be informative, productive and invaluable for tradespeople who want to grow their business; and as well as that, it’ll be exciting and a lot of fun. We can’t wait to see everyone there.”Register here for any of the Jewson Live On Tour shows. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As part of its major investment project at its Burton on Trent tile plant Russell Roof Tiles is installing state-of-the-art equipment which will support the firm’s Net Zero ambitions. Russell Roof Tiles (RRT), is the leading independent manufacturer of concrete roof tiles and last year it announced a milestone £18.5m investment programme, which should be complete by later in 2024. Part of the project includes the installation of new state of the art Skako Concrete ‘High Silo’ batching plant, complete with AM2250 planetary mixer to facilitate increased concrete roof tile production. Installation should be complete by Easter. This whole project is the largest single investment since Russell Roof Tiles was acquired (from Cemex) in 2011 by Crown Global Equity, which manufactures concrete roof tiles in the US and Mexico. Since then, the UK company has seen £17.3m invested in its three sites, continuing to increase efficiencies and capacity to meet demand. Not only is the new batching plant being installed whilst the tile plant continues to manufacture but it will have increased efficiencies as well as sustainable benefits such as a water reclamation and refiltering system, that allows for recycling of all wash water, including using wash water from the factory. This will reduce the firm’s use of fresh water, and significantly reduce waste. Russell Roof Tiles has been actively seeking ways to reduce its environmental impact, including investing in more energy-efficient equipment, optimising its production processes, and sourcing more sustainable materials as part of its Net Zero pledge, to ensure the company becomes carbon neutral by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Government’s timeline. The new Skako Concrete batching plant replaces Russell Roof Tiles old and inefficient 1990’s batching plant and concrete mixer and was designed to meet increased production demand as well as allow for further capacity increases in the future. The much larger volume system will be able to handle the sand, cement, and pigment needed to feed a new mixing plant and in-turn roof tile production line. The challenge for the company was to ensure that installation of the new batching plant did not interfere with currently tile production on site in Burton on Trent. Bruce Laidlaw, Operations Director at Russell Roof Tiles said: “It is important that we continue to focus on efficiencies and sustainability across this major project, looking at market leading environmental options throughout the new facility. For example, this type of mixer is up to 20 per cent more energy efficient than alternatives available. He added “Other energy efficiencies include using gravity to feed sand into the mixer below. Over time this saves a huge amount of energy moving sand. The Skako Concrete solution of holding such amount of sand above the mixer has allowed for the footprint to be compressed and thus install the full equipment within a much smaller area.” Further benefits of the new equipment will include 2 x 100T cement silo’s allowing for more flexibility in receiving cement deliveries, allowing RRT to take volume cement deliveries around the clock and avoiding peak traffic times. Utilising the latest technology, the system also provides remote operating from the factory floor, as well as remote diagnostics to minimise down time. The project installation has been managed by Skako Concrete, fully utilising their UK and European team. The project has been complex due to the continued operation of the production facility and site throughout the works. In addition, much of the work has been completed during the winter months, which has added to its complexity. Gareth Hulcup, SKAKO Concrete Sales Manager for the UK and Irish markets said: “The installation of the new batching plant has been the culmination of many months of meticulous planning by all stakeholders to ensure seamless integration of the new plant on site. We would like to thank Andrew Hayward, Bruce and all at Russell Roof Tiles for the opportunity to provide our solutions for the redevelopment of the site at Burton and contribute to their Net Zero pledge”. Russell Roof Tiles is a leading independent pitched roof tile manufacturer supplying products for the top housebuilders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects. The company produces thousands of tiles every week that are used on roofs across the UK, for all of the UK’s premier housebuilders, social housing projects, architects and developers. www.russellrooftiles.com @russellrooftile www.skako.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
