Nick Parsons, Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Group, Clare Hayward MBE DL High Sheriff of Cheshire and Cllr Simon Whittaker, Mayor of Middlewich opened a new AKW manufacturing facility in Middlewich, Cheshire. AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessibility solutions, is pleased to announce the opening of its
Loughborough, UK: Energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group has opened a multi-million-pound world-class transformer test cell facility at its transformer manufacturing facility in Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. The facility, housed in a huge former workshop at the firm’s iconic Falcon Works in the Leicestershire town, will put newly built power transformers
The UK faces several challenges in achieving its net zero ambitions by 2050. Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Carl Perrin, highlights three of them and what we, at Coventry University Group, are doing to ensure a cleaner tomorrow. The UK is committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050. This statement has
Wales & West Utilities commissions study on hydrogen infrastructure to determine the viability of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to UK consumers. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been selected by Wales & West Utilities (“WWU”) to lead a study exploring how hydrogen refuelling stations can be integrated into the UK’s
Adaptavate, a global leader in the development and industrialisation of low-carbon and carbon-negative construction materials, has announced the production of the world’s first carbon-negative technology to produce plasterboards. The leap from producing low-carbon construction materials to now providing an additional carbon-negative product comes through the incorporation of char – produced
Start-ups tackling some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges have the chance to supercharge their business and pilot their technology with Amazon, as part of the third edition of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. The 15 starts-ups from across Europe will benefit from a four-week programme featuring expert-led workshops, specialised mentorship,
PROCODE BOSS PLEDGES TO FINISH BRITAIN’S SMART ROLLOUT The UK’s first Smart Innovation Superhub has opened in the heart of the UK’s Silicon Beach, ready to fast-track the smart rollout through to completion with long-awaited and life-changing innovation. Procode is Great Britain’s first Smart Innovation Superhub which brings together a
Developed specifically for the UK market, Reynaers Aluminium has launched its long-awaited new generation, high usage anti-finger trap thermal commercial door and framing system. Featuring a unique slim bulb-style with a radius of only 40mm, a profile sightline of 81mm, and achieving a U-value as low as 1.1W/m2K, Vision 7
New venture to partner with governments, academia and businesses to tackle global challenges… BEP Surface Technologies, a leading metal surface specialist, has launched an innovation arm, BEP Solutions, to accelerate international R&D partnerships to solve global challenges. Leveraging 54 years of engineering know-how and using leading-edge digital techniques, BEP Solutions
The company has acquired 40,000 square meters of land in Lancashire to establish a new production plant, the second in the region. Carl Gardner has been appointed General Manager UK and Regional Director UK, Nordics and the Netherlands Kerakoll Group, an international leader in sustainable building with B Corp status,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Nick Parsons, Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Group, Clare Hayward MBE DL High Sheriff of Cheshire and Cllr Simon Whittaker, Mayor of Middlewich opened a new AKW manufacturing facility in Middlewich, Cheshire. AKW, one of the UK’s leading providers of accessibility solutions, is pleased to announce the opening of its sizeable new showroom and manufacturing facility in Middlewich, Cheshire. AKW is proud to continue investing in British manufacturing and the 26,000 sq ft facility will produce accessible bathroom and kitchen products from across the company’s portfolio. In addition, the site includes offices and a large bathroom and kitchen showroom and client assessment centre, to enable Occupational Therapists, contractors, and other specifiers in the North West to experience AKW’s product range in situ and receive product training as needed. Following the acquisition of Contour Showers Limited in 2022, it quickly became clear that the existing Contour facility in Winsford would not be able to meet AKW’s manufacturing requirements. A new production site in Total Park, Middlewich, was subsequently taken on under a long-term lease and the layout amended during construction to suit AKW’s needs. Located three miles from junction 18 of the M6, AKW’s new facility is EPC A-rated and features roof mounted solar panels which will generate an estimated 15,000 kWh electricity per year for the site. Alongside AKW staff, all of the Winsford site’s employees have made the move to the facility and a fuel allowance, free transport service and hybrid working have been set up to make the transition easier. Nick Parsons, Executive Chairperson of AKW Holdings Groupcomments: “The opening of this showroom and manufacturing facility makes AKW the largest producer of bathroom and kitchen adaptation solutions in the North West. We are very proud of the reputation that AKW has built up over the years for providing high quality inclusive bathroom and kitchen solutions that stand the test of time. With the opening of the Middlewich facility, now even more installers, specifiers and end users across the region will be able to experience the exceptional AKW and understand why our strapline is ‘Life Made Better’.” To find out more about the new facility visit https://akw-ltd.co.uk/akw-opens-parsons-house/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Loughborough, UK: Energy engineering solutions provider BRUSH Group has opened a multi-million-pound world-class transformer test cell facility at its transformer manufacturing facility in Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. The facility, housed in a huge former workshop at the firm’s iconic Falcon Works in the Leicestershire town, will put newly built power transformers through their paces before being shipped out to BRUSH customers. Key customer representatives joined BRUSH employees for the official opening of the test cell which features a high-voltage acoustic test area with 12-metre-high doors. From this new testing facility, BRUSH has the capability to conduct a comprehensive range of tests on its transformers, ensuring they surpass the high standards of performance the company’s customers have come to expect. With dedicated storage for up to four of BRUSH’s biggest transformer units, the facility allows the company to significantly increase its production capacity to meet the UK’s fast-growing demand for power transformers as the country gears up for decarbonisation. The test cell also enables BRUSH to offer the most comprehensive suite of routine and type tests for transformers up to 170kV, both new builds and retrofit units. Energy efficient by design, with a whole raft of health and safety features, the purpose-built, high-capacity space is both IEC (BSEN) and ENA compliant. Nicolas Pitrat, CEO of BRUSH Group said: “We’re seeing rapidly increasing demand for power transformers from all segments of our customer base in the UK, from power networks operators and renewable energy producers to public infrastructure providers and commercial developers. “Opening of our new world-class test cell here in Loughborough allows us to keep pace with that demand and play our part in the domestic supply chain, enabling energy producers and consumers to connect to the grid and accelerate towards net zero. “I’m really proud of what the team at BRUSH has achieved with this latest investment, and especially pleased with our team of new engineering apprentices who have come on board to support our growth including operating the new test cell.” The range of tests offered includes winding resistance, CT tests, core and frame insulation, capacitance and insulation power factor, short-circuit impedance, load loss / no-load loss, applied voltage, NVD bushing capacitance, impulse test, temperature rise test, hot spot measurement, SFRA, RSO, tank vibrations and sound levels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK faces several challenges in achieving its net zero ambitions by 2050. Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Carl Perrin, highlights three of them and what we, at Coventry University Group, are doing to ensure a cleaner tomorrow. The UK is committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050. This statement has been echoed repeatedly in recent years, yet there remain several serious challenges to this ambitious mission. To mark Net Zero Week and with a new Labour government coming into power, it seemed an appropriate time to explore some of these challenges and discuss how Sir Keir Starmer might go about addressing them in the months and years to come. The first is centred around energy and technology uncertainty. Concerns remain about the role of key energy alternatives like hydrogen. There are doubts around the removal of greenhouse gases and carbon leakage, and the pathway to net zero has been scrutinised with questions persisting over the mix of technologies and energy sources required to achieve it. Through our research into green battery technology, hydrogen power and future transport we are committed to working with partners to ease this uncertainty and deliver solutions to complex environmental concerns. Research is just one side of the coin, however, and we must continue to build partnerships in education, industry and policy to develop a positive narrative around green energy and emerging technologies. Net zero strategy The UK emissions trading scheme (EMS) is central to the net zero strategy but addressing carbon leakage remains a challenge. Policies like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or a Mandatory Product Standard would certainly be a step in the right direction. They would help ensure the UK not only has optimal environmental policies for decarbonisation but is also putting in place preventive measures to ensure these emissions are not shifted elsewhere. These are steps we are taking within our university group through our Decarbonisation Strategy. As a document, this informs our net zero carbon response by not only providing a route map to reducing emission but also placing targets on our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in the years to come. Finally, to reach net zero carbon, electricity will have to get cleaner and there will need to be a lot more of it. Electricity demand is expected to rise as more systems including cars, buses and, in some circumstances heating, will be running on electrical power. Greenpower Park Located at the heart of the UK’s manufacturing industry, the Greenpower Park is a trailblazing centre of excellence for electrification, battery technology and manufacturing, and represents a perfect example of what must become the norm if we are to produce and deliver cleaner, more efficient electricity. As a university group, we’re incredibly proud to be directly involved in this ground-breaking location which seeks to foster the UK’s growing battery ecosystem by offering an all-in-one solution for battery research, industrialisation, manufacturing, testing, recycling and electrified logistics. Researchers at Coventry University Group are attempting to meet these three major challenges head on at a national and international level, helping communities and habitats to regenerate themselves by engaging with citizens, with businesses and with technology. Our commitment to creating better futures for the communities around us is at the heart of much that we do and it is imperative that we, along with our partners in academia, industry and government continue to address these issues and deliver innovative solutions for a cleaner tomorrow. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wales & West Utilities commissions study on hydrogen infrastructure to determine the viability of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles to UK consumers. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been selected by Wales & West Utilities (“WWU”) to lead a study exploring how hydrogen refuelling stations can be integrated into the UK’s existing gas network. The research, funded by Ofgem, will explore the potential of using the UK’s natural gas network – which provides energy to homes, businesses, and large industry – as hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in anticipation of increased demand for zero emissions vehicles. Specifically, the research will consider infrastructure solutions which increase the viability of hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). These low emission vehicles could be a sustainable alternative to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, thanks to hydrogen having a similar refuelling process. The technology offers advantages for heavy-duty vehicles which typically have high daily mileage and limited refuelling windows. The study is part of a WWU initiative called HyDrive, which seeks to address the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Wales and the south west of England. Costain’s researchers will consult key regional stakeholders to understand current road transport demands, model and forecast future demands on the network, and recommend potential locations where existing petrol stations could be converted to hydrogen refuellers. The report’s insights into the economics of implementing the technology, and how it will impact consumers in a future transition, will point the way for gas distribution networks to work with hydrogen producers and refuelling infrastructure providers to help deliver demonstrable long-term savings for consumers as part of the energy transition. Laura Hughes, energy sector director at Costain, commented: “Hydrogen will play an important role in the UK’s decarbonisation and energy transition ambitions. Through its HyDrive initiative, Wales & West Utilities is leading the way and our research will help improve understanding of the hurdles which need to be overcome to make hydrogen-powered vehicles a reality. “Costain has a rich catalogue of expertise in this field and a deep understanding of how to handle hydrogen safely. This will ensure the report is grounded in practical implementation and ultimately delivers robust, actionable findings”. Matthew Hindle, head of net zero and sustainability at Wales and West Utilities added: “HyDrive is a hugely important initiative for us as we seek to reduce carbon emissions across Wales and the south west of England. Having successfully trialled a hydrogen van earlier this year, one of the challenges was the lack of hydrogen refuelling in the area. The trial required us to set up a bespoke hydrogen refuelling eco-system and clearly highlighted the need for permanent infrastructure if FCEVs are to become a reality. HyDrive will help identify the ways in which our extensive gas network could support hydrogen refuelling in the future. “For this project we were seeking a partner who could demonstrate an immediate, detailed understanding of our requirements, complete with a relevant portfolio of experience. Costain ticked all boxes. The lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is not confined to our region and we’re optimistic the project will produce a model which can be used by the broader industry and accelerate the sector’s complicated but pressing road to net zero.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Adaptavate, a global leader in the development and industrialisation of low-carbon and carbon-negative construction materials, has announced the production of the world’s first carbon-negative technology to produce plasterboards. The leap from producing low-carbon construction materials to now providing an additional carbon-negative product comes through the incorporation of char – produced by the pyrolysis of ligno-cellulosic materials. This locks the CO2 sequestered by plants into a stable state, and subsequently into the board, preventing it from being released through decay. Incorporating char makes the current technology to produce Breathaboard genuine permanent carbon-storage, as an alternative to plasterboard which absorbs and stores more carbon than it produces. Importantly, this has been quantified by Adaptavate’s independent, industry verified carbon calculation tool to the latest EN 15804+A2 standard. Adaptavate’s innovative technology allows for CO2 savings through both its product formulation and manufacturing methods. The company repurposes ligno-cellulosic wastes, combining them with minerals and a small amount of water to create a flat board material. Unlike conventional board production, this process requires no natural gas and can absorb low concentration CO2 in the curing process, which can be sourced from industrial emissions during the curing stage. Tom Robinson, founder and CEO at Adaptavate, says: “Our new carbon-negative and carbon-storing technology marks a significant milestone and step forward not only for Adaptavate, a business I founded a decade ago, but also for the global construction industry as a whole. Plasterboard is one of the most heavily used construction material after cement and steel, in an industry that produces around 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. As a former builder, the potential impact of putting carbon storing building materials in the hands of every builder, architect and developer around the world as a drop-in solution is massive in our global endeavour to decarbonise construction. This announcement demonstrates with a real-world example of how we can do this and have a successful business on a global scale.” The development of this new climate-positive technology and the pilot line for the board’s production has been made possible by UK Government grants (Innovate UK), and investment from a group of climate-focused businesses dedicated to accelerating carbon removal within the construction industry, including Counteract, Perivoli Innovations, Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2 (LCIF2), and SEMIN Group. Jeff Ive, CTO at Adaptavate, says: “The production of full-sized permanently carbon-storing plasterboard is a major step forward for Adaptavate and the scale up of our regenerative material solutions. We have brought together a systemic solution for carbon dioxide removal that is required on a global scale, and matched it with a product that is used on a similar scale. With our licencing business model, we aim to deliver these systemic innovations at a rate that the planet needs them. The innovations’ development is thanks to the expert international team we have at our Bristol headquarters. With their knowledge, skills and dedication we have produced a game changing carbon-storing product with a comparable performance to the incumbent. The past few years of innovation in this space have been exciting for us, and we can see that this core technology has some important attributes that could be well used in a diverse product portfolio.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Start-ups tackling some of the world’s biggest sustainability challenges have the chance to supercharge their business and pilot their technology with Amazon, as part of the third edition of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. The 15 starts-ups from across Europe will benefit from a four-week programme featuring expert-led workshops, specialised mentorship, a tailored curriculum and access to a network of entrepreneurs in the sustainability sector. This year, for the first time, they also have the opportunity to pitch their technology for a trial in Amazon’s European operations, opening doors to future partnerships and Europe-wide implementation, earning them up to €2m each. The 15 selected start-ups span a diverse range of geographies and demographics, headquartered across 10 countries and together employing more than 600 people. From tackling issues arising from fast fashion, to reusable packaging and AI, the start-ups are focused on scaling their business in one of three categories: circular economy, energy in buildings, and packaging. Since launching in 2022, the Accelerator has supported more than 25 start-ups across the UK and Europe, provided over US $1 million in grants and credits, and helped participating businesses increase total sales on average by 700% and raise over €18.7 million to date. This year, Dublin based HT Materials Science joins the Accelerator. Founded in 2018, the start-up has developed a simple retrofit solution that improves heating and cooling systems. The technology can be added to any existing commercial and industrial heating and cooling system, reducing energy consumption and enabling cost savings. “Building operations pose one of the most vexing challenges in the fight against climate change. Between 1990 and 2020, energy used for cooling tripled and will continue to increase as global economies expand and temperatures rise,” said Thomas Grizzetti, CEO of HT Materials Science, “Our Maxwell heat transfer fluids offer an immediate, cost-effective way to reduce the energy consumption of environmental and industrial cooling and heating systems by up to 15% while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. We believe Amazon’s Sustainability Accelerator Program will help us expand our reach to more clients and facilities around the world that can benefit from Maxwell.” In the UK, three start-ups join the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator: ACS Clothing, Cheesecake Energy and Breathe Batteries. Glasgow-based ACS Clothing works with renowned brands and retailers like The North Face and Timberlandto extend the life of garments via its cleaning and repair service. Cheesecake Energy, a University of Nottingham spinout, has developed a technology system that stores surplus energy generated by a solar power plant during the day, to provide access to renewable energy for the site during non-solar producing hours. Based in London, Breathe Batteries, has built a software that can be used in any lithium-ion battery to enhance its performance and improve the charging time and lifecycle. The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a four-week programme designed to help start-ups navigate the challenges of scaling a sustainability business. Participants will meet and work with experts in Amazon’s Sustainability, Climate Pledge Fund and Climate Pledge Friendly teams, attend workshops, receive mentorship and €10,000 worth of AWS Activate Credits. For the first time this year, start-ups will have the opportunity to pitch to key decision makers for the chance to integrate their cutting-edge innovation directly into parts of Amazon’s business. During the four weeks, they will benefit from tailored support to help align them to Amazon’s needs and goals, following which they will pitch their pilots. Three start-ups will be selected to partake in an eight to ten week programme to scope their pilot with the intention to launch, earning them a potential contribution from Amazon of between €50,000 to €2 million, depending on duration and scope. “I’m so excited to welcome 15 ambitious start-ups to join the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator this year, including our first ever Climate Tech Pilot,” said Zak Watts, Amazon’s International Director of Sustainability. “The scope of businesses involved means we can support even more entrepreneurs to reach their potential. Not to mention the one-of-a-kind opportunity to test their technology directly with parts of Amazon’s business. It is our mission for the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator to be the best programme of its kind in the world for entrepreneurs to pioneer and scale cutting-edge sustainable solutions.” This year’s expanded Amazon Sustainability Accelerator is a partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation agency, and innovation strategy consultants Founders Intelligence, part of Accenture. The Amazon Sustainability Accelerator start-ups were chosen from hundreds of applications, with each of the selected start-ups bringing an innovative solution, strong sustainability credentials, and high growth potential to the table. The later-stage start-ups have moved beyond prototype testing and are working towards generating initial revenue and growing operations, having been selected from three key areas: circular economy, energy in buildings and packaging. Ezra Konvitz, Director & Head of Accelerators, Founders Intelligence: “We love finding the ways major companies can work with leading start-ups creating the future. The incredible start-ups and technologies that are part of the Pilot Challenge cohort give cause for hope – if we can help them find the best ways to work with Amazon’s scale we’ll achieve a game-changing impact.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PROCODE BOSS PLEDGES TO FINISH BRITAIN’S SMART ROLLOUT The UK’s first Smart Innovation Superhub has opened in the heart of the UK’s Silicon Beach, ready to fast-track the smart rollout through to completion with long-awaited and life-changing innovation. Procode is Great Britain’s first Smart Innovation Superhub which brings together a team of 300+ developers – many with two decades of experience in this space – to deliver smart enhancements and solutions designed to improve the standard of living for UK citizens and cut public spending. The Smart Superhub’s innovations are expected to benefit at least a third of smart-enabled households by the end of next year. Ian Burgess, Managing Director of Procode, is the leading innovator in the smart space, being the driving force behind the UK’s first ever specialist Smart Pay As You Go (PAYG) supplier, Utilita. More recently, Ian and his team have created the UK’s first smart data communications adapter to rectify the inefficiencies and connectivity black spots consumers have been forced to endure by the national smart network operator. He comments on the launch: “The government’s 2013 smart rollout began with the intention of smart-enabling every home and business in the UK. It failed because it was back to front – a bit like giving every household a car, but a decade before roads had been invented. The features and benefits associated with becoming smart-enabled just weren’t there, and as a result only half of the UK’s households accepted one and a large cohort refused to accept one. “For more than two decades our agile team has been pushing smart experimentation barriers to identify solutions and technologies that can provide a better standard of living for each individual household, and more holistically, for us all as a nation moving towards net zero. Our innovations have provided evidence that smart connectivity is the solution to many of the UK’s biggest challenges.” Examples of Procode’s Pioneering Innovations Bill Bullen is founder and CEO of the Luxion Group, parent brand of Procode, Utilita Energy, and Canary Care Smart Independent Living. He comments: “Innovating socially responsible and financially beneficial features to make smart meters a must-have is a far more economical way to complete the rollout. We have created a 300-strong team to deliver innovations that will give the smart rollout the shot in the arm that it so desperately needs. “As the CEO and founder of the ninth largest domestic energy supplier, we have successfully smart-enabled 95% of our households and we have done so by innovating the smart PAYG offering so that it’s too good to miss out on. The launch of Procode is an extension of that – adding indisputable value to the lives of those who choose to have a smart meter.” The UK’s slow-moving smart rollout journey Smart Energy Great Britain is a not-for-profit company which is fully funded by the UK’s domestic energy suppliers as per the Conditions of Electricity & Gas Supply, Electricity Distribution and Gas Transporter Licences.[1] After missing its original 2019 target to complete the rollout, the government adjusted its deadlines a further three times and reduced its target installation levels for smart meters from “all homes and small businesses” in 2019, to its current target of 74.5% of homes and nearly 69% of small businesses to have smart meters by the end of 2025. At the end of March 2023, more than a decade after the rollout started, only 57% of all electricity and gas meters were smart.[2] The UK’s own ‘Silicon Beach’ Procode’s Smart Innovation Superhub is based in Eastleigh, Southampton – the heart of the UK’s thriving Silicon Beach – ranked by CBRE as the European tech sector’s fifth largest supercluster.[3] Procode joins major technology innovators such as Starling Bank, Amazon, IBM’s R&D Hub and startups such as Aquark and Audioscenic. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developed specifically for the UK market, Reynaers Aluminium has launched its long-awaited new generation, high usage anti-finger trap thermal commercial door and framing system. Featuring a unique slim bulb-style with a radius of only 40mm, a profile sightline of 81mm, and achieving a U-value as low as 1.1W/m2K, Vision 7 has a unique post-installation adjustable bottom pivot that allows installers to make final adjustments after the door has been installed. Suitable for a range of ground-floor applications such as schools, hospitals, retail outlets, leisure facilities, offices and entrances to large commercial buildings, this thermally broken door is an ideal solution to meet the requirements of sustainability-driven projects and also provides a range of additional advantages applicable throughout the supply chain. Ian Osborne, UK Product Development Manager, said: “We have listened to a range of stakeholders across the industry and considered all the feedback in developing the Vision 7 Thermal Commercial Door to offer a premium combination of optimal performance and ease of production, as well as providing the slimline aesthetics that architects and developers want to see. It can be manufactured up to 3m height and 120Kg weight; leaf width 1.25m. “To maximise value and minimise waste, profiles are supplied in a range of optimised bar lengths including 5.1m, optimal for doors up to 2.5m height. Many profiles are available in half and quarter lengths, and for large doors up to 3m mullions and door styles are available at optimal 6.1m or 6.5m lengths. Transom connections are cut straight to minimise milling and the number of components required. “In addition, the system can be supplied with a range of universal fixation pieces that provide a simple slide and turn solution and ensure that the stock requirements of the system are minimised. There are also many hardware solutions for this system, but we have sourced and tested two key industry suppliers that provide the quality and value suited to the Vision 7 solution. “We have also developed a new style bulb with a radius of only 40mm to enable the production of slim profile doors with a visual width of only 81mm, which in combination with a wide range of finite component details, enables the production of extremely durable doors that can achieve a U-value of 1.4W/m2K with double glazing units and a lower value of 1.1W/m2K with triple glazing. The system can support glass thickness up to 50mm. Standard and HI variants are available. We also supply a 100mm outer frame so that the system can connect seamlessly to MasterLine 8 windows and doors. “Well received by installers, the system has also been built with a unique post-installation pivot adjustment feature to help to save valuable time on site. This feature means that the door only needs to be fitted once, and then bottom pivot adjustments can made without having to remove the door multiple times to make adjustments. “Classic of Reynaers Aluminium, we have concentrated on the details of the product that make it an industry-leading door that is built to last the test of high usage over a long period of time. It achieves a good AWW rating and security and safety of PAS 24:2022 and PANIC: EN 1125+179. The door is subject to continued durability tests and has achieved over 400,000 open and close double swing cycles to date. “Current hardware options include standard hook lock (Part Q compliant, PAS 24: 2022), electric strike, magnetic lock, security lock and lever handle. Coming soon will be face applied panic hardware, concealed panic hardware, access control via solenoid bolt and panic hardware.” Technical Director John McComb added: “Like all of the products in the Reynaers portfolio, the launch is not the end of its development. Our recent launch event included a workshop with some of our customers who currently purchase thermal commercial doors to give them the opportunity to see and test the product, handle the components and provide feedback, which we will use in further developing the product. “We’d like to thank those customers who worked closely with us in developing this UK product and who attended our recent launch event. Vision 7 has seen 18 months of development and testing in conjunction with Reynaers Aluminium UK and our Reynaers product development team in Belgium. “With a comprehensive suite of products offering high performance for the commercial sector we look forward to expanding our offering within the UK market and supporting projects in achieving the best results from a design and performance perspective.” For further information, contact the Reynaers Aluminium team on 0121 421 1999 or visit https://www.reynaers.co.uk/products/aluminium-doors/vision-7. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New venture to partner with governments, academia and businesses to tackle global challenges… BEP Surface Technologies, a leading metal surface specialist, has launched an innovation arm, BEP Solutions, to accelerate international R&D partnerships to solve global challenges. Leveraging 54 years of engineering know-how and using leading-edge digital techniques, BEP Solutions will build on its strong track record of collaborating with governments, academia and businesses to address challenges within existing and emerging industries. From its innovation lab, located at BEP’s headquarters in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, the venture will target new partnerships to develop solutions for long-standing barriers in manufacturing and engineering. The consultancy is poised to make significant contributions in areas such as optimising chill roll processes for leading packaging manufacturers and designing copper-coated canisters to secure long-term nuclear waste storage, prioritising safety and sustainability. BEP works in the plastics, defence, energy, power generation and nuclear sectors and offers unique capabilities to solve contemporary challenges in cutting-edge new industries such as hydrogen and EV battery production. Andrew McClusky, Managing Director of BEP Surface Technologies, said: “For more than half a century BEP has cultivated a research and development mindset to find innovative solutions to metal surface engineering challenges. This has established us as the go-to partner for an impressive list of businesses, universities, and government agencies around the globe. “The launch of BEP Solutions formalises our commitment to further leverage our unique expertise, to strengthen existing partnerships, and to create new ones. A dedicated arm for R&D and innovation offers a conduit to drive transformative advancements to address global challenges.” BEP’s previous collaborations include the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) to develop a novel graphene-impregnated copper coating, a leading global food packaging manufacturer, to achieve chill roll process optimisation; a major defence supplier, undertaking multi-faceted research programmes into surface coatings; and a global nuclear waste management organisation, driving research into the development of copper-coated containers. Other R&D partnerships have included the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), part of the High-Value Manufacturing Catapult, Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Metrology Institute. McClusky added: “We value collaborative partnerships, whether working hand-in-hand with government entities to deliver funded research initiatives, collaborating with prestigious academic institutions in the UK, bringing advanced material innovation to meet the rigorous demands of the defence industry, or providing tailored solutions to private enterprises. “Whether advancing surface technologies, optimising industrial processes, or pioneering new solutions, BEP Solutions is ready to collaborate and make a meaningful impact.” For more information visit https://solutions.bep-st.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The company has acquired 40,000 square meters of land in Lancashire to establish a new production plant, the second in the region. Carl Gardner has been appointed General Manager UK and Regional Director UK, Nordics and the Netherlands Kerakoll Group, an international leader in sustainable building with B Corp status, ramps up its growth plans in the United Kingdom and Northern Europe with the acquisition of 40,000 square meters of land in Lancashire for its new production plant – the second in the UK. Additionally, the company announces the appointment of Carl Gardner as General Manager UK and Director UK, Nordics, and the Netherlands, signalling its strategic focus on international expansion. With construction set to commence by late 2024 and completion expected by spring 2026, the facility in Preston, Lancashire, will add to the one already existing in Leyland, Lancashire, and will serve as a hub for manufacturing and distributing the Group’s products across the UK and Northern Europe. It will be Kerakoll Group’s twentieth production site globally. The investment will lead to an expansion by 30% of the Group’s workforce in the UK as well as a striking 100% increase in production capacity in the country by 2028. In 2023, Kerakoll Group achieved a turnover of £40 million in the UK, supported by a dedicated team of over 130 employees and a strong and loyal customer base. The new plant will leverage green technologies and sustainable practices, such as photovoltaic panels, which are expected to produce 245 kWh per day, and advanced rainwater recycling systems. In line with its B Corp status, Kerakoll Group is committed to achieving Very Good, or above, in the BREEAM rating, an internationally recognised assessment of environmental performance. Carl Gardner will lead the expansion of Kerakoll Group in the UK at a significant moment, with the Group in the process of integrating the brands Kerakoll and Tilemaster Adhesives, a company specialising in ceramic and flooring installation systems it acquired in 2017. Additionally, his appointment is a step toward the implementation of the new International Business Unit of the Group, which also sees Filippo Iacconi, hitherto UK General Manager, assume the role of International Marketing Manager. Carl Gardner brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles in renowned companies, including Saint-Gobain Artex, Travel Perkins and Jeld-Wen, positioning Kerakoll Group for continued success in its growth trajectory. Marco Zini, CEO of Kerakoll Group, commented: “I couldn’t be prouder of Kerakoll Group’s latest accomplishments. Both the launch of our second production site project in Lancashire and the appointment of a seasoned professional like Carl Gardner reflect Kerakoll Group’s unwavering dedication to accelerating expansion in strategically vital regions. I’m sure Carl will make a big impact in his new role, helping us sustain the momentum in our trajectory of international growth”. “I’m thrilled to be joining Kerakoll Group at a time of such great transformation and drive for growth. Leading a talented team in developing key markets for the Group, such as the UK and the Nordics, is an exciting challenge and one that I am thankful to have been entrusted with”, Carl Gardner said. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
