Euramax Solutions, a leading manufacturer of PVCu windows and doors, has announced that it will extend its product range with the UK’s largest builders’ merchants, Travis Perkins. The new range will see new products and colour options available to the public in Spring 2019. Based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Euramax Solutions
While home renovations are often the first thing that people start to look at when they feel their home needs an upgrade, before you start to rip out your kitchen or look at pricing up a new bathroom, have a look at your interior coloring. Repainting your house interior can
A new £11 million Future Parks fund, which will be used to secure the future of parks and greenspaces across the UK, has been announced by the National Trust And National Lottery Heritage Fund. Through a package of grants and expert guidance, Future Parks aims to tackle, head on, the
The Buildings Show has for the past 30 years served as the single largest event held in North America. It focuses on professional networking, products, educational programming, and services in fields such as real estate, design, construction, and architecture. This year, the event will be held at the Metro Toronto
When it comes to managing waste, proactive facilities managers can save their organisations a lot of money while also improving performance. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure – and this is as true for facilities management as any other profession. The ability to anticipate and head off
A poll carried out by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, has found that despite the ever-growing popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. The poll, which was conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (20- 26 May),
Super tall structures are a modern phenomenon, and as little as a hundred years back, structures rising over sixty stories were unheard of. Today, dozens of buildings across the world exceed the one-thousand-foot definition of a supertall construction. As buildings reach new heights, what unique features are they adopting to
Having steadily increased in popularity in recent years, bifold doors make for a fantastic addition to any home or workplace. Not only do they create the illusion of a bigger space and bring in lots of much-needed natural light, but they can also increase the value of a property too.
The refurbishment of a ward at Bristol children’s hospital includes printed ceilings. Hospital stays for children striving against cancer in the Bristol area are now more positive and stimulating, thanks to Armstrong Ceiling Solutions and its chosen charity Rays of Sunshine, a charity that brightens the lives of recovering children
Swindon-based Flynn Group has acquired a Bristol groundworks company, which trades as Kenny, in order to form an £80 million turnover group. Flynn Group, which has waste management, building maintenance, civil engineering and groundworks divisions, has been advised to go ahead with the purchase by the industrial products and services team, led
Euramax Solutions, a leading manufacturer of PVCu windows and doors, has announced that it will extend its product range with the UK’s largest builders’ merchants, Travis Perkins. The new range will see new products and colour options available to the public in Spring 2019. Based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Euramax Solutions has manufactured PVCu windows and doors for over 65 years. With its 200,000sq. ft manufacturing facility, Euramax supplies a range of composite and PVCu doors and windows to the modular, new build, holiday home, DIY and retail sectors across the UK. As one of the largest UK suppliers to trade professionals and self-builders, buildings merchants Travis Perkins has over 660 branches across the UK and supplies more than 100,000 product lines. Euramax has supplied products to Travis Perkins since 2004, primarily delivering standard white PVCu windows. In April 2019 the Euramax product range was extend, adding coloured PVCu windows, deluxe French doors, sliding patio doors and Bi-Fold doors to the range available to customers. “Trends in the market are always changing and evolving, which means more choice is needed to meet customer demand”, said Richard Banks, commercial director at Euramax. “As a leading manufacturer of windows and doors, it’s important to take advantage of the market shift and provide more options for customers, which is why we have extended our product range with one of the most notable UK builders merchants. “We understand that appearance is one of the primary reasons why homeowners upgrade their windows and doors, so we know that colour and style is important. Previously, Travis Perkins only supplied a selection of Euramax products in white, but as 40 per cent of the market want coloured doors and windows, we have added Chartwell green and Golden Oak options, along with Anthracite grey as it is becoming increasingly popular,” explained Banks. “We also know that customers are always looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency, which is why all of our products at combine energy efficient frames and insulating glass to deliver the best thermal performance possible,” Banks added. “Aside from our extended product range supplied at Travis Perkins, our bespoke made to measure service means that customers can purchase windows and doors to fit their exact needs.” The range of products is available now at Travis Perkins stores across the UK as well as on the website for customer collection or delivery. To find out more about Euramax and their products, visit www.euramax.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1226 361639.To browse the full range of Euramax products available at Travis Perkins, go to www.travisperkins.co.uk.
While home renovations are often the first thing that people start to look at when they feel their home needs an upgrade, before you start to rip out your kitchen or look at pricing up a new bathroom, have a look at your interior coloring. Repainting your house interior can be one of the easiest things you can do to give your home a complete makeover, but you need to make sure that you aren’t dating yourself with your color choices and decorating style. Just like you can often tell where a house is located based on its exterior style, you can also tell where a house is by its interior color scheme. From more modern styles and trends in the west to more traditional styles and coloring in the east, and if you’re in the mountainous beauty of Boulder in the Southwest you can easily get the best of all worlds by talking with your local Boulder painters to discover which trends and tones will best suit your interior. Interior Decorator, Interior Designer or Interior Painter? When you have decided that interior repaint is the way to go, you then need to decide how to go about it. How do you choose which colors and which paint types or finishes? There are several different professionals that you can call to help you get the best look for your home, and sometimes you can find teams that work together. However, you will generally find that while most of the interior specialists are independent, they will often have recommendations for who you can speak to if you need other services. So, first you will need to work out which professional you really need. Interior Decorator There can be some overlap between an interior decorator and an interior designer, but generally you’d call in an interior decorator to help you work out the best colors, art and soft furnishings to create the space that you desire. These are the people that you can say “I want my bedroom to feel like a relaxing beach holiday”, or “I want my lounge to be a place for vibrant conversations” and they can help you choose the colors and effects that will create the desired result. You can hire an interior decorator to arrange everything for you, to work with you, or to simply give you ideas or suggestions, leaving you to make all the final decisions and purchases yourself. If you have an eye for detail doing it yourself will save you money, but the first time you do your room makeover it probably won’t end up quite the way you envisioned. However, practice makes perfect, and you can always try again in another room or in the same room in a few years. As long as you haven’t moved any walls nothing is permanent. Interior Designer Although the terms Interior Designer and Interior Decorator are often used interchangeably, to call yourself an interior designer generally requires a degree qualification in interior design (see here). Interior designers are professionals who create useable spaces based on how they will be used. This means that they are the perfect professionals to call in if you are going to rip out your kitchen or want to remodel your bathroom. They are trained to analysis the space, and how it is used by the occupants, and then come up with solutions to make the area more usable. Sometimes their suggestions will be radical, whereas sometimes they will only make subtle changes, but you will generally find that an interior designer will be able to make your space just right for you. This may mean ideas like dropping a kitchen bench down 2 inches for a shorter user, adding pull out steps to reach high cupboards, moving a doorway to create better flow between rooms, or replacing a step with a ramp for increased ease of access. An interior designer might work with an interior decorator to create the right feel to a room, as although some interior designers may be good with colors and soft furnishings, this is generally not their specialty. Interior Painter There is less confusion around what an interior painter does – they paint the rooms inside your house. However, there is more to an interior painter than just this. Although they will paint whatever colors you want, wherever you want, if you ask, they often can make very helpful suggestions on a practical level. They are also the professional to speak to about what sort of paint to use in each location. Gloss, semi-gloss, matt, satin – there are a number of types of finishes and types of paint, each has pros and cons depending on the area they are being using. For a family home, for example, you will often want a paint that is easy to clean, however if you have an older home with uneven walls the high gloss that provides the easiest wipe off surface also is the worst for showing up every blemish in your walls. So, talk to your painter and listen to their advice. Experienced painters have encountered almost any circumstance imaginable when it comes to house decorating, they have seen the before and after effects of different types of paint and different colors and effects used to create a new space. You can use this knowledge to save yourself a lot of problems if you are designing the space yourself. Ask their opinion on if the color you are thinking of will make the space darker or lighter, help hold the suns heat or make the room feel cold or make a room look like it has never been cleaned – something particularly important in a bathroom or kitchen. Doing It Yourself Of course, you can do the entire remodel yourself. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/pro-or-no-what-to-consider-before-hiring-out-a-home-painting-job/2017/09/04/d97a3ffa-5b87-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html Consulting with Pinterest for ideas and watching YouTube videos to learn how to prepare the area and paint appropriately. If you go this route, ensure that you speak to your paint supplier and
A new £11 million Future Parks fund, which will be used to secure the future of parks and greenspaces across the UK, has been announced by the National Trust And National Lottery Heritage Fund. Through a package of grants and expert guidance, Future Parks aims to tackle, head on, the growing financial challenges facing public parks, which is putting them at serious risk. Local authorities and communities will be empowered to find innovative and sustainable ways to manage and fund parks and open spaces across entire towns and cities. From a total of 81 applications across the UK, eight places, covering a population of five million people, were chosen for their ambitious and creative strategies to put green spaces right at the heart of local communities. The projects will: • make green spaces central to everyday community life • give the public a bigger role in how they are managed • ensure parks contribute more to the public’s mental and physical health • transform the way parks are funded to secure their futures For instance, in Islington and Camden the councils will focus on using parks and green spaces to improve health and wellbeing by developing closer links to the NHS, health providers, doctors and health charities. The other successful places are: • Birmingham; • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; • Bristol; • Cambridgeshire (county-wide, covering seven council areas); • Edinburgh; • Nottingham; • Plymouth Announcing the fund, Hilary McGrady, the National Trust’s Director General, said: “Today is a landmark moment for the nation’s urban parks. “This is not just about new ways to fund and support these much-loved community spaces, but completely re-thinking the role green spaces play in our lives and how we can ensure they thrive for generations to come.”
The Buildings Show has for the past 30 years served as the single largest event held in North America. It focuses on professional networking, products, educational programming, and services in fields such as real estate, design, construction, and architecture. This year, the event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 4th to 6th December. What to Expect This Year As you seek information on a visa application for Canada online to attend this event, you should note there are a few changes this year. The event will this year be introducing the World of Concrete Pavilion, the PropTech expo, the Homebuilder and Renovator Expo, and the Buildings Connect. The latter—Buildings Connect—has been designed to be a gathering and networking event of great minds. It will involve a dynamic showcase intended to highlight innovative technology that can impact operational efficiencies, people, portfolios, properties, and places within a built environment. Show Info This year’s event will last from Wednesday 4th December to Friday 6th December. According to the show organisers, the exhibits on the first two days will start at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. the seminars, on the other hand, will start at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. On the third and final day, the exhibitions are expected to start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. There will be no exhibitions on this particular day. Market Sectors Construct Canada which will be held at the Buildings Show is an event expected to bring together more than thirty thousand industry professionals. The annual exposition will bring together industry experts to an educational event aimed at networking, and learning more about the real estate, construction, architecture, and design sectors. Together with PM Expo, World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion, STONEX Canada, and Renovator Expo, Construct Canada will ensure that you are armed with all the tools you will need to continue enhancing your professional development, as well as sharpen your skills. Attendees will need to have a registration badge that will allow them access to both the south and North buildings of the Convention Centre. The event organisers are advising participants to try and leave themselves with enough time to check out all the exhibitions in place as well as the numerous programming options on display. Why Attend The Buildings Show 2019? This year’s expo will provide exhibitors and event participants with source for innovative solutions and products at the expo. It is the ideal place to source for the latest materials, technologies, tools, and products.
When it comes to managing waste, proactive facilities managers can save their organisations a lot of money while also improving performance. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure – and this is as true for facilities management as any other profession. The ability to anticipate and head off problems before they develop into serious business issues is invaluable. Regardless of whether you are in charge of a construction site, an office block or a catering business, waste management is an area that has the potential to present significant challenges for facilities managers. But a proactive approach can make a real difference. A robust waste management plan, for example, will repay you amply in time and cost savings. Just think of the costs that organisations incur. Take the UK hospitality industry, for example. Figures from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) suggest that this sector faces a £2.5bn annual food-waste bill, with 18% of all food served in the sector wasted. According to WRAP, with more effective waste management policies, this figure could be cut to just 5%. Aside from the obvious bottom-line impact of overspending on supplies, this kind of waste also has significant consequences for the environment, with much of it ending up in landfill. From the perspective of an organisation’s corporate social responsibility, this is far from ideal – and with punishing rates of landfill tax, it can prove even more expensive. So, what are the hallmarks of an effective waste-management approach? Identify problems – and nip them in the bud Before you even hire a skip or container to handle your waste, the ideal solution would be to ensure that as little waste as possible is generated. This means that facilities managers need to understand and address the most significant causes of waste within the business. For example, is the equipment being procured by the company long-lasting and reliable? While it might appear cheaper to buy less durable equipment or materials, this could be a false economy once waste-disposal and replacement costs are taken into account. Look also at the way the business obtains its supplies – could over-ordering be avoided by making smaller but more frequent orders? Take a collaborative approach Facilities managers can also seek input from around the business to help identify potentially wasteful practices. Construction firm Carillion, for example, has expanded its Don’t Walk By programme – originally set up to encourage staff to highlight health and safety issues – to cover unnecessary waste generation. Carillion workers have an app they can use to report any instances of wastefulness or inefficient use of resources to senior management. Reuse and recycle When procuring resources, facilities managers should also give serious consideration to whether any excess materials could be used elsewhere in the organisation, for example on future projects. Facilities managers may need to work with procurement teams to make sure that purchasing decisions take into account full life-cycle costs rather than just the initial price. Work with suppliers to find the right solution The relationship between the organisation and its suppliers can also play a crucial role in managing waste. As mentioned above, it is important to strike the right balance between the size and frequency of orders. But consider also what kind of service your suppliers are offering. Will they take back unwanted stock, for example? And will they offer you the flexibility to change the size or timing of orders if necessary? Ultimately, facilities managers who want to successfully deal with waste must work proactively and anticipate problems before they have a significant impact on profitability and efficiency. If you find yourself reacting to waste issues as opposed to heading them off, much of the damage is likely to have been done already. Takeaways: A reactive approach to waste management can cost your business a considerable amount of money – and make it less efficient. Facilities managers should identify the most serious sources of waste and develop strategies to minimize them. The most successful approach will involve collaboration with other parts of the business as well as key suppliers. Source: Reconomy
A poll carried out by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, has found that despite the ever-growing popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand. The poll, which was conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (20- 26 May), found that 82% of tradespeople have never undertaken any form of training in smart home technology. This figure remains largely unchanged following results from the same poll in 2018. Research has shown that 40% of UK homeowners now own at least one smart home product, a rise of 13% on the previous year[1]. However, despite continued growth, the number of tradespeople improving their knowledge and skills in this area remains disproportionately low. This is backed up by previous national research carried out by the leading online ironmongery supplier, which showed that almost 90% of tradespeople are not confident when advising customers on smart products. Now in its third year, Smart Home Week aims to raise the profile of smart home technology and to inform, educate and reassure consumers about the benefits and opportunities of living in a smart, connected way. Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, said: “We’re living in the age of rapid technological development, and it’s easy to see why people are investing in smart technology to bring comfort, convenience and added security to their homes. However, with a huge range of smart devices available, and new products being developed all the time, it is important that tradespeople do their research and make a conscious effort to stay up to date on the latest news and trends surrounding smart home technology. “There is of course still a demand for traditional products, but these new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some brilliant products currently on the market, whether you want to specialise in lighting, heating, security or household appliances.” IronmongeryDirect stocks a variety of products including the Yale® Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock, which eradicates the need for a physical key, the Burg Wachter BURGprotect Alarm Kit 2200, which can send a notification to a connected smartphone within seconds of a break-in or smoke being detected and the Yale® Smart Home CCTV Kit, which allows homeowners to view footage remotely in real-time via an app, wherever they are in the world. The customer service team are available from 7am-8pm 7 days a week and can help with any questions or queries tradespeople may have about smart home technology. IronmongeryDirect has over 17,500 products available and in stock. Orders can be placed as late as 8pm for next day delivery from Sunday through to Friday and by 4pm on Saturdays. Free, no quibble returns are available on all products. For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.
Super tall structures are a modern phenomenon, and as little as a hundred years back, structures rising over sixty stories were unheard of. Today, dozens of buildings across the world exceed the one-thousand-foot definition of a supertall construction. As buildings reach new heights, what unique features are they adopting to deal with environmental questions? To delve deeper into this question, we caught up with Toyin-Ann Yerifor, an architectural consultant based in Calgary, Alberta to discuss the top five buildings in the world. Toyin-Ann has an architectural master’s degree in advanced environmental and energy studies from the University of East London in the United Kingdom. Lotte World Tower The Lotte World Tower stands at an architectural height of 554.5 meters or 1,819 feet and is the fifth tallest building in the world. Located in Seoul, South Korea, the supertall structure was completed in 2017 and is today one of the most iconic structures in East Asia. As with all supertall structures, says Toyin-Ann Yerifor, major environmental challenges such as water and energy utilization and wind and pollution must be considered. To overcome these environmental challenges, the Lotte World Tower is built near the banks of the Han River, an important decision that reduces the impact the building has on adjacent structures. Further, the Lotte World Tower is designed to minimize wind disruption, which, says Toyin-Ann, is an essential component when managing pollution within an urban setting. Other environmental considerations in the Lotte World Tower include the addition of photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, water harvesting systems, and external shading devices. Ping An Finance Centre Ping An Finance Center is currently the fourth tallest building in the world. Standing at an imposing architectural height of 599.1 meters or 1,965 feet, the office complex commands the Futian District skyline in Shenzhen, China. What makes this building interesting from an architectural perspective, says Toyin-Ann Yerifor, is its dense and hyperconnected design. Typical of many Asian supertall structures, this design approach offers a reduced environmental footprint while increasing the amount of usable space within the building. Ping An Finance Center also stands out from an environmental perspective, says Toyin-Ann Yerifor, because of its Gold LEED certification status. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification that rates a building’s level of sustainability. LEED certifications range from certified to platinum. As a Gold LEED certified building, Ping An Finance Center has achieved the second-highest LEED certification, just below the platinum LEED rating. This level of rating shows the building has proven sustainability in the areas of energy and water usage, indoor air quality, material and resource utilization, among others. Makkah Royal Clock Tower The Makkah Royal Clock Tower is part of a mega tall complex of hotels called the Abraj Al-bait in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The clock tower rises to an architectural height of 601 meters or 1,972 feet and was completed in 2012. Besides being the third tallest building in the world, the complex holds the record of the most expensive building in the world, having cost $15 billion to build. The hotel complex is built strategically next to the Grand Mosque of Mecca to accommodate the millions of pilgrims who visit the site each year. From an environmental perspective, says Toyin-Ann, the hotel complex meets a crucial environmental benchmark especially in its use of water. Avoiding the use of traditional sprinkler systems to protect the building from fire, the Abraj Al-bait complex uses an advanced protection system that uses high-pressure water mist instead. This new system uses a fraction of the water that traditional sprinkler systems use while putting out fires in a more efficient way. Shanghai Tower The Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China is the second tallest building in the world. The building rises to an architectural height of 632 meters or 2,073 feet, beating the next tallest building, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower by a mere thirty-one meters. The tower broke ground in late 2008 and was completed in late 2015. From a design perspective, says Toyin, the building has a unique triple adjacent superstructure design which increases energy efficiency significantly. Aside from being the second tallest building in the world, the Shanghai Tower also holds the record for the second fastest elevators in the word, which move at a top speed of 20.5 meters per second (74 km/h or 46 mph). In terms of sustainability, the building incorporates a raft of sustainability measures. To this end, the building has been certified by the China Green Building Committee as well as the US Green Building Council which has certified the building LEED Platinum BD+C: Core and Shell. Some of the sustainable features that stand out, says Toyin, include the towers glass façade designed to reduce wind loads, wind turbines that supply 10 percent of the building’s energy, and a double layer glass shell that significantly insulates the building from external temperatures. Burj Khalifa Soaring to a breathtaking height of 828 meters or 2,717 feet is the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, previously known as the Burj Dubai. Beating the second tallest building, the Shanghai Tower by 196 meters, the Burj Khalifa has retained its position as the tallest building since its completion in 2010. Located in the heart of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the building stands as a testament to the advances in design and construction technologies. Aside from holding the title of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa also holds numerous other titles including tallest existing structure, tallest freestanding structure, tallest skyscraper, building with most floors, highest elevator installation, longest travel distance elevators, among others. The Burj Khalifa is not only an architectural marvel, says Toyin-Ann Yerifor, but also an interesting study in the environmental impact of supertall structures. For instance, the building, like most buildings in Dubai, relies on energy-intensive desalination plants for water. Paradoxically, the building produces millions of gallons of fresh water from air conditioning condensation. This paradox, says Toyin-Ann Yerifor, makes the Burj Khalifa simultaneously one of the
Having steadily increased in popularity in recent years, bifold doors make for a fantastic addition to any home or workplace. Not only do they create the illusion of a bigger space and bring in lots of much-needed natural light, but they can also increase the value of a property too. Read more as we discuss 7 reasons to invest in bifold doors right away. Bring in natural light One of the core reasons why people choose to install bifold doors is that they provide a room with a generous amount of natural light, whether they are open or closed. Having more natural light in a room gives the illusion of extra space, making it feel brighter and larger than it actually is. These doors typically have large, slim, glass frames, which draws the eye to the outdoor space and also makes the room feel bigger. Moreover, natural light has many health benefits, including an improvement in overall mood, a Vitamin D boost and a better night’s sleep! Save space Sliding bifold doors take up very little space, which is especially beneficial in smaller properties. Unlike typical doors, which must be pushed or pulled open, taking up space, bifold doors, instead, collapse in on themselves, offering the maximum amount of space available. Bifold doors also remove the barrier between a garden and indoor area, allowing people to effortlessly blend their indoor and outdoor spaces. This provides a lovely addition to any home and makes hosting BBQ’s, parties and social gatherings much nicer. Modernise a property Bifold doors are an incredibly stylish and sleek way to modernise a property – a reason for their increased popularity in recent times. Though they blend well with modern interiors, they can also bring a contemporary feel to an older property. Versatile Available in a huge range of colours and materials, bifold doors provide a versatile solution to any home or workspace. All the customer has to do is decide the width within the frame at which they want the doors to open, as well as whether they want the doors to open into or out of a room, and fold to the right or left. The means that bifold doors can be tailor-made to fit most customer requirements and to suit any interior style. Buyers may also choose to have an access door fitted within the frame, which works like a normal door and creates an easy point of entry and exit when quick access is required. Low maintenance There are various styles and materials to choose from when selecting a bifold door, but aluminium tends to be the most popular, since there is minimal maintenance required to keep the doors looking fresh and clean. All people need to do is wipe down the glass and frame every now and again, making their household chores as hassle-free and efficient as can be. Long-term investment While the cost of purchasing bifold doors isn’t exactly cheap, the value they add to a property can make them, in the long run, a very worthwhile investment. Furthermore, high-quality doors, fitted by professionals and using the best materials available, can last for many decades. Their durability means they are able to withstand extreme weather conditions, without affecting the quality and performance of the door. Secure Keeping our homes safe is a constant concern for homeowners, particularly if the home is left unattended for long periods. Backdoor access is often the easiest place for burglars to enter, especially where a homeowner has not taken the appropriate steps to secure the area. With bifold doors, multi-point locking systems are fitted, which makes breaking in very tricky. Traditional sliding and French doors normally don’t come with this level of security, instead of having just one locking point.
The refurbishment of a ward at Bristol children’s hospital includes printed ceilings. Hospital stays for children striving against cancer in the Bristol area are now more positive and stimulating, thanks to Armstrong Ceiling Solutions and its chosen charity Rays of Sunshine, a charity that brightens the lives of recovering children by granting their wishes and providing support in hospitals. A refurbishment of the oncology day beds unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, part of the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, includes acoustic ceilings featuring sky scenes and shoals of fish to reflect its new name as the Ocean Unit. The ceiling systems donated by Armstrong, totalling almost 300m2, were installed for free as a part of a ward wish by specialist sub-contractor H + L ceilings- a member of Armstrong’s approved national network of Omega contractors. The BioGuard ceiling tiles that feature anti-bacterial benefits for healthcare environments were finished with a coating of sky scenes in the recovery bay for older children, a school of fish swimming down a river in the reception/waiting area corridor, and a shoal of fish in a small treatment room. They were installed by a team of three from H + L over two weekends, with the old tiles from the 10-bed ward being sent to Armstrong’s factory in Gateshead for recycling and the company’s streamlined TLS grid, which is up to 20% faster to install, replacing the existing suspension system. Around 35% of the total tiles were white and screen-printed which Armstrong supplied with a number on the back so H+L could follow appropriate layout guidelines. Armstrong became involved in the project after its chosen charity Rays of Sunshine identified the refurbishment of the ward, which had not been updated for 15 years, under its Hospital Ward Wish programme. This works to, among other elements, decorate treatment rooms to transform sterile spaces into stimulating environments which provide a distraction and enable children to respond better to treatment. The refurbishment of the Ocean Unit, which has two six-bed bays and four single rooms as well as four consulting rooms, and looks after all oncology, haematology and bone marrow transplant children up to 19 years, also included new wall art and furniture. H+L director Darren Hopkins said: “When Armstrong asked us to install the project we were more than happy to get involved. It was treated like any other job but the installation team volunteered themselves for the weekend work.” And of the tile numbering system he added: “We have never had to work that way before but it was pretty easy to install by following the instructions Armstrong gave us.” Jane Sharpe, CEO of Rays of Sunshine, said: “A very big thank you to everyone involved in making this happen. The ceiling makeover will make such a massive difference to the children visiting the ward for treatment. It will make their time there so much more bearable and will put lots of smiles on lots of faces.” Jane Thomas, donations co-ordinator for the children’s services division of University Hospitals Bristol, thanked Armstrong for their support in “transforming” the ceilings for the patients and their families. She said: “The work completed by Armstrong Ceilings has made the area a brighter but still calm place for the children to be in, with the fish gently swimming through. Especially popular is the large bay under the tropical picture where the children can recover following treatment.” Isabel Blanco, Armstrong’s marketing communications manager, said: “Our latest exercise for Rays of Sunshine was particularly rewarding as it was easy to see the difference the bright, fun ceilings made to the children.” BioGuard tiles are cleanable and perform to Sound Absorption Class C and Clean Room Classification ISO 5. They are also 85% light reflecting and 95% humidity resistant and manufactured from 42% recycled content. More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
Swindon-based Flynn Group has acquired a Bristol groundworks company, which trades as Kenny, in order to form an £80 million turnover group. Flynn Group, which has waste management, building maintenance, civil engineering and groundworks divisions, has been advised to go ahead with the purchase by the industrial products and services team, led by Ian Curtis at Transcend Corporate, the Birmingham and Reading-based corporate finance house. “Flynn has grown considerably in recent years, as customers utilise our company’s efficient, reliable and economic services, enabling them and ourselves to increase output. Kenny is a fine business and highly complementary, providing us with an enlarged platform to accelerate growth and expand our coverage,” said Managing director at Flynn, Alf Hambidge. John Kenny, one of the founders of the Bristol company, also commented on the purchase: “My wife Val and I have overseen Kenny from a fledgling business, to being a leading player in house-building in the South West, with an expert team that consistently provides efficient and reliable services, of which we are very proud. “As we move into our retirement, we are pleased to pass on our strong traditions to the team at Flynn and wish them well in the continued development of Kenny, and say thanks to all our staff and contractors who have helped us grow into the successful business it currently is.” The deal to purchase Kenny was funded by Allied Irish Bank and it was also advised by Foot Anstey while SGD provided financial due diligence and tax structuring advice. “There are significant opportunities for further growth as recent structural change in the housebuilding sector provides the opportunity for accelerated expansion,” added transcend corporate director, Ian Curtis.
