Kayflow continues to demonstrate its commitment to both product development and sustainability by investing in a new injection moulding machine, which is just one element of the company’s ongoing investment programme for 2022. Kayflow’s new Romi – 800T Injection Moulding Machine with Axis Robot will be used for the ongoing
Rockwool’s new launch of NyRock technology delivers improved thermal performance, while maintaining non-combustibility and acoustic capabilities As pressure mounts on the construction industry to deliver more thermally efficient buildings whilst preserving standards of fire and acoustic performance, ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock technology. NyRock is an evolution in stone wool composition
Despite research by the UK Green Building Council (Nov 2021) showing that embodied carbon emissions due to the construction process, maintenance and demolition of buildings, created 40 to 50 million tonnes of CO2 annually – more than aviation and shipping combined, the UK government has failed to regulate the embodied
33.4% of female project managers say unequal levels of pay is the biggest barrier facing women who’d like to get into project-based careers Survey reveals divided opinions, with the most common response from male project professionals that it’s because project management is still considered to be a male dominated profession
More than three quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source materials this year New research reveals the 10 materials that workers have found hardest to source Plasterers, surveyors and joiners are the worst affected trades The materials shortage has plagued the UK trade industry for two years, and now
The latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show record hardwood volumes were imported in May 2022. Overall import volumes for hardwood were up 25% in the period running from January to May 2022, relative to the same period in 2021. This increase in hardwood volumes has largely been driven by
Home construction is an industry that has been slow to adopt new technologies. We have seen a shift in recent years, but the entire process of building homes is still a very manual one. That’s why 3D printing is such a promising technology in home construction. Examples of benefits of
A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be
Ecofill, a brand new and sustainable alternative to the use of aggregates in traditional earthworks construction has appointed former UK Construction Minister and former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Dr Nigel Griffiths, as Chairman. Dr Griffiths celebrates an esteemed and extensive portfolio of career highlights spanning five decades
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire
Kayflow continues to demonstrate its commitment to both product development and sustainability by investing in a new injection moulding machine, which is just one element of the company’s ongoing investment programme for 2022. Kayflow’s new Romi – 800T Injection Moulding Machine with Axis Robot will be used for the ongoing production of Kayflow’s underground soil and waste range of mouldings. The machine’s extensive collection of innovative features will aid production as well as helping to reduce the company’s energy consumption. The machine’s ‘Stop and Go’ system is driven by a Servopump for high precision, repeatability, and energy efficiency, whilst the modernised power system will result in a 60 percent reduction in energy usage. Its reduced cycle times will also help to improve machine utilisation and capacity, both of which support a more sustainable operation. In addition to contributing to Kayflow’s energy efficiency objectives, the Romi – 800T also enables consistent production and a superior finish aiding the company’s commitment to providing only the highest quality products on the market. Alan Tunnicliffe, Technical Director at Kayflow, explains: “The Romi – 800T is one of ten new machines we plan to purchase in 2022, following on from our investment in three machines last year. Overall, 70 percent of our machinery has been modernised over the past two years, which has enabled us to maintain our high-quality standards and increase productivity, whilst reducing our energy consumption and carbon footprint. “Quality will always be at the heart of everything we do, but we are constantly aware of the impact our processes have on the environment. This is why we strive to employ systems and procedures that work to mitigate any negative environmental effects and increase our sustainability. “We’re confident that the investments we have made – and continue to make – will have a positive impact on our business processes, both in terms of product quality and energy consumption, for many years to come.” Further information about Kayflow and its product range can be found at www.kayflow.co.uk or by calling 01827 317 269.
Rockwool’s new launch of NyRock technology delivers improved thermal performance, while maintaining non-combustibility and acoustic capabilities As pressure mounts on the construction industry to deliver more thermally efficient buildings whilst preserving standards of fire and acoustic performance, ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock technology. NyRock is an evolution in stone wool composition that delivers the lowest lambda stone wool insulation available in the UK. NyRock has a more efficient fibre structure to deliver low thermal conductivity Created using a new patented production process, this next generation stone wool insulation has a more efficient fibre structure that can deliver thermal conductivity as low as 0.032 W/mK. This means that U-values can be met with comparatively thinner constructions, which in the case of external wall applications, creates the potential for additional interior floor space over a given building footprint. Alongside its improved thermal efficiency, NyRock technology still delivers all the additional benefits of stone wool insulation including durability, the ability to be recycled indefinitely, and acoustic and fire performance. Comprising naturally non-combustible volcanic rock, ROCKWOOL solutions powered by NyRock technology achieve Euroclass A1 (the highest possible rating) and can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C. A solution to the rapidly evolving needs of the built environment Paul Barrett, head of product management at ROCKWOOL UK, commented: “Our new products featuring NyRock technology will be significant for the construction industry, giving specifiers and building owners a true solution to the rapidly evolving needs of the built environment and its biggest challenges. “To limit the impact of climate change and support the delivery of net zero carbon in the UK by 2050, it’s the responsibility of manufacturers like ourselves to go further, re-inventing and improving on existing solutions. NyRock technology does just that. “While stone wool insulation is already known for its proven benefits such as longevity, ease of install, circularity, and non-combustibility that is crucial for protecting people and properties, our patented technology builds on these advantages further. “Whether specifiers need a solution to the lower U-values of England’s new Approved Document L that also maximises floor space, or a non-combustible option for a high-rise property with enhanced thermal and acoustic performance, NyRock technology’s industry-leading lambda value for stone wool and ability to reduce the thickness of a construction element support those requirements.” NyRock technology will be rolled out across a range of ROCKWOOL insulation solutions during 2022. To register for updates on the launch of products featuring NyRock technology, visit rockwool.com/uk/nyrock or click here.
Despite research by the UK Green Building Council (Nov 2021) showing that embodied carbon emissions due to the construction process, maintenance and demolition of buildings, created 40 to 50 million tonnes of CO2 annually – more than aviation and shipping combined, the UK government has failed to regulate the embodied carbon cost of construction whilst focusing solely on operational emissions. As a result, experts in the field of decarbonisation have worked together to develop a proposal for amendments to the Building Regulations that could be used to mandate the reporting and limiting of carbon emissions. Head of Sustainability at Whitecode, Ellen Huelin, takes a look at the proposed Part Z amendment to the Building Regulations and the concept of embodied carbon regulation. She argues that without such regulation the UK could easily fail to meet its ambitious carbon emissions targets. There has been a great deal of focus trained on the energy efficiency of properties being built and operational emissions, but not enough attention has been paid to the sustainable aspect of the construction process. I agree with the authors of the proposed amendments to The Building Regulations 2010 that there is the need for legislation to be introduced that would ensure that embodied carbon is assessed on all projects as part of a comprehensive whole-life carbon assessment. The House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee agree. In its report in May 2022 entitled Building to net Zero: costing carbon in construction, it states that the single most significant policy the government could introduce is a mandatory requirement to undertake a whole-life carbon assessment for buildings and that this requirement should be set within building regulations and the planning system. It says the government should then develop progressively ratcheting carbon targets for buildings, with a clear timeline for introducing this in place by the end of 2022. This is the biggest indication yet that the government is beginning to listen to our industry which has been actively supporting the concept behind a new Part Z and recognising that, as a result of a lack of policy, no real progress has been made in reducing embodied carbon emissions within the built environment. Our sustainability team at Whitecode has a great deal of experience carrying out whole life-cycle carbon (WLC) emission assessments, that consider operational as well as embodied carbon emissions together over a project’s expected life cycle, because the London Plan (policy SI 2) sets out a requirement for development proposals to calculate and reduce WLC emissions as part of a WLC assessment. London has an ambitious target to become zero-carbon by 2050, but even the London Plan has no specific embodied carbon targets, only ones around reducing carbon in operation. Outside of London it seems that only the most forward-thinking developers or those where sustainability is their Unique Selling Point (USP) are carrying out voluntary whole-life carbon assessments. Policy change will be the quickest route to transform the industry so that we can match countries including the Netherlands, France and Sweden who already regulate embodied carbon emissions. It is frustrating that we are lagging behind others when we have an industry that is calling for it! Any new policy needs to be progressive otherwise the industry will not achieve substantive change. The government’s Future Homes and Buildings Standard will ensure that all future homes will be net zero ready from 2025, if new regulations around embodied carbon emissions don’t come into play soon, this will be a standard that will be difficult to meet. We also need regulation and quickly, around the use of sustainable construction materials to ensure that as an industry we are working towards net-zero. To do this I believe the government needs to incentivise their use and their development. We need to consider the circular economy. We know that we shouldn’t be putting things into landfill and that we should be looking to recycle where possible, but we don’t want to just be able to recycle; we need to be able to re-use construction materials again and again. We need to look at how functional and adaptable they are and ensure they are designed for assembly so they can be remodelled and repurposed. We can no longer just stick materials together if we want to work towards a whole life-cycle approach. Industry standardisation will support moves to regulate embodied carbon. Notes on the proposed Part Z say that a cross-industry team is developing a free-to-use Built Environment Carbon Database (BECD) that will be launched this year, the idea being that it minimises the cost and complexity of the process of measuring embodied carbon. The BECD will also include a product database. The standardisation and bringing together of information is vital to allow new regulations to be easily implemented. The government needs to adopt this approach by standardising methodology, creating reporting frameworks and setting minimum targets for the construction sector. Industry support for regulation is clear, with major developers and industry bodies stepping forward to support the concept of Part Z. I am also seeing a change of mindset coming from within the sector around environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). Recently I have been asked by a number of clients for advice around ESG and one client has asked me to join their sustainability steering group to help them with the mechanisms of placing sustainability intrinsically within their business. These are positive developments that demonstrate a real appetite by companies to accelerate their reduction in carbon emissions. The government needs to recognise that the construction industry is ready and willing for change. The time is now. There has been a great deal of focus trained on the energy efficiency of properties being built and operational emissions, but not enough attention has been paid to the sustainable aspect of the construction process. I agree with the authors of the proposed amendments to The Building Regulations 2010 that there is the need for legislation to be introduced that would ensure that embodied carbon is assessed on all projects
33.4% of female project managers say unequal levels of pay is the biggest barrier facing women who’d like to get into project-based careers Survey reveals divided opinions, with the most common response from male project professionals that it’s because project management is still considered to be a male dominated profession Too few women taking STEM subjects at school, college or university is considered to be biggest barrier for women entering the project profession according to project professionals in the transport and logistics (35% of respondents) and construction (40%) sectors. A new survey by Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership organisation for the project profession, has revealed the differences between what male and female project professionals consider to be the biggest barrier preventing more women entering the project profession. The survey of 1,000 project professionals (from junior to director level), undertaken with research company Censuswide, shows that of the 308 female respondents, a third (33.4%) say that unequal pay is the main barrier, followed by gender stereotyping (32.5%) and not enough women having taken STEM subjects while studying at school, college or university (29%). However, among the male respondents to the survey, the most common reason as to why more women aren’t joining the project profession is that it’s still being perceived as male dominated (cited by 31.5% of male respondents). The findings shine new light on workplace diversity, gender equality and women’s career journeys; topics that APM will be exploring its upcoming Women in Project Management conference. APM’s survey also highlights the different opinions of project professionals within different industry sectors. For example, among those working in engineering, 43% said gender stereotyping is the biggest barrier for women entering their profession, as well as professionals working in telecoms, where 40% say it’s the biggest barrier. Unequal levels of pay are considered as the biggest barrier to women entering project management as a career within the financial services sector (38%) and in technology (40%). And too few women taking STEM subjects at school, college or university is considered to be biggest barrier for women entering the project profession for those in the transport and logistics (35% of respondents in this sector) and construction (40%) sectors. Professor Adam Boddison, Chief Executive of APM, says: “Our latest findings highlight that there are still challenges to overcome in seeing more women entering the project profession. As the chartered body for the project profession, we would call on men in the profession – especially those with responsibility for hiring new people into the workplace – to take close heed of these findings and to be mindful of how their own perceptions of issues around equality may differ from the actual experiences of women. “APM is committed to raising awareness and supporting our members and the wider project profession in understanding the issues affecting women in the profession and in considering what more can be done to improve equality and inclusivity in the workplace. We look forward to welcoming attendees to our upcoming Women in Project Management conference in September where people of all genders will be able to share insights, hear new ideas and acquire knowledge on these issues and many others.” APM’s most recent Salary and Market Trends Survey highlights the salary figures[2] for men and women working in the project profession, and it reveals a gender pay gap of 24%. Although there was some positive change outlined in the report, with women making up a growing proportion of those earning between £50,000 and £69,999 – up from 20% from the previous year to 24% – the Salary and Market Trends Survey found that women are still over-represented in roles where lower salaries are the norm: they account for four out of five project administrators (79%), while representing 57% of part-time workers. By contrast only 22% of consultants, who enjoy higher average salaries, are women. APM’s new survey also asked the profession what they considered to be main barrier for both men and women being recruited into the profession, with lack of awareness of project management as a career choice (30%) coming out on top, followed by a lack of skilled individuals (28%), and budget restrictions (28%). Turning from barriers to opportunities for the profession, pivoting to new energy sources (32.5% of respondents), tackling climate change and working towards Net Zero (32%), and AI, automation and big data (32%) were considered to be the biggest opportunities for the profession over the next five years – for both male and female professionals.
More than three quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source materials this year New research reveals the 10 materials that workers have found hardest to source Plasterers, surveyors and joiners are the worst affected trades The materials shortage has plagued the UK trade industry for two years, and now new research has revealed the stark impact this has had on workers in the sector. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, found that more than three-quarters (78%) of tradespeople have struggled to source the materials they’ve needed in the last year. As a result, almost half (46%) have had to delay or turn down work, and nearly a fifth (19%) have been forced to let customers down after committing to jobs. When asked which specific materials they’ve found difficult to find, the most common replies were paint (21%), timber (19%) and steel (17%). The 10 materials that UK tradespeople have found hardest to source in the last year are: # Material % 1 Paint 21% 2 Timber 19% 3 Steel 17% 4 Blocks 14% 5 Bricks 13% 6 Coatings 13% 7 Semi-conductors 13% 8 Plasterboard 12% 9 Cement 12% 10 Microchips 12% Unfortunately, more than one in five (22%) respondents said that they can’t see the shortage easing anytime soon, and that they believe problems will continue into 2023. Inflation is the main factor they blame (20%), with record levels driving up prices across the board and affecting the supply chain. The impact of Coronavirus (17%), rising energy costs (15%) and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (15%) are also perceived to be responsible. While the shortage has been felt across the industry, some trades have struggled to source materials more than others. The study found that plasterers (92%), surveyors (88%) and joiners (87%) have been hit the hardest. Roofers, however, are the most likely workers to have had to turn down work (60%) as a result of the issue. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “The materials shortage continues to be one of the industry’s main challenges, with workers across all trades finding it hard to source what they need to meet the demand for their services. “The impact is felt in many ways – financially, as many have had to refuse work as a result, but also personally, as our recent Mental Health in the Trades report found that the shortage is one of the main causes of stress for tradespeople in 2022. “In recent weeks, there have been signs of the situation easing slightly, so hopefully things will continue to improve as the year goes on.” To see which materials each individual trade has found difficult to source this year, and how prices have increased over time, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/how-is-the-materials-shortage-affecting-uk-tradespeople
The latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show record hardwood volumes were imported in May 2022. Overall import volumes for hardwood were up 25% in the period running from January to May 2022, relative to the same period in 2021. This increase in hardwood volumes has largely been driven by Latvia and France, with their totals growing 110% and 82% respectively. Tropical hardwoods have also seen growth, up 44%, with Cameroonian volumes leading in this category, increasing by 4,081m3 in 2022. Overall timber volumes were also high in May 2022, as volumes climbed over the million m3 mark for the first time since September 2021. This growth in the month was driven by higher volumes of softwood, hardwood, plywood and particleboard compared to May 2021, only OSB and MDF volumes were lower. Softwood imports remain 18% below the record levels seen in 2021. TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “Though May 2022 totals resembled the record levels seen last year, the overall market position in 2022 is certainly more diverse than 2021. “Hardwood imports have been driven by the pallet and packaging trade which has begun to use lower-priced, more temperate hardwood species over typically used softwood. “The global logistics market is buoyant with demand outstripping the capacity to recirculate and where necessary repair existing pallet stocks. This means the demand for new wood pallets, bearers and dunnage are all at high levels, putting significant pressure on the available log supply and specialist mills that service this sector. “New sectors are also causing pressure on supply with wood fuel, for example, becoming a key driver of demand across Europe due to the energy insecurity caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Members can read the full statistics report here.
Home construction is an industry that has been slow to adopt new technologies. We have seen a shift in recent years, but the entire process of building homes is still a very manual one. That’s why 3D printing is such a promising technology in home construction. Examples of benefits of using 3D printing for home construction include: Less need for manual labor, making the process of building homes more efficient Waste reduction by reducing the need for construction materials often discarded after use Lower costs for homeowners by reducing overall labor costs, material waste, and other expenses. However, that’s not all. This article will discuss some key aspects of 3D printing that make it an attractive option for home construction: the freedom to design and construct homes without limitations. This is especially useful when making custom-built homes that fit a specific customer’s needs and preferences. So, let’s read on. Faster production time 3D printing has become a significant tool in the home construction industry. It’s no secret that 3D printing can help speed up production time, but just how much? Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing can save you hours of work and result in products that are identical in quality. The process begins with an outline or sketch of the object you wish to create. Your computer then imports this image into a 3D modeling program, where it translates it into digital data sent to a printer that uses plastic filament as its building material. Using this method allows you to create any imaginable design without worrying about outsourcing your work or waiting for shipments. Lower cost of materials 3D printing is also more efficient than traditional manufacturing. For example, in the case of a 3D-printed house, you can use waste material like old tires and turn them into bricks that are used to build your house. This will help you save on the cost of making bricks from scratch, which can be very expensive. Another benefit of 3D printing is its ability to create materials that are lighter than what would be produced from regular machines. An added benefit of 3D printing is its ability to produce materials that are lighter than what would be produced from regular machines. This means less material will have to be used, saving money and reducing the time it takes to build a home. Easier planning process 3D printing can help with the planning process. If you’re designing a new home, you can create models that are available for your clients to look at. This will make it easier for them to visualize their project and provide input about what they want in their final product. This also helps ensure less confusion and conflict between what was agreed upon during the design phase and what actually gets delivered. Besides, 3D printing helps with the design process itself because it allows different ideas to be tested quickly without having to do any physical work or wasting material on failed designs. Fewer errors from human labor 3D printing is a technology renowned for its high accuracy, which means that it can produce items with fewer errors than human labor. This is especially important for the home construction industry, as many different parts of a house need to be made with precision and care. For example, the doors for your new home will be measured precisely to fit together correctly (and don’t fall off their hinges). If one of these door measurements happens to be off by just 1/10th of an inch, then every door in your house won’t fit as well as it should. Environmentally friendly 3D printing is more environmentally friendly than traditional manufacturing and construction processes like CNC machining or milling. First, 3D printing doesn’t require the same kind of energy and raw materials as traditional manufacturing processes. In fact, it’s not only less resource-intensive but also cleaner. When you use 3D printing technology like that employed in printers from Massivit 3D to make something, you’re not producing hazardous waste or chemical byproducts like when making products on an assembly line at scale. Additionally, there are fewer steps involved in producing one object using a 3D printer than other methods such as injection molding or casting metal ingots into molds (which requires melting). That means less transportation between different factories or locations worldwide—and fewer emissions from transportation trucks. Conclusion We believe 3D printing in home construction will be a valuable asset to the industry. It can save time and money, reduce errors from human labor, improve planning processes, and allow for environmentally friendly construction methods. All this while helping us build better homes for our future generations.
A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be welcoming and inviting for all user groups. The new hub will replace an existing centre, providing a new set of facilities that better meets the needs of the local community, utilising GT3’s ‘people first’ approach. The facility includes a 25m eight lane pool, learner pool with a moveable floor, 120 station fitness suite, two studios, a spin studio and associated changing areas as well as a café and multipurpose room. In addition, the surrounding park will undergo a major transformation with a focus on creating an active landscape that wraps around the new building. Matt McCreith, project architect at GT3, said: “We’re delighted to reach this important milestone of the project. The new hub is going to be a major asset for the borough and the landscape design for the park is truly transformational. The scheme aims to create an ‘active landscape’ that offers a variety of different activities and areas in a bid to promote movement and enjoyment of outdoor space. This includes exercise & play areas, walking routes and seating spaces. “We are approaching this project more like a community building as opposed to being a leisure centre that is only sports focused. It’s been designed to be accessible from the park as well as the main entrance, encouraging more people to use the building for a variety of reasons. The aim is to get more people active, but this can be achieved away from the traditional sports activities hosted in the building. “Playing a part in a project like this, that aims to make such a positive impact in the community, is very exciting and we can’t wait to move on to the next stage and start construction.” The project has come to fruition through a great deal of collaboration across the project team to ensure the final design was truly pioneering. There is a strong focus on cycling throughout the scheme, with British Cycling recently funding a series of new mountain bike trails in the park and a Cycle Hub within the building that will offer bicycle hire services for users. There will also be a new all-wheels skatepark, learn-to-ride area and pump track provided as part of the approved proposal. Councillor Sue Markham, portfolio holder for public services at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “Due to start on site this autumn, this has been an exciting venture where collaboration has been key. The project team, which includes Sport England and leading contractor BAM Construct UK as well as civil engineering firm, Hexa Consulting. The culmination of experience and expertise involved with the Hub will offer something completely new and bespoke for the community here and I am excited to see work get underway.” Dave Strong, director at Hexa Consulting, said: “This project is set to deliver a truly outstanding facility and we’re pleased to have played our part in getting it to this stage. It’s been fantastic to work alongside GT3 to provide a full suite of assessment and design services, which aligns this project with the wider regeneration of Bedworth. We look forward to seeing the leisure centre brought to fruition through a continued collaborative team effort.” The team’s project approach combines a unique blend of uses to create a leisure destination which will play a role in the regeneration of Bedworth and act as a catalyst for further future developments. For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
Ecofill, a brand new and sustainable alternative to the use of aggregates in traditional earthworks construction has appointed former UK Construction Minister and former Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Dr Nigel Griffiths, as Chairman. Dr Griffiths celebrates an esteemed and extensive portfolio of career highlights spanning five decades and was appointed Chairman of Ecofill Ltd in July of 2022. Based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Ecofill is a ground-breaking technology for the construction sector that transforms all types of clays & subsoils into approved structural materials, on-site, which meet all National specifications for Highways and Earthworks. The Ecofill method of sustainable construction replaces the need to dispose of soils to landfill and the import of aggregates, and therefore drastically reduces lorry movements by 98% and carbon emissions by 96%. Not only is this a green-tech revolution, but it also reduces client costs by a staggering 40%. Trevor Gaughan, Founder of Ecofill, said “We are delighted with the appointment of Nigel Griffiths as our Chairman. Nigel brings vast experience from various government departments and equally in industry and will gratefully assist in the delivery of the National and International Growth strategy of Ecofill”. “Ecofill will revolutionise the way we approach construction & will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and costs of Earthworks & Infrastructure globally. It’s a privilege to chair this dynamic company and bring my focus to quality, performance and education in the next generation of construction engineers,” said Dr Griffiths. Griffiths, a native of Edinburgh, was a specialist advisor to the Cabinet Office and Climate Action.org during COP26 held in Glasgow last year and is also founder of the Low Carbon Forum. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1987 and holds the title of longest serving Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South in history. Other UK Government positions held were Trade Minister and Minister for Corporate & Social Responsibility. He retired from politics in 2010 but has continued as an international political advisor and ambassador for various companies, organisations and executive boards and embraces Ecofill as the perfect fit to continue his efforts in sustainability and in making a real change towards the current climate crisis and the UK governments targets for a Carbon Net-Zero 2050. Ecofill’s Management Team have been invited to Geneva in September to attend the Annual conference hosted by FIDIC, The International Federation of Consulting Engineers, where it will be working to identify new opportunities to grow globally. More information on Ecofill can be found at www.ecofill.uk
Rainham-based GBS Fire Protection has signed a three-year deal with Eleven Sports Media to join the London Stadium Associate Partnership programme. The deal will enable GBS to utilise powerful digital fan engagement platforms installed throughout the London Stadium, to promote their services to fans within the 60,000-capacity arena. GBS Fire Protection is a multiple award-winning fire protection specialist, which offers a comprehensive range of fully integrated, passive fire protection solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial properties. With extensive experience working in the construction sector, GBS are experts in providing in-built passive fire protection solutions that impede the spread of fire and smoke damage to commercial properties. Away from the stadium, access to Eleven’s customer-targeted, social content will be afforded to GBS, allowing them to advertise their services towards a target designated audience. The company plans to use its status as an Associate Partner to reach out to new customers in need of reliable fire prevention services. Tomas Tamosaitis, of GBS Fire Protection explains, “We’re excited to be working with Eleven Sports Media and the London Stadium to share our message, which is an incredibly important one. By integrating the right fire prevention solutions at the earliest stage of construction, we can make significant budget savings for our clients. Not only that, we can help design a solution that maximises its effectiveness, which may ultimately save lives.” GBS provide a range of passive fire protection services, from intumescent paints which slow the spread of flames, to blast proof ceilings and smoke and fire barriers, all of which are incredibly effective at slowing damage in the event of a fire. GBS will use the Associate Partner platform, to deliver its message via digital displays throughout the concourse and hospitality areas of the London Stadium, as well as in the stadium bowl, where it can be shared with a huge television audience, through which the company can reach a nationwide audience. GBS has offices in London and Derby, and provides fire protection services for SME’s and multinational clients throughout the UK and internationally. As part of its agreement, GBS will use high impact mid-tier LED throughout Premier League games, as well as the enormous external LED wrap, which can’t be missed on approach to the stadium, to deliver its message and reach new clients. As an Associate Partner, GBS will increase its opportunity to reach new clients, through a series of exclusive networking events at which London’s business community come together to share contacts and experiences. In an innovative move, Eleven Sports Media has launched a new digital networking app, Eleven Connect, which enables Associate Partners to engage with one another even when not face to face. The technology has proven to be incredibly effective for its partners, with Eleven Sprots Media having recently been awarded Best Use of Technology to Amplify Assets or Existing Partnerships at the UK Sponsorship Awards, and a host of nominations at the 2022 Football Business Awards. As an Associate Partner, GBS Fire Protection go into the 2022/23 Premier League season with a hugely visible presence at the London Stadium, in an effort to expedite their ambitious growth strategy. To learn more about GBS Fire Protection, visit www.gbsfirepro.co.uk.
