News
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By Talk. Build The Future Homes Hub, established in response to the Future Homes Task Force's call for collaborative efforts, aims to facilitate the creation of high-quality, sustainable homes and resilient communities that align with the UK government's net-zero and environmental targets. Committed to working together, Mira Showers, the newly acquired Recoup, waste-water heat recovery specialists, and the Future Homes Hub share common values and are focused on developing innovative solutions that benefit both consumers and the planet. Founded in 1921, Mira Showers has a rich heritage of design, innovation, and commitment to its people and community. Mira Showers remains dedicated to providing solution-led products that meet the needs of its customers while prioritising sustainability. Likewise, Recoup also shares the same sustainability ethos and commitment to pioneering environmentally friendly change. By becoming an associate member of the Future Homes Hub, Mira Showers is taking a proactive role in driving water efficiency and sustainable showering practices. The company's expertise, gained from over 100 years in the industry, will contribute to the development of technical solutions for regulatory changes and the overcoming of barriers to successful implementation. Mira Showers will actively collaborate with the homebuilding sector, supply chain partners, and government organisations to drive industry-led proposals for current and future policy challenges. Mira Showers' commitment to sustainability extends beyond its association with the Future Homes Hub. The company's dedication is outlined in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, which provides detailed information on its sustainability practices and initiatives, including the innovation of sustainable products and efficient water usage, and waste reduction during the manufacturing process. The Future Homes Hub operates as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee, bringing together leading homebuilders and related organisations. With over 50 of the largest homebuilders already committed to the Hub's vision, it acts as a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and overcoming sector-wide challenges. While its immediate focus is on England, the Hub aims to extend its reach to other UK nations in the future, with strong interest already expressed from colleagues in Wales and Scotland. Mira Showers' membership in the Future Homes Hub highlights the company's dedication to water efficiency and sustainability. By leveraging its expertise and collaborating with industry leaders, Mira Showers aims to deliver innovative showering solutions that enhance the consumer experience while conserving water resources.81 views Aug 16, 2023 -
By Talk. Build As a result of this redevelopment, the Wishaw site is projected to allow the production of up to 35,000 tonnes of mortars and 12,000 tonnes of Sika’s market leading single coat render, Monorex per year - bringing the combined total for all Sika UK sites to over 100,000 tonnes of both mortars and façade products annually. Previously dedicated to the manufacture of Enewall products, the site will now focus on the production of SikaWall; a range of renders and systems from the trusted Sika brand. Incorporating Sika’s renowned high levels of customer service with a quality product, the newly rebranded SikaWall range is one which customers and applicators can have confidence in. The redevelopment of the Wishaw site further strengthens Sika’s capability to manufacture market leading products within the UK and consequently improves our ability to mitigate supply chain issues which have affected the building industry over the last two years. Commissioning of the Wishaw site was carried out at the beginning of April with production scheduled to commence later in the month.791 views May 04, 2022
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By Talk. Build Sika MonoTop®rewrites the rule book in terms of low-carbon concrete by generating fewer CO2emissions compared to other concrete repair solutions – up to 1 tonne of CO2 per 100m2. In order to promote the range and Sika’s commitment to sustainability, the company is to host a webinar at 11am on Monday, January 31st. Presented by James Collett, Sika’s Area Specification Manager – Specialist Construction Solutions, and Sustainability Manager, Dr Sarah Peake, the course is an opportunity for contractors, specifier and architects to learn about how MonoTop® – a proven, high-performance concrete repair solution – can also reduce their carbon footprint. John Baron, Specialist Construction Solutions, Business Unit Manager at Sika said: “The new sustainable Sika MonoTop® concrete repair range is a result of our unique mindset and development efforts. We’re proud of this product, as it proves more performance and more sustainability is possible.” MonoTop® sets new standards in sustainable concrete repair. It comprises Sika MonoTop®-1010, Sika MonoTop®-3020 and Sika MonoTop®-4012 and as well as generating fewer emissions than comparable concrete repair systems, its dust-reducing properties limit particle emissions by up to 70% during application, thus resulting in safer, less-polluted, more comfortable on-site working conditions for operatives. MonoTop®’s environmentally-friendly credentials are also essential to achieving BREEAM/LEED requirements. Each British Standard-approved product within the system, including the bonding binder and the concrete and levelling mortars, contains recycled waste materials. John added: “With MonoTop®, we’ve developed a concrete repair solution that benefits the construction industry and the environment. Join our webinar to find out how MonoTop® can benefit your next project.”805 views Jan 18, 2022
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By Talk. Build The new products launched as part of the MonoTop® range consist of the following: - Sika MonoTop®-1010, Sika MonoTop®-3020, MonoTop®-4012, which generates less CO2emissions compared to other concrete repair solutions – up to 1 tonne ofCO2 per 100m2 – earned its CRA nomination in the ‘Innovation’ category. Ideal for new-build and refurbishment projects, MonoTop® rewrites the rule book in terms of low-carbon concrete repair. Its sustainability is enhanced by its dust-reducing properties which limit particle emissions by up to 70% during application, resulting in safer, less-polluted, more comfortable on-site working conditions for operatives. John Baron, Specialist Construction Solutions Business Unit Manager at Sika, said: “The MonoTop®range highlights Sika’s commitment to developing products which achieve new levels of sustainability without compromising the company’s primary function as a trusted repair resource. The CRA nomination, of which we’re extremely proud, is in recognition of this ability. MonoTop®’’s production is a testament to the technical ingenuity of our superb research and development teams.” MonoTop®’s environmentally-friendly credentials are essential to achieving BREEAM/LEED requirements. Indeed, each British Standard-approved product within the system, including the bonding binder and the concrete and levelling mortars, contains recycled waste materials. Category winners of this year’s CRA awards will be announced onFriday, December 3rd at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel, London.870 views Dec 01, 2021
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By Talk. Build The company’s ‘Repair and Refurbishment’ nomination follows Sika products and expertise being used to facilitate the successful redevelopment of 80 Charlotte Street in central London. The part new-build, part-refurbishment project involved combining a Royal Mail depot – which was originally built in the 1960s – with a neighbouring, newly-constructed commercial site in order to create a single development containing offices, apartments, retail and a new public park. To reduce waste and carbon emissions and ensure strict sustainability targets could be met, about 30% of the original Royal Mail building was retained. This meant reinforced concrete slabs within the structure required strengthening to uphold its long-term integrity. Sika’s Carbon fibre composite plates were seen as the ideal fortifying solution. Speaking of the CRA nomination, John Baron at Sika, said: “This is great news. It speaks volumes for the reputation Sika enjoys throughout the industry that our expertise and products were called upon for the challenging refurbishment of the Royal Mail site. The awards shortlisting is recognition of our teams’ brilliant work in bringing this superb redevelopment to a successful conclusion.” Sika’s involvement in the Charlotte Street project not only involved supplying the Sika® CarboDur® structural strengthening plates and Sikadur®-30 adhesives, its technical teams supported the structural engineer during the programme’s design phase and subsequently, offered on-site support with regular visits and inspections. Sika’s new Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) software was also key to the Post Office’s refurbishment, as it was used to design the applied Sika® CarboDur® structural strengthening solution. Carbon fibre strengthening offers more benefits over traditional strengthening with steel or concrete due to the lightweight nature of the material, which is quick and easy to install and has a total build-up typically of only 3-5mm, thus minimising its impact on the structure. As well as offering greater weight resistance than traditional refurbishment processes, Carbon fibre strengthening is also kinder to the environment. It requires fewer materials, less energy, labour and machinery to install than steel reinforcement. John Baron at Sika added: “The carbon fibre strengthening process was a vital aspect of the Charlotte Street programme. It resulted in a more rapid refurbishment programme for which safety, quality and sustainability were not compromised. This project was a triumph for Sika and installing contractor, Gunite (Eastern) Ltd).” The overall winners of this year’s CRA awards will be announced on Wednesday, November 17th at a ceremony being held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.603 views Nov 12, 2021
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By Talk. Build The online presentation, which takes place at 11.00 am on Friday, 18th June, includes an in-depth look at the pioneering floor solution; an effective alternative to dry screeds for building projects where a conventional screed is unsuitable due to a building’s load-bearing capacity. With a minimum layer thickness of only 14mm, Schönox Renotex 3D is thought to offer the thinnest floating screed in the world. Gavin White, Marketing and Product Manager at Sika said: “We’re extremely excited to be giving Schönox Renotex 3D its official launch via our webinar. It’s yet another Sika product that lives up to our reputation for innovation. The Schönox Renotex 3D system’s versatility is its strength and we believe this system is a real asset to the industry. The webinar is an opportunity for flooring professionals to learn how Schönox Renotex 3D can benefit them.” A hybrid system, Schönox Renotex 3D comprises a patented mesh which in combination with Schönox HS 50 – a low-stress hybrid levelling compound – allows for the application of extremely thin layers of screed. Despite its slender composition, the screed creates an extremely robust substrate to receive floor finishes in commercial and industrial environments with a prevalence of foot traffic. Such is its strength, Schönox Renotex 3D refurbishes contaminated and damaged floors without the need to deconstruct them, resulting in a time and cost-effective application. In terms of its adaptability, Schönox Renotex 3D can be used in conjunction with underfloor heating, fire insulation and sound insulation. Suitable with most floor coverings, rapid-apply, self-stablising Sika-patented Schönox Renotex mesh is key to the system’s outstanding performance. In addition, it has low installation height and requires minimal preparation, hence it is user-friendly and long-term effective. This powerful set of properties add up the overall impact of Schönox Renotex 3D – an exceptional versatile, rapid-drying screed system for the worst possible flooring. Further information regarding the system and its application is available via the webinar, which will last for approximately one-hour and includes a Q&A session with Sika Floor’s expert technical team. There is also a chance to discover more about Sika’s full range of Schönox screeds, floor adhesives, primers and waterproof membranes. Gavin White added: “Those with a vested interest in the development of products which increase the scope of a screed’s application and performance will not want to miss this webinar. We look forward to seeing you all on 18th June.” To book a place on the webinar, or for more information visit: https://sika.webex.com/sika/onstage/g.php?MTID=e071013c47e2a446fdbeca40af4ce6937846 views Jun 10, 2021
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By Talk. Build For many in-patients, the prospect of daily visits from their loved ones is what gets them through each day. However, as the pandemic has caused all healthcare sites to crack down on health and safety to minimise viral spread, routine visitations have had to be side-lined. Terry Smith, CPI EuroMix’s plant manager at Beaconsfield has connections at Wycombe Hospital. With the current restrictions preventing hospital visits, many patients spend all day on their own with no company or communications beyond the hospital’s four walls. CPI EuroMix was asked if it could help in some way. CPI EuroMix personally delivered its donation of 15 DAB radios to the ward’s sister, Kirsty. The radios will bring a piece of home to patients’ beds and enable them to feel better connected with the outside world. Stuart Russell, Contracts Manager at CPI EuroMix said: “It was really important for us to be involved in some way and put a smile on hospital patients’ faces. It must be such an isolating time staying at hospital right now, so knowing we’ve made a difference to someone’s day is truly heart-warming.”752 views Apr 12, 2021
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By Talk. Build About 125 firefighters and 25 fire engines were called to battle the blaze at the Self-Storage Tameside facility in Denton on 21st February. Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the wider impact to the hundreds of people who had rented units and lost stored goods will be felt long after the fire was extinguished by the fire and rescue service. Self-Storage Tameside customers included Rebecca Dakin, a business owner who reports losing £100,000 of stock from a new start-up, and Donna Hilton who lost her worldly possessions. These fires are challenging to contain due to the large quantity of furniture and often unknown materials which are normally tightly-packed into facilities of this type. These incidents create large fires that burn hard for a long time, creating a lot of smoke which in this case could be seen across Manchester, causing the evacuation of nearby residential areas and the closure of the nearby M67 motorway. The fire in Denton follows similar fires from the Safehouse fire in 2017, Shurgard as we left 2018 and through to the Twinwoods Business Park fire in 2019. The catastrophic Shurgard Self Storage fire in Croydon, which also had no sprinklers, destroyed every one of its 1198 storage units. The cause of the blaze was filed as undetermined. Shurgard’s new replacement four-storey facility opened last year with the owners making the decision to include sprinklers in the rebuild despite not being required by building regulations. “One of the big questions with these self-storage facilities is how anyone can claim protection against fire based on the light separation between units and the lack of knowledge of what people are putting into their individual units,” said Iain Cox, Chair of the Business Sprinkler Alliance. “Can self-storage operators assume that a fire will be contained in such circumstances and therefore offer comfort to their customers?” It’s another painful reminder that fire does not discriminate; whether it is a self-storage warehouse, a university, a car park or an office, fires happen on a regular basis. However, they can be contained and extinguished by systems such as sprinklers to ensure that life is not put at risk and businesses, jobs and the economy are protected. Sprinklers are a proven method of controlling fires. They allow fire crews the time to safely gain access and extinguish fire and we welcome their consideration as a way of ensuring that properties of all types are adequately protected.747 views Apr 12, 2021
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By Talk. Build In a briefing paper published today (https://www.bikbbi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BiKBBI-Briefing-Paper-Uber-Ruling.pdf) BiKBBI, which represents thousands of tradespeople and retailers in the home improvement industry, warns that the model of subcontracting installers to fit new kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms will now be open to scrutiny. It calls on retailers to audit their relationships with installers and, if necessary, adapt their working practices to avoid being vulnerable to employment tribunals. BiKBBI’s briefing paper, which is issued to members and partners across the home improvement industry, highlights how the Uber ruling means that the “totality of the relationship between businesses and subcontractors” will be looked at in determining employment status, following the ruling, rather than just the specific contractual terms. It warns that “if businesses are recognised as having an undue level of control over how the subcontractor goes about their work and allows no room for negotiation over what they are paid, they are likely to be classified as employers and carry all of the obligations that go along with it.” The warning is intended as a wakeup call to home improvement retailers that rely on subcontracted installers to offer a turnkey service to consumers. It is estimated that around 40% of skilled installers work with major and independent retailers in this way and could now be in a position to demand rights such as sick pay, paid holiday and pension contributions. Damian Walters, Chief Executive of BiKBBI, said: “The Uber ruling is a potential game changer for the home improvement industry and many retailers will need to quickly adapt how they work with their installers before being forced to do so in ways that may hurt their businesses.” BiKBBI recommends that home improvement retailers that rely on subcontracted installers audit the terms of their commercial relationships against the employment criteria established by the Uber ruling. Where it is clear that commercial relationships with subcontracted installers do fit the criteria established by the Supreme Court for employee status, retailers should decide whether to: • Formally agree terms of employment with installers so that they are fulfilling all necessary obligations; • Adapt their working model and relationship with installers so that they do not meet the criteria for employment status that has been established by the Supreme Court’s Uber ruling; • Consider use of third party platforms, such as Protect My Install or other credible intermediaries, and a hybrid, demonstrating they no longer hold direct relationships with subcontracted installers. As an example, this could mean the sale and subcontracting of dry fit installation, utilising the third party platform to transact the supplementary work. Damian Walters, added: “Subcontracting works for retailers who are able to call on a flexible, skilled workforce, and for installers who value the independence of self employment longside the certainty of regular work. However, the debate about ‘gig economy’ working will inevitably reach our industry soon. It’s absolutely vital to get in front of this by adopting innovative new working models that ensure installers are treated fairly and retailers can most effectively serve their customers.”705 views Mar 29, 2021
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By Talk. Build The relaunch will see the HAKI Design Tool webpage refashioned into an easier-to-navigate page that hits the marks on visuals. Modules in the cloud-based HAKI Configurator will also be updated. The HAKI Configurator is a new facility under the HAKI Design Tool umbrella that is designed for HAKI customers to better visualise and estimate their simple HAKI scaffold structures. The latest module upgrades – including the popular HAKI Universal module – will enable immediate updates to the 3D scaffold models so that customers can design at a far quicker pace. Clients will have the possibility to export an estimated bill of materials (BoM), and will be able to export the 3D model to a 3D programme to collaborate on the model with different customers and partners. Additionally, the HAKI Configurator tool will allow increased interaction with 3D models on the HAKI Universal module and more. In the previous iteration of HAKI Configurator, customers had to manually enter in product details to add the scaffolding. With the latest updates however, customers will only have to click on the desired system for it to appear where it needs to be on the model. This update will be hugely beneficial to HAKI Configurator users. Commenting on the relaunch and updates, Mattias Kuduk R&D/VDC and Innovation Manager at HAKI said: “We are very excited to unveil the HAKI Design Tool webpage’s new look. The webpage will feature two main categories: HAKI Configurator and HAKI BIM. The benefits for our customers will be in terms of pace, interaction and visualisation. The biggest change will be in terms of the modules. Not only will our modules update at greater speeds, customers will be able to interact more with the 3D models.” This is an automatic update for all current users of the HAKI Design Tool. HAKI BIM – an Autodesk Revit plugin – will also be upgraded so it is compatible with the latest Revit 2021 edition. HAKI BIM enables scaffold designers and contractors the ability to improve cost, time and project management in more complex temporary works. The accuracy of HAKI BIM minimises the risk of error to ensure scaffold solutions are safe and fit for purpose.625 views Mar 26, 2021
