March 2018

EWI: Q&A
“GOOD IDEAS CAN FALL FOUL OF
POOR EXECUTION”
Chris Kendall, Field Engineer for Baumit, answers Total Contractor’s questions on his role,
the market in general, training and funding for the energy efficiency sector
TC: Could you tell us a bit about Baumit
and its offering for contractors and
installers…
CK: Baumit offers a wide range of innovative,
tested products from external wall insulation
systems to façade renders, paints and healthy
living indoor plasters. Our brand was created in
1988, following collaboration between two
Austrian building materials companies. Since
then we’ve become one of Europe’s leading
brands with a presence in more than 30
countries.
Images: Baumit has recently opened an EWI training facility in Kent. Email: contact@baumit.co.uk for more information
TC: You’re a Field Engineer at Baumit, can
you describe what this role involves...
CK: Dealing with customers and helping them
overcome on-site installation issues and offering
support where necessary.
TC: What was your path into construction
and your current position?
CK: I was introduced to construction through my
father’s business. I went to Germany in 1991 and
worked there for nine years on external wall
insulation and internal renders and plasters.
When I returned to the UK, I branched-out into
site management, then after a number of years
moved into contract management. From there, I
was offered a field engineer’s position at Baumit.
TC: There still seems to be some outdated
perceptions regarding a career in
construction; how have you found your
time in the construction sector?
CK: Construction is a fantastic trade to be in. It’s
given me a great career path and I’ve always
been in work. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people at
all levels, and no two working days are the same
- there’s always something to learn.
TC: Baumit has recently opened a new
training facility in Kent – what prompted
this decision? Was it because the market
is buoyant, or is it to bridge the skills gap
when installing EWI?
CK: A bit of both, really. With the Government
focused on improving the UK’s energy-deficient
housing stock, the EWI market is undoubtedly
buoyant. Yet, according to contractors, architects
and the like in response to a recent industry-wide
survey, a lack of insulation installation experience
is seen as a major obstacle in bridging the
current skills gap.
TC: Who are you looking to attract to the
new training facility?
It’s open to those within the industry who are
looking to gain further theoretical and practical
experience in a range of EWI systems and
practices. Our experts are fully-equipped to
ensure clients come away better informed of the
processes and systems involved.
TC: What are the different courses on offer?
CK: Three course levels are available – bronze,
silver and gold – offering the following:
Bronze is for those with minimal experience in EWI
systems. It’s mainly theory-based and ideal for site
managers, site supervisors and contract managers
looking to extend their knowledge of external
70 TC MARCH 2018