December 2023

TC: What are some of the most common
mistakes that contractors / installers make
when it comes to the fixing aspects of
projects and ensuring a safe and secure fix?
BM: The construction industry is changing, and
today there is a need for compliance but also
products to meet the required performance
criteria, not just of the initial installation but
throughout the life cycle of the building.
Awareness increasingly runs through the supply
chain, from installation operatives right through
to the client. So it is important that we all play our
part in maintaining and strengthening what is
now being termed the ‘golden thread’. Third party
accreditation for even the smallest of
components, therefore, is essential in delivering
compliant, sustainable buildings.
TC: What are some of the key issues and
innovations you’ve been tackling and
working on in the APPLITEC R&D facility
at EJOT? Any interesting bespoke fixing
solutions you can tell us about?
BM: There is always a high demand for new,
innovative and improved products and solutions.
Our R&D team work closely with OEMs and
customers across many sectors in both
construction and industrial industries. By the very
nature of R&D, confidentiality and any NDAs have
to be respected, so all we can say is watch this
space! But readers can contact EJOT if they have
a challenging project or need a solution to
enhance their application, or even just to improve
productivity or performance requirements.
TC: As highlighted by the Colorfast range,
there’s already some very innovative
fastener solutions on the market – what’s
really driving innovation in terms of fixing
and fastener solutions within the
construction sector?
BM: Materials and systems change to meet the
demands of an ever changing industry. Demands
for improved performance, sustainability and
environmental credentials, together with the drive
for improved productivity, are just a few of the
catalysts driving innovation and product
Above: The Colorfast range of fixing solutions from EJOT.
improvements. The fastener is a vital contributor
within a system/application because it connects
the components together.
So when refining a system, there is also a need
for the fastener component to work within the
design parameters and installation of the system.
It may be possible to use an existing fastener
system if testing can prove its performance
capabilities, but you also have to be ready to
develop new products to complement and work
within the system.
TC: Can you tell us about some of the
more interesting projects the Colorfast
range has been used on…
BM: The vast majority of Colorfast products are
manufactured in goosewing grey, which is no
surprise given the nature of many UK and Irish
building envelopes constructed using coloured
roofing and cladding sheets, such as in the retail
and industrial sectors. Many of the more unusual
orders, however, are often bound for our export
customers.
Initially we supplied Colorfast for overseas
projects on demand, which included a diverse
range of applications, most notably the British
Antarctic Survey’s Halley Research Station back
in 2006. But this is by no means the only
installation of Colorfast in locations where
extreme climatic conditions are experienced.
Exports are growing strongly around the world, with
recent applications including a cold store facility in
Trinidad & Tobago, and a number of retail stores
operated by a major Australian supermarket chain
where the colour of the screw head has been
tailored to match the customer’s brand.
TC: How are you finding the market
currently – are you fairly positive for the
next couple of years?
BM: The construction industry is always a
challenging and demanding market. Keeping in
close contact with and listening to the needs of
the industry, as well as keeping up to date with
changing legislation, ensures we can continue to
innovate and apply new technology – and this
means we can best support our customer base.
We are always ready to support the industry with
a positive and progressive attitude. It is
something we have done so for the past 100+
years, and we are determined to continue to
support and innovate, keeping the company’s
ethos alive.
TC: It’s been a busy year for EJOT UK as a
business, what can customers look forward
to moving forward, what’s on the horizon?
BM: Customers can be assured of consistency
with a range of products that evolve as the
industry and market changes. As a solutionbased
company, we pride ourselves on our
technical expertise and the support we provide
which has been shaped in a number of ways –
from the feedback and market intelligence our
regional sales engineers gain through their
construction site experiences, the knowledge
within our Applitec Centre team, and from our
customer service teams.
I am also actively involved with the major
organisations dedicated to continuously
improving standards and ensuring we, as an
industry, are able to comply with evolving
legislation, such as the recently published
Building Safety Act. Being able to contribute to
the future of the industry via the NFRC Technical
Committee, the MCRMA, the CPA (Construction
Products Association) and the BSI working group
is invaluable, as it gives us early insights into
tomorrow’s challenges.
Contact EJOT UK
www.ejot.co.uk
EJOT UK Ltd
DECEMBER 2023 TC 43