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Building and Facilities News Issue 990

People that read Building and Facilities News work in the key areas of the UK Building and Facilities Management sectors in such positions as Specifiers, Facilities Managers, Directors, Senior Buyers, Project Managers, Site Managers, and individuals involved in Buildings Management.

People that read Building and Facilities News work in the key areas of the UK Building and Facilities Management sectors in such positions as Specifiers, Facilities Managers, Directors, Senior Buyers, Project Managers, Site Managers, and individuals involved in Buildings Management.

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Tel: 0121 550 4593 ● www.buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk ● January ● Issue 990

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The future is electric

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles

Page 24

Manosun

4

Service

Sealing

Solutions 13

13 GreenRaft

22



Editor’s Comments

Storm Henk is the

latest to hit the

UK and the eighth

such-named storm

in the space of

three months to

leave havoc, destruction and flooding in its

wake. One of the biggest concerns facing the

Environment Agency, Defra, hydrologists,

climate scientists and civil engineers is the

risk of future flooding across the country.

This month, we feature Bartels & Vedder as

our Flood-Resilient Building Company of the

Month. Page 17.

We showcase a great article on Top cleaning

machinery picks for facility managers, where

Nina Wyers, Marketing & Brand Director

at The

Floorbrite

Group,

gives an

insider’s

perspective

on what’s hot in cleaning machines for

the commercial sector. Pages 8-9.

Aluminium windows and doors were a rising

trend in 2023 and that continues into 2024.

Adding a clean, contemporary and stylish

design to any home or building, it comes

as no surprise that aluminium remains a

popular choice among many homeowners

and businesses. On page 10 we feature

Duration Windows as our Company of the

Month and one of the UK’s largest leading

Contents

Nicola Tromans

Editor & Office Manager

aluminium windows, doors & roof

manufacturers.

Continuing the theme of building

aesthetics and design, we also

feature MKM Building Supplies as

our Builders’ Merchant of the Month.

Celebrating over 27 years in the industry,

MKM offers a comprehensive range of

products for both trade and retail customers,

including building supplies, plumbing

and heating, timber, joinery, kitchen and

bathroom showrooms, and landscaping

displays. Page 11.

Don’t forget to send us your latest BFN

updates and news. Email us at:

info@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk

Building and

Facilities News

Company of the Month 4

With over 22 years of HSE

and industrial hand

protection expertise,

Steven Patterson

has steered

Manosun towards

steady national and

European branded

recognition.

Conservation

Professional 6

The Institute of

Historic Building

Conservation

(IHBC) is the UK’s

professional body for

building conservation

practitioners and historic environment

experts and was incorporated as a

charity and limited company in 1997.

Cleaning & Facilities

Management 8-9

The Floorbrite Group’s

Dave Careless is

responsible for c.5,000

pieces of cleaning

machinery in the UK.

Contacts

On the Cover

Editor & Office Manager, Nicola Tromans – 0121 550 4593

nicolatromans@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk

Editorial, Gina Burton – 07483 931474 – gina@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk

Production Manager, Robert Sharp

production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

Accounts Department, Paul Whitaker – 0121 824 4742

accounts@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

For more information or format requirements, see our Media Pack

The entire content of this publication is advertorial based.

To place an advertorial or an advert, please call 0121 550 4593.

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles 24

Bradshaw is the official UK distributor for Goupil, all-electric,

zero-emission light commercial road and utility vehicles. Goupil

was founded in 1996 and quickly established itself as a leading

manufacturer of electric utility vehicles.

Company of the Month 10

Over the past

three decades

since its

establishment in

1985, Duration

Windows has become one of the UK’s

largest leading aluminium windows,

doors & roof manufacturers.

Company of the Month 11

Celebrating over 28

years of surpassing

customer expectations,

builders’ merchant

MKM has grown from a

single site in Hull to an

expansive network of

over 124 UK branches.

BFN is sponsored

by Bartels &

Vedder – see them

on page 17


Industrial Hand Protection Company of the Month

For hands that work: The

industrial solution in hand

protection development

For many Brits, the first real introduction to

industrial, large-scale PPE was during the

COVID-19 Pandemic. Hospital staff wore

head-to-toe PPE to protect the British public

at large and civilians were instructed to wear

masks, use hand sanitiser regularly and keep

two metres apart.

Steven Patterson was

one of the many

casualties of the

COVID-19 pandemic,

firstly being made

redundant from

his job as Product

Development

Manager and

secondly, becoming so

ill from COVID-19, that

he was transferred to

his local ICU hospital

unit. Luckily Steven

recovered and, with

the help of a Chinese

manufacturing investor,

set up a new hand protection company:

Manosun. With over 22 years of HSE and

industrial hand protection expertise, Steven

has steered Manosun towards steady national

and European branded recognition.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) of

course goes beyond hospital staff: it is worn

to minimise protection to workplace hazards

such as: chemical, radiation, electrical,

through to mechanical. Once the only option,

latex gloves are now seen as wasteful and

prone to tearing and sectors now demand

greater protection at work. Manosun offers a

wide range of industrial hand protection, such

as the Manosun EUWD1320 double dipped

sponge latex grip and cut glove: cut Level C

and workable at -10ºC – perfect for freezing,

cold winter conditions.

Manosun is a leading designer and

manufacturer of innovative industrial hand

protection for multiple industrial applications.

The product range at Manosun consists

of hand protection products are supplied

to household names such as Nissan, JDR

Cables, and SUEZ. Alongside

an extensive product range,

Manosun offers to survey

work places and promptly

recommend the correct level

of hand protection required.

In some instances, Manosun

can even develop a brand-new,

bespoke product to the exact

requirements of the customer.

Established in 2020 by Steven

Patterson, Country Manager UK

& Europe, alongside sponsorship

In this issue of Building

& Facilities News,

we are delighted to

select Manosun as

our Industrial Hand

Protection Company

of the Month

from a manufacturing plant

in Shanghai, China, the

company offers a wide

range of PPE-compliant hand

protection, industrial gloves,

gauntlets and sleeves.

With a warehouse and office

located in South Shields, close

to the port and in the heart

of the North East automotive

sector, Manosun supplies

the engineering, automotive,

manufacturing, civil, power

generation, and oil & gas industries.

We caught up with Steven to find out more,

“Manosun is a Brand of Industrial Hand

Protection and we work with the end-user,

offering a hand protection survey in the

workplace looking at applications that are

causing issues or just an overview to switch

brand or supplier of current PPE.

“Manosun offers a range or reusable gloves

for many tasks and we also develop or tweak

current styles to become a more bespoke

piece of PPE for a task/application where

current PPE has failed.

“It is difficult to reinvent the wheel within a

saturated market of PPE and gloves are very

high on that list of consumable products

offering: comfort, durability, sustainability

as well as practicality with touchscreen

compatibility. We can also offer longevity,

with the ability to launder your

gloves adding extra life to your

investment.

“We pride ourselves on only

utilising premium materials

and yarns, to provide a

product, with longevity at

its core. All our products

have enhanced flexibility and

dexterity, precision-designed

for minimal hand fatigue. The

360° breathe technology, allows

hands to keep cool while

working. Our lead times are

quick across product ordering,

to full site survey appointments.

“During 2023, we introduced our new

Manosun Basic range: a cost-effective,

sustainable, eco-range, suitable for

construction and high consumable users.

Our hand protection survey is free for endusers,

with 50+ users of gloves

within their business. The

survey compliments any

risk assessment and helps

promote standard operations

on the shop floor.

“We have attended trade

shows throughout 2023,

such as the SHE Show North

West at Old Trafford, to further

showcase our product range.

“We adopt best working practice

across all company, this is

demonstrated through working

alongside the British Safety

Industry Federation (BSIF), The

Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) and

the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA).

We keep abreast of all ongoing national and

European PPE recommendations, following

guidance from the BSIF.

“Manosun has the ability to work on small

MOQs from our sponsor factory in China and

the ability to develop new products for

an ever-changing work environment

offering products where

‘not all solutions are

off the shelf’. From

ARC, Impact, FR. CUT

and General handling

applications, our

products are the ideal

solution for a range of

industries.

“The Manosun BASIC

glove range contain

rPET – made from

recycled plastic

materials, to make

industrial Polyester. Each glove pair

contains on average 36% recycled materials,

showing our steadfast commitment to

sustainability in the green era.

“Looking ahead to 2024, we are hoping to add

two additional field sales personnel by the

end of the year, to join our rapidly expanding

North (Scotland) and South-based teams.”

Contact: Steven Patterson

M +44 (0)7468 904409

steven.patterson@manosun.co.uk

www.manosun.co.uk

4

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


Elevate your fire

protection knowledge

Celebrating 50

years as a global

leader in passive fire

protection, Nullifire,

part of Tremco CPG,

announces an exciting

lineup of CPDs and

training sessions for

2024. Nullifire takes

pride in offering a

comprehensive range

of training programs

and CPDs designed

to meet the diverse

needs of professionals

and organisations.

From intumescent steel coatings

to fire stopping products, including

cavity fire barriers, Nullifire’s

training equips participants with the

knowledge to implement effective

passive fire protection solutions.

Our training programs cater to a

diverse audience. Whether you’re a

fire safety professional, a member of

an organisation, or part of a specific

industry, Nullifire’s training is crafted

to meet your unique needs. From

architects and main contractors

to applicators and installers, our

target audience encompasses those

committed to enhancing fire safety.

Participants can expect to enhance

their skills, receive certificates and

their CPD points, and gain insights

into addressing industry challenges.

The technical courses are structured

to provide detailed and practical

knowledge of our products that can

be immediately applied to real-world

scenarios.

Ready to elevate your fire

protection knowledge? Registration

for Nullifire’s training programs is

simple. Visit our website at: www.

nullifire.com/en-gb/stay-up-todate/events-training/

to explore the

upcoming courses and secure your

spot. No prerequisites are required;

our programs are designed to

accommodate professionals at all

levels of expertise.

Panasonic leads the

future of heat pumps

Panasonic Heating & Cooling

Solutions is introducing its

latest generation of Aquarea

air-to-water heat pumps with

the new M Series. Thanks to

its new, modular concept,

the M Series allows for more

application choices offering

different indoor units, available

in All-in-One and Bi-Bloc, as

well as full Control Box or

Remote controller-only essential

functionality options. The

advanced new system utilises

the natural refrigerant R290 for

a more sustainable solution and

includes Panasonic’s first T-CAP

R290 outdoor unit that features

a new injection compressor. The

M Series also has a hydraulic

connection between indoor

and outdoor units for simple

and straightforward installation

without the need for relevant

refrigeration certification.

Flexible and suit to all lifestyles

With its cutting-edge design,

the M Series offers a range of

flexible installation options.

New to the M series, the

Editor Recommends

outdoor unit can function as a

standalone system with just an

indoor remote control, making

it an ideal choice for those

seeking vital functionalities.

Homeowners can opt for

enhanced functionality by

incorporating the more

advanced Control Box or also

selecting between a Bi-bloc or

All-in-One system. This range

of choices allows the Aquarea

M Series to cater to a variety of

functionality needs and property

types, ensuring a tailored

solution for every user.

www.aircon.panasonic.eu

GEZE UK celebrates

160 years with bubbles,

bunting and balloons

GEZE, one of the world’s largest

manufacturers of innovative and

modern door, window and safety

technology has been celebrating

160 years in business across all of

its subsidiaries around the world

throughout 2023.

At GEZE UK

we invited all

colleagues

across our

8 offices

nationwide

to join in the

celebration

and have some

fun. Each office

was decorated

with bunting

and balloons

and staff were

sent cakes and

biscuits iced

with GEZE 160 years as well as

bubbles to blow and other goodies.

Under the motto hundred + sixty

years young GEZE has been

celebrating across the globe. In

addition a microsite www.160years.

geze.com has been created detailing

the company’s history. Founded

in 1863, in Germany, the business

remains in the same family and has

grown to employ over 3,000 people

globally, with 37 subsidiaries in 22

countries.

Kaz Spiewakowski, MD for GEZE

UK, said, “It’s

fantastic to

see so many

of our GEZE

UK colleagues

joining in the

fun to mark

our company’s

160th

anniversary. It

is an incredible

achievement

that at 160

years old the

company is still

family owned

and continues to grow and develop

innovative products.”

For more information about GEZE

UK’s comprehensive range of

automatic and manual door and

window control products, visit:

www.geze.co.uk

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 5


Conservation Professional Body of the Month

IHBC: Home of the

Conservation Professional

In this issue of Building & Facilities News, we are

delighted to select IHBC Enterprises Ltd as our

Conservation Professional Body of the Month

Historic England has found that many UK residents

visit heritage sites on a regular basis and wish to

see these important historical buildings maintained

for current and future generations. With such

high public support for the restoration and care of

historic buildings, it is imperative that the heritage

workforce itself has access to a multi-disciplinary

professional body.

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation

(IHBC) is the UK’s professional body for building

conservation practitioners and historic environment

experts and was incorporated as a charity and

limited company in 1997. The Institute is focused

on establishing, nurturing and maintaining the

highest standards of sustainable conservation

practice, bolstering the effective protection

and enhancement of historic environment and

advancing heritage-led regeneration and equal

access to the historic environment for all.

We spoke to Director, Séan O’Reilly, for more

insight, “We are a multi-disciplinary body, with

2,800 members from across the public, private,

government and third sectors, with over 30,000

separate users of socials and digital networks and

our website generates over 500,000 visits monthly.

“We are first and foremost a UK professional body

and registered charity, with

growing global links and

we offer our members a full

range of specialist services.

These include: generating

and hosting networking

and links across heritage,

construction and voluntary

sectors, with news, jobs,

educational and training

events, publications and

data, relevant practice

information and regulation, a jobs service and

guidance to clients and policy makers, all run

mostly free as a public service.

“We are also exploring the possibility of a petition

for a Royal Charter (#IHBCPetitionforCharter),

which is dependent on securing high levels of

support across our members & stakeholders & with

the prior agreement of the Privy Council Office.”

IHBC operates from a virtual office space, with

home-working staff and consultants across England

and Scotland and an admin base in Tisbury,

Wiltshire.

“Our members work across variety of industries,

crossing over the built and historic environment,

including cultural, environmental and development

government portfolios, and operating across

heritage, construction and voluntary sectors.

“Members operate across key place-making

professions: town planners, architects and

surveyors (40%) with engineers, educators,

architectural historians, urban designers,

archaeologists, garden historians and landscape

architects and many others.

“Our services are our

products, and have

a unique specialist

focus on conservation

interdisciplinary practice,

but made accessible to

practitioners from all

disciplines and backgrounds.

“Our Annual Schools

(conferences) target

specialist content and practitioners, and this

year our School in Reading is focussed on ‘Place

and Building Care’ and includes specific content

on buildings, facilities and estate care and

management. Case studies will range from St Paul’s

Cathedral in London to refurbishing and managing

historic public buildings.”

The ‘Place and Building Care’ (finance, policy &

people in conservation practice) Annual School will

take place from the 12-15 June 2024 in Reading

and is available in person and online. The price

for digital access and recordings for the main Day

School on the 14th June is priced at £35 and is

available to purchase from the website.

The IHBC Annual Schools offer leading innovative

thinking and valuable networking opportunities

from across the industry and delegates often

include conservation

specialists from across a

diverse range of disciplines

and practices. These

include: community and

strategic development

management planning,

architects, the third sector

and charities, urban design,

heritage management,

landscape and community,

archaeologists, construction

and engineering, policy makers, innovators and

many more.

Day-School delegates on the 14th June will have

the opportunity to access a day of cutting-edge

presentations, networking, discussions and

learning, whereas the Full School programme

runs on a restricted number policy. The Full

School (12th-15th June) will receive a multifaceted

programme of topics such as: expert and specialist

tours, on-site investigations, specialist networking

and celebratory events including a school

reception, Annual Dinner at Reading University

and the IHBC Student Award and Marsh Award

presentations.

“Delegates will explore

heritage conservation

and planning challenges

in managing buildings,

property and places. With

a focus on working with

finance, policy and people

in conservation, IHBC

members and non-members

will learn new insights,

especially regarding

sustainable management

and conservation issues from leading experts in

the field.

“The Day School and Full School are both

IHBC CPD-certified and are action-packed full

of case studies, practical guidance and expert

advice. In addition to the insightful networking

and learning opportunities, our IHBC (Heritage)

MarketPlace:LIVE is available to all through online

and Zoom channels and in the Breakout Room in

person.

“This is a manged online listing of stallholders

offering services, products, advice, guidance,

checks on planned changes across all aspects

of buildings and places. The stall listing includes

locations, descriptions, references, contacts and a

handy, ‘Share Link’ to forward to colleagues and

contacts.”

For information on the Reading Annual School,

see the link below:

https://ihbc.org.uk/reading2024/

For all other information and enquiries, see the

website below:

https://www.ihbc.org.uk/

6

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


Cleaning & Facilities Management

Dual Pumps Ltd: Dependable under pressure

We are a leading provider of pumps,

power equipment, and fluid handling

solutions to a wide range of industries

throughout the UK and export markets.

Our expertise extends to manufacturing

and selling pressure washers, pumping

systems, and component assemblies.

With a deep understanding of our

products and a network of industry

experts, we can cater to the specific

needs of our customers.

We are recognised as offering exceptional

service, characterised by speed, accuracy,

and flexibility. Our customers can count

on us for support and assistance, allowing

them to focus on serving their clients.

We value open communication and respect

in all our interactions and strive to be

helpful, personable, and friendly. We take

responsibility for our actions and always

follow through on our commitments.

With over 48 years in the industry, a

dedicated team, and our own warehouse,

production, and testing facilities, we are

well-equipped to meet the demands of our

partners and stock a wide range of quality

products.

Located in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire,

in the heart of the East Midlands, we have

good transport links and offer next-day

delivery to most of the UK. Good access to

New addition to

Toucan Eco range

Robert Scott has launched Centrego

Renew, a highly sustainable

disinfectant generator that uses just

water, salt and electricity to make

two litres of powerful, antibacterial

multi-surface cleaner in four

minutes.

The latest addition to the company’s

innovative Toucan Eco range,

Centrego Renew has been

developed in response

to customer demand

for enhanced choice

and versatility in

its sustainable

cleaning

solutions.

Compared to

the one litre

capacity of the

existing Toucan Eco

Worktop Centrego

Renew enables users to

create double the amount of

disinfectant cleaner, helping increase

efficiency and reduce downtime of

cleaning regimes. The UK-designed

product is also significantly sturdier

and more durable, making it the

perfect solution for busy small to

medium spaces.

The hypoallergenic disinfectant

East Midlands, Birmingham, and London

Stansted international airports enables easy

travelling for overseas visitors.

We pride ourselves on long-lasting

relationships with our customers and

suppliers built on trust and excellent service:

s Customer Care & Sales team are ready to

take your orders and help with enquiries.

s Technical experts to offer advice.

s Dedicated export sales advisor for

European and international export matters.

s Dual Pumps has a proud tradition of longserving

staff.

s 99% of customers surveyed, rated our

service as good or excellent.

s In a typical month, 99% of more than

2,400 calls are answered within a minute.

s More than 96% orders fill on active

products over a typical monthly period.

produced by Centrego Renew

replaces the need for up to 80%

of cleaning chemicals, as well as

the single use plastic bottles they

come in. Centrego Renew makes

fast-acting cleaning fluid in just four

minutes, or eight minutes for double

strength solution. Any surplus

solution reverts to its original state

which can be safely disposed of

down the sink.

Steve Courtney,

product lead for

Toucan Eco at

Robert Scott,

commented, “The

Toucan Eco range

represents a truly

revolutionary

step in sustainable

commercial

cleaning. It’s proven

hugely popular with

customers and it’s always

been important for us to

continue working with the industry

to understand their needs and keep

updating the range to meet that

demand.”

For more information or to arrange

a demo, please call 01457 819400,

email: info@robert-scott.co.uk or

visit: www.robert-scott.co.uk

Kärcher is excited to introduce its

cutting-edge vacuum brush, the CV

30/2 Bp, designed for professional

users. Ideal for diverse settings such

as hotels, retail spaces, and public

facilities, this machine facilitates

the effortless deep cleaning of both

carpets and hard floors.

The CV 30/2 Bp Adv is a professional

battery-powered vacuum cleaner

that stands out for its excellent

cleaning performance and userfriendly

design. With a compact 3

litre capacity, this upright brush-type

vacuum is versatile on both carpet

and hard surfaces, automatically

adjusting to different floor types.

It effectively cleans textile floors,

leaving them thoroughly cleansed

and straightened. The vacuum’s low

ground clearance makes it ideal for

cleaning under beds and fixtures in

buildings or hotels, with a convenient

roller brush self-cleaning function

activated by a foot switch, ensuring

fast and hygienic operation. The ON/

OFF switch, eco!efficiency mode,

and LED display for remaining

battery runtime add to the machine's

innovative features.

The new CV 30/2 Bp, offers

user-friendly operation with the

convenience of cordless use –

operators don’t have to contend with

Our experienced distribution team

ensures you and your customer’s

consignments are despatched securely

and on time.

Unrivalled stocks are ready for your

choice of delivery. Optional plain cover

delivery direct to your customer.

Our purchasing team liaises with

suppliers daily, placing orders and

negotiating the best possible prices.

The warehouse team receives

daily deliveries from suppliers and

replenishment of stock is constant.

Contact

T +44 (0)1664 567226

F +44 (0)1664 410127

info@dualpumps.co.uk

www.dualpumps.co.uk

New CV 30/2 Bp

cordless vacuum brush

cables, search for power outlets,

or switch outlets when moving

between rooms during cleaning. This

cordless vacuum brush is designed

to intelligently recognise the type

of surface it is cleaning by adjusting

its suction power accordingly for

different flooring.

The roller brush of the CV 30/2 Bp

thoroughly cleans carpet fibres and

removes ingrained dirt. A surface

nozzle, available as an accessory,

facilitates cleaning in hard-to-reach

areas and corners. Thanks to its

particularly flat design, the CV 30/2

Bp also enables cleaning underneath

low furniture such as shelves, sofas,

or beds.

Contact

T 01295 752065

www.kaercher.com/uk/professional

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 7


Cleaning & Facilities Management

Top cleaning machinery p

An insider’s perspective on what’s hot in cle

By Nina Wyers, Marketing

& Brand Director at The

Floorbrite Group

Meet Dave, better known as Dave Careless.

An unfortunate surname some might say,

given his role at The Floorbrite Group as

Service Manager. Dave is responsible for

approximately 5,000 pieces of cleaning

machinery across the UK. However, Dave

is anything but Careless, in fact, he has

worked as a machinery engineer for the past

20 years and joined The Floorbrite Group

10 years ago. Dave is very experienced,

hardworking and conscientious. He wakes

at 4.30am and takes his beloved dog for a

walk, arriving in his warehouse workshop at

6.00am to start his working day.

Dave’s responsibilities extend to the

procurement, management and sometimes

delivery of all Floorbrite vacuums, floor

scrubbing and burnishing machines,

scrubber driers and sweepers and various

other pieces of kit. Most of the machinery

inventory is owned by Floorbrite and so is

PAT tested, serviced and repaired by Dave

too. All larger rented and hired pieces of

machinery such as ride on scrubber driers

or robotic machinery have manufacturer

serviced contracts which are also managed

by Dave, so he can

have his work cut out.

That being said, Dave

is passionate about

finding the right piece of

equipment for the right

job and fit for use by the

operator on site. Dave

liaises with our business

development team,

cleaning operatives

and various manufacturers and customers

to provide demonstrations on sites for the

latest innovations to find the right solution

for our customers.

Due to his specialist role, Dave is the only

person to have visited every Floorbrite site

that we provide cleaning services to, which

is well over 1,000 across the country. His

accumulated knowledge over the years and

ear to the ground with regards to machinery,

definitely make him best placed to give an

overview of what our customers are looking

for at the moment which in short are:

s No Touch Cleaning Methods

s Sustainable Cleaning Methods

s Autonomous Robotic Cleaning Machines

So, let us take an unbiased look at what Dave

decided were a couple of great solutions

to some of our most recent customer’s

challenges.

Customer 1

Overview

This customer’s distribution

site covers over 1.4 million

ft 2 , is open 24 hours a day,

7 days a week and at peak

times has 2,500 employees

on site. The washrooms

receive an enormous

amount of traffic and are

cleaned continuously

throughout the day and

night shifts.

Problem/Goal

A more efficient and deeper

method of cleaning was

required on a more frequent

basis.

Solution

No Touch Cleaning by

Kaivac through Dennis

Rawlins. The 1250NTC is

a complete trolley system.

Including a handheld wand

with scrubber and miniature

pressure washer, inbuilt 20L

solution tank and wet vac.

This machine is perfect in

tiled washroom and shower

blocks. Tiled wall, floor,

sink, toilet and shower areas

are sprayed with Kaivac’s

recommended cleaning

solution, scrubbed and

pressure washed clean. The

wet vac element removes

all dirty residue, leaving

surfaces almost perfectly

dry.

Results and Benefits

The no touch cleaning

method is scientifically

proven to be 30-60 times

better and up to 3 times

faster than traditional

cleaning methods. Surfaces

are left sterile and dry,

negating the requirement

for wet floor signs and

preventing slips, trips & falls.

The 20L water tank also

saves on water usage

by filtering and recycling

the same water while the

system is in use.

Conclusion

Dave says this is a

great piece of kit for

tiled washrooms. Faster

and more efficient than

traditional cleaning and

a hygienic and healthier

method of cleaning,

benefiting both the cleaning

operative and end user.

8

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


icks for facility managers

aning machines for the commercial sector

Customer 2 Overview

This customer’s large and busy

distribution centre, comprising hundreds

of thousands of sqft of warehousing is

open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The

floor area is expansive with many aisles

and warehouse operatives. Traffic can

peak in certain areas at certain times

of day meaning cleaning tasks can be

difficult to complete.

Problem/Goal

The customer was looking for innovation

and an efficient method of cleaning. Due

to heavy warehouse traffic at different

times, some areas are unable to be

cleaned during a shift and not always

picked up on the following shift due to

the cleaning rotation in such an expansive

area. This caused areas to remain

uncleaned for longer periods of time until

the next rotation cycle.

Cleaning & Facilities Management

Solution

T380AMR Robotic floor scrubber-Dryer by

Tennant is powered by BrainOS advanced

vision-based AI system. This machine can

also be operated as a ride on machine

for small cleaning task or just for the

purposes of mapping out the floor area

to be cleaned autonomously ongoing.

Cleans effectively in cleaner environments

using water alone or using floorcare

solutions. However, Tennant’s ec-H2O

NanoClean technology is recommended,

which electrically converts water into an

innovative cleaning solution. The BrainOS

operator system is easy to use, intelligent

and can be managed from an app on a

mobile or tablet device. Four hours running

time versus four hours charging time.

Additional interchangeable batteries can be

purchased.

Results and Benefits

The T380AMR can intelligently map large

open areas alone without an operator

manually mapping the area with it. Once

all areas including aisles are mapped and

cleaning can commence, the T380AMR will

intelligently stop and alert a warehouse

operative in its path. If the obstruction

is immobile, the T380 will move around

the person or object to avoid them and

continue on its mapped route. At the end

of the mapped session the T380 will return

to missed areas to ensure they are also

cleaned. Downloads are available for all

system reports and the T380’s journeys.

Maps can be adapted to avoid high traffic

areas at certain times of day. Can also be

purchased with a docking station where

the machine will return to at the end of the

day to self-charge and commence its duties

again when it has finished charging. The

mobile app notifies the manager when the

T380 has commenced work and finished and

will receive alerts if the machine runs out of

water or encounters an obstacle it cannot

navigate.

Conclusion

Dave says this is the easiest Robotic

Scrubber Drier he has used, as some can be

complicated. The BrainOS system is perfect

for solving the customer’s issue with busy

areas being missed and the reporting is

very useful for auditing purposes. This kind

of solution is not for every site though. For

some of the more expensive machines to

be a cost-effective solution, the area needs

to be large enough to warrant full or almost

full-time operation. However, the use of a

machine like this can also allow contractors

to reallocate employees to high-value tasks

too.

A final note from our expert

In summary, Dave’s advice is to take everything into

consideration when investing in the right piece of

equipment. Work with the customer and manufacturer

to understand specifications, requirements, budget

and objectives while also working with the site

operatives during demonstrations to ensure they are

able to operate the machinery safely and with ease.

Dave loves his job and loves to make people happy.

His parting words are, “If you can give people a

piece of kit that looks good, does the job well and

makes them happy, then you’ve won. If everyone is

happy, I’m happy and they’re going to do a better job

because of it.”

www.floorbrite.co.uk

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 9


Aluminium Windows & Doors Manufacturing Company of the Month

Your one stop shop for

all aluminium products

In this issue of Building

& Facilities News we

are thrilled to feature

Duration Windows as

our Aluminium Windows

& Doors Manufacturing

Company of the Month

Over the past three decades, Duration

Windows has become one of the UK’s largest

leading aluminium windows, doors & roof

manufacturers. From the creation of its first

product – Secondary Glazing, a product

that is still a firm customer favourite to this

day. Duration has rightly claimed its number

one spot in the industry for its outstanding

customer service, innovative products and

impressive range.

Heritage Internal Screening

Established by Brian Chelton and Dennis

Mitchell in 1985, Duration has tripled in size

and manufactures out of 18 Factory Units, with

its Head Office and Showroom also based in

Thames Estuary on Canvey Island, Essex. This

provides an ideal location to enable National

Delivery to all customers using the company’s

in-house fleet of vehicles.

Bespoke Apex Window

Duration has the most extensive range of

products available including Bi-fold Doors,

Sliders, Secondary Glazing, Roof Systems,

Modern Windows, and their incredibly popular

Heritage Range.

Duration has evolved significantly over the

past two years in terms of staff numbers and

the increase in its factory units. Because of

these positive changes, the company can

provide a Fast Track service for its customers

who need their products within 48 hours.

Speaking to Grant

Chelton, Managing

Director at Duration, he

explained the benefits

of using Duration

Windows, “Our years of

experience mean that we

offer the best in product

innovation and technical

competence. We achieve

great quality products

through our highly skilled

team and top of the range

machinery.”

Modern Window

“We believe in our products so much that we

include a 10 year guarantee across all our

ranges. Our products are tested and regularly

reviewed to ensure they are secure and

robust to last a lifetime. By choosing Duration

Windows our customers not only receive great

customer service but also free technical and

marketing support. We also have a product

showroom where our customers are invited to

show and discuss product options with their

customers.”

“We manufacture our products in the UK and

ensure they are of the highest quality and

security by being members of various industry

and Governing Bodies. We are proud members

of the BFRC (British Fenestration Rating

Council) and have Kitemark accreditation with

BSi and BMTrada. Furthermore, we are an

approved supplier to the Ministry of Justice, so

you can rest assured that you are dealing with

a reputable company.”

customer Durafold 1000 Slimline

demand.

“The feedback we have received from

customers is to achieve a steel look design

that flows throughout their home, connecting

their external window and door design to their

internal doors,” stated Grant. In light of this,

Duration has looked further into improving its

Heritage Range and has also added a 25mm

thermally broken transom to create the most

authentic steel look design on the market.

A fantastic new product to highlight is their

Durafold 1000 Slimline, their new Bi-fold

door combines outstanding aesthetics and

performance utilising quick-glaze beads for fast

and straightforward fabrication and installation.

These are available in single or Dual colour

combinations allowing customers to have a

different internal and external colour, such

as dark grey outside and white on the inside.

There are over 200 RAL colours to choose

from!

“As a family run business we believe it is

important to support our local community.

One of the ways we do this, is by sponsoring

various youth football

teams of differing abilities

in our area, and going

forward, this is something

we wish to do more of.”

Moving forward, 2024

looks a promising year for

the company with more

changes to come. Grant

explains, “In 2024 we will

be relocating our product

showroom to a new and

larger premises to allow

us to display even more of our products and

to enhance the customer experience when

they visit us. We will also be attending various

exhibitions throughout the year where we

will be launching new

products and speaking

with customers to discuss

their future projects.”

T 01268 681612

sales@duration.co.uk

www.duration.co.uk

Secondary Glazing

Recently, Duration has introduced internal

doors to its Heritage Range due to increased

Heritage Range

10

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


MKM Building Supplies

In this edition of Building & Facilities News,

we are proud to showcase MKM Building

Supplies as Builders’ Merchant of the Month

Celebrating over 28 years of surpassing

customer expectations, MKM has grown

from a single site in Hull to an expansive

network of over 124 branches across the

UK. Identifiable by their colossal yellow and

blue branding, MKM consistently stands out

in the merchanting industry for its excellent

customer service and unique approach to

running its branches, which centres directly

around fulfilling local customer needs.

Builders’ Merchant of the Month

Spanning

England, Wales,

and Scotland,

MKM is the UK’s

fastest-growing

independent

builders’

merchant. Each

branch is run

independently

by its Branch

Directors and

their handpicked

teams,

supported by

a Central Support office in Hull. Branches

benefit from the local knowledge and

expertise, building relationships with

customers and having the autonomy and the

flexibility to meet their needs.

Branches are staffed by experienced teams,

with MKM’s frontline champions handpicked

for their skillset, knowledge, experience, and

abilities. Step inside and you’ll find branches

have knowledgeable, local specialists on

hand to help you every

step of the way.

MKM Building Supplies

offers a comprehensive

range of products for both

trade and retail customers,

including building

supplies, plumbing and

heating, timber, joinery,

kitchen and bathroom

showrooms, landscaping

displays, and more. Their

branches feature state-ofthe-art

kitchen and bathroom showrooms

unlike any you’ll have seen in a builders’

merchants, and teams provide free design

and home measure services, showcasing

their commitment to customer-focused

solutions.

Distinguished for their extensive product

range and services inventory, from

construction materials to bespoke kitchen

and bathroom designs, MKM Building

Supplies is more than

a supplier. It’s a partner

in bringing customers’

visions to life, coupled

with the convenience of

free delivery.

Their partnership with

globally recognised brands

including JCB, Dragon,

Bosch, and more means

MKM offers an extensive

array of tools and

equipment for hire from

selected

branches. This diverse

range includes everything

from power tools to

earth-moving equipment,

underlining their mission

to cater comprehensively

to all building and DIY

needs.

Founded in 1995 by David

Kilburn and Peter Murray

in Hull, MKM Building

Supplies has always

prioritised nurturing strong community and

customer relationships. This philosophy has

been integral to their growth and success,

enabling them to expand significantly since

their inception.

As a company that thrives on exceptional

customer service and deep local knowledge,

MKM Building Supplies stands out. Their

ability to adapt to local market needs

is unmatched, making them a nimble

and responsive partner in any building

endeavour. Nicola Ollett, MKM Marketing

Director added, “Our local expertise is

the cornerstone of our service, we have

specialists and experts on

hand ready to answer

questions and adapt to

our customers’ needs.

We’re friendly, we’re

knowledgeable, and

we’ve got all the building

supplies you’ll ever need

to get the job done.”

Despite challenges like

the COVID-19 pandemic,

MKM Building Supplies

has shown remarkable

resilience and adaptability.

Their digital innovations, safety measures,

and product diversification have ensured

uninterrupted service to their customers.

This approach is evidenced by continued

growth, with the opening of 14 new branches

since January 2023 – the most recent of

which have been in Boston, London Colney

and Thame. The

business has plans

to open 10 more

branches in the

coming year.

For more

information

about MKM

Building Supplies’

exceptional service

and extensive

product range,

please contact them

at 01482 345678,

email at hello@

mkmbs.co.uk or

visit their website

at https://mkm.com

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 11


Building & Construction Products & Services

Bradite on the up and up

A popular climbing centre

in Sheffield discovered that

Bradite HD Floor+Wall paint

came out on top when an

extensive indoor climbing

wall needed refurbishment.

The Foundry Mountaineering

Club – a community interest

company established in

1991 in a disused steel

works – was looking to

spruce up and partially

remodel a 500 square metre

vertical surface.

“We had previously used

floor paints because they are

tough wearing and we need

something that doesn’t get

marked with the rubbersoled

climbing shoes,”

explained the Club’s service

manager, Jacob Crabtree. “It

was the guy who built the

wall that put us onto Bradite,” he says.

They were delighted to be using an

odourless water-based product in place of

the oil-based paints previously used. Having

decided to go for a more neutral grey – RAL

7047 – to replace the garish bright yellow

Sustainable solutions: It’s

time to make the switch

As the world continues to grapple

with the effects of climate change,

it’s essential that we take firm steps

to reduce our carbon footprint. One

of the most impactful changes that

can be made in both the building

and landscaping industries is to

switch to eco-friendly, low-carbon,

maintenance-free solutions.

Eco-friendly products that last a

lifetime

Recycled plastic materials offer

a number of advantages over

traditional wood and metal

solutions. Recycled plastic is far

more durable than wood, and will

never rot or corrode over time.

It’s also easier and faster to install,

often coming pre-cut to size and

ready to assemble. In terms of ecofriendliness,

recycled plastic is an

excellent choice for both building

and landscaping. It’s completely

currently on the wall, Jacob and one of his

colleagues took on the repainting task. His

verdict on the finish – “Fantastic!”

“We used three coats. After the first coat

went on, we then used an air compressor

to spray on aluminium oxide grit to provide

some friction on the climbing surface, then

recyclable, meaning that it can be

recycled and reused many times.

Kedel: A commitment to

sustainable living

Leading the charge for more

sustainable recycled plastic

products is Kedel, a family-run

business based in Burnley. With

a mission to display the very

best in recycled plastic materials,

Kedel puts eco-friendly living at

the heart of its business, recently

working with the National Trust

and with Lancashire Fire and

Rescue on a memorial garden with

recycled plastic benches. From

recycled plastic decking boards,

fencing and cladding to outdoor

furniture and building materials,

their low-maintenance, affordable

alternatives are designed to

promote greener living.

T 01282 861325

info@kedel.co.uk

www.kedel.co.uk

repeated the process with

a second coat and the grit.

We finished with a third coat

and, instead of the grit, we

applied a lacquer on top.”

Then came the task

of replacing the many

hundreds of small hand

grips and carabiner fixing

points that are spread over

the entire face of the wall.

The coloured hand grips

are arranged to mark out

specific climbing routes

of differing severity. The

entire refurb job took some

three and a half weeks to

complete.

HD Floor+Wall is a heavy

duty two-pack, water-based

epoxy coating and finish

paint, suitable for painting

concrete, steel, ceramic and

terracotta tiles. It offers an easy-to-clean

finish, making it ideal for hygiene sensitive

areas; hospitals, food preparation areas,

breweries, bakeries, and now, climbing

centres!

www.bradite.com

Introducing new Langley

PU liquid waterproofing

Langley has been

supplying highquality

systems

for more than 50

years. As part of

our commitment

to high quality

sustainable and

long-lasting

systems, the

Langley PU liquid

waterproofing

system has been

developed to the

same exceptional

standards which

can be expected

from us.

Offering guarantee lengths of 20

and 25 years, we are excited that

our new liquid technology allows

the application of a 25 year system

in just two coats. This significantly

decreases install time compared to

many other liquids in the market

where a 3-coat system is required.

Langley PU is a solvent free,

polyurethane coating system

comprised of primers and

liquid-applied membranes and

is compatible with the huge

range of accessories, rooflights

and sustainable

solutions on offer.

Perfect for

sensitive or

occupied sites,

the low-odour

liquid can be

used on occupied

buildings such

as schools

or hospitals.

It provides

monolithic,

flexible, durable

and long-lasting

protection.

As with all liquid systems, the

practicality and flexibility of

installation by brush or roller

solves problems associated

with long-term waterproofing,

where there is significant plant or

complex detailing. As with all our

systems, you can be assured that

the accreditation and testing are

to the highest standards, with the

Langley PU system having been

approved by the British Board

of Agrément, with a durability

statement of 25 years.

enquiries@langley.co.uk

www.langley.co.uk

12

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17



Best prices guaranteed!

Specialist in business to business supply of

quality Asian ceramic and porcelain tiles

Family business

Huge range

Friendly staff

Interior & exterior

Porcelain tiles

Ceramic tiles

Call us today!

01782 226166

www.tilecentral.net

Showroom & Warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent

Tile Central UK

Trentham Trade Park, Unit F1

Stanley Matthews Way

Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8GA



Facilities & Estate Management

Making monitoring

& control mobile

GSM Activate is a UK-based

manufacturer and retailer of

high quality electronics and

access control devices, which

specialises in GSM (simcards)

based technology. Based in

West Sussex, UK, GSM Activate

provides reliable and durable

GSM enabled electronic

products.

GSM Activate

provides

equipment

which can

be used for

security,

monitoring

& control

solutions

for use in

customers’

homes or for

their business

needs. The company’s range

of products has been designed

to incorporate the use of a

simcard which enables the user

to use their mobile phone as

the key component in security,

access control and automation

applications. For example, GSM

diallers for phone alerts from

alarm panels, or sensors; GSM

switches to turn on appliances

remotely, etc.

Renowned for its reliability

opposed to WiFi, Bluetooth

and others, GSM is extremely

dependable

for signal and

there is no

limit to range,

enabling you

to control and

monitor your

electronics

from your

mobile,

wherever

you are in

the world.

GSM Activate

is able to

manufacture using the latest

hardware enabling connections

to 2G, 3G and 4G frequencies.

Contact

T 01273 462380

www.gsm-activate.co.uk

Gates for added

protection

For homeowners or businesses

looking to improve security, installing

a gate is a step in the right direction.

Gates are an important deterrent

in residential and business areas

against opportunistic burglary or

even vandalism, making homes

and properties less of a target for

criminals.

Castle Gates & Automation is a leading

bespoke gate installation company,

from wooden, metal to metal frames gates clad in wood or composite, with

many other options available. The company is based in Great Gaddesden,

Hertfordshire and can offer modern upgrading of existing gates, through to

installations of bespoke, new designs. With an extensive portfolio, customers

can choose from manual and automated gate options, with a further choice of

above-ground, or concealed underground automated gate motors. For level

driveways, homeowners can opt for sliding gates, if preferred.

For additional ease and convenience, each gate automation has a remotecontrol

fob access, with keyboard entry systems or audio/video systems

optionally available for added security measures. Intercoms have become

standardised now with many homes and businesses around the country and

Castle Gates & Automation can supply GSM Audio Intercoms, GSM Video

Intercoms, Wired Audio Intercoms and Wired Video Intercoms.

Installing state-of-the-art CCTV gives optimised security, day and night and

when you’re not at home or on holiday. Castle Gates & Automation provides

an extensive range of cameras including: short and long range, through to

wide-angles, so your whole property is always expertly covered.

Enquire today to find your perfect gate:

T 01442 253341

enquiries@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk

Case Study: East Lindsey District Council

East Lindsey District Council is a local

government authority in Lincolnshire,

covering the towns of Alford, Wragby,

Spilsby, Mablethorpe, Skegness, Horncastle,

Chapel St Leonards and Louth.

Requirement

After two decades at Tedder Hall, a listed

historic site, the council decided to move

to ‘The Hub’, a modern, eco-friendly space

shared with Boston College in Horncastle.

This new facility includes offices and a Council

Chamber for official meetings.

New office furniture was required, as the

existing pieces had been in use for two

decades and would need disposing of in an

environmentally friendly way.

The council attempted to repurpose some

furniture with local government and Parish

councils but due to its age and condition,

recycling proved the better choice.

Solutions

Pickfords was appointed to relocate the

Council to the Hub, situated 12 miles away.

A phased plan was created, to span three

months, from November to January, which

included:

s Moving the paper files stored at Tedder

Hall to the Hub, which involved dismantling

the roller racking units and managing the

records

s Relocating the paper files securely, whilst

ensuring easy retrieval

s Clear the existing office furniture at Tedder

Hall and arrange the recycle or reuse of it

Despite the enormity of the administrative

resources, records, and furniture, the project

required seamless execution within a tight

timeframe, without disrupting Council services.

Meticulous planning was crucial to ensure

smooth logistics and resource co-ordination.

Each phase’s order was critical; for instance,

files had to be removed from the racking

before dismantling. This maintained

accessibility to live files throughout the project.

Clearance of the furniture only began once the

building was empty, starting in mid-January

and concluding by month-end.

Due to the historical significance of the

building, certain collectible vintage equipment,

ornaments, and specialised furniture held

potential value.

Therefore, Pickfords collaborated with its

business auction partner, Ramco, to collect

these items for subsequent online auction

sales.

Summary

The relocation of racking, filing and boxed desk

contents commenced in mid-November, with

all staff relocated by Christmas. During the

entirety of the relocation, the live records were

fully accessible to all Council staff.

The Council’s unwanted furniture was recycled

and re-used to offset the cost of the project;

and the environmental disposal service

Pickfords provided meant that the Council was

compliant with its own environmental policy.

The Council was relocated to its new site

within the timeframe and budget allocated.

www.pickfords.com

16

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


The UK Met Office has been naming storms since

2014 as a way of raising public awareness of the

storms likely to cause significant damage. It is

a pre-emptive strike, warning businesses and

residents using a matrix of yellow amber or red

level warnings.

Storm Henk was the eighth such-named storm

in the space of three months to leave havoc,

destruction and flooding in its wake. With over

600 flood warnings in place across England and

Wales and winds up to 94mph, many residents

were evacuated from homes and caravan sites by

the emergency services. In Greenwich, scaffolding

fell off a building in the high winds, railways were

disrupted by floods

and fallen trees and

many major roads and

bridges were closed

due to flooding.

Flood-Resilient Building Company of the Month

Flood-resilient buildings in

the wake of Storm Henk

In this issue of

Building & Facilities

News, we are

delighted to select

Bartels & Vedder as

our Flood-Resilient

Building Company

of the Month

flooding. Storms like Henk cause both tidal surges

from the sea upriver and lead to rivers bursting

banks, alongside localised flash flooding. Many

areas such as Essex, Kent, through to Lincolnshire

and Somerset are at risk to this type of flooding.

Floodplains are defined as a flat area of land

adjacent to a river or stream that stretch from the

river banks to the outer perimeter of the valley.

When rainfall surpasses the capacity of drains

and other surface water sewers, this results in

often catastrophic surface water flooding. Notable

counties that are often

impacted by surface

water flooding include

Merseyside, Yorkshire

or Cumbria.

to regional areas impacted by floodplain

development, using dry flood proofing or wet

flood proofing. These modifications can include

re-routing the electrical wiring from the ceiling,

using external cement mortar and floor tiling, in

place of wooden flooring.

“In Venice, ground floors are never occupied due

to flooding risks as higher ground offers more

refuge. We specialise in amphibious housing –

literally housing built on water or flood resistant

houses or offices. In subtropical Florida, it is

common to see wooden stilted houses, to mitigate

against storm damage, including hurricanes and

flooding. The stilts can be made from wood, steel

or concrete and there’s no reason why the UK

can’t consider houses built in this way,” quantified

Jelle.

The UK generally has

a maritime, moist and

temperate climate, with

a moderate annual

temperature range and

is heavily impacted by

the Atlantic Ocean and

the Gulf Stream/North

Atlantic Drift. The Met

Office recorded 2023

as the second-hottest year on record, with climate

change bringing hotter temperatures, alongside

more storms and rainfall. (this translates to hotter,

drier summers and warmer, wetter winters)

One of the biggest concerns facing the

Environment Agency, Defra, hydrologists, climate

scientists and civil engineers is the risk of future

flooding across the country. With rising sea

levels, coastal areas such as Cornwall are already

seeing the erosion of sea defences leading to tidal

“Floodplains are

diverse around the

world, such as the

Todd River floodway

in Northern Australia:

an ephemeral stream

which is often dry for

months. The Barotse

wetland floodplain

along the Zambezi

River stretches for thousands of kilometres across

Africa, reflecting either the dry Kalahari Desert or

the waterlogged basin depending on the time of

year.

“In the Netherlands, we have an extensive flood

management system consisting of dams and

dikes, to protect the land from the sea. We have

a Dutch expression: ruimte voor de rivier (space

for the river), where we have low-lying meadows

next to rivers to absorb excess water,” explained

Jelle Vedder co-founder of

Bartels & Vedder.

The golden rule in civil

engineering is not to build

on floodplains and if this

rule is broken, expect

to see flood damage.

Some UK councils have

already taken the sensible

approach to ban further

building developments

on floodplains but this

doesn’t help those houses

that have already been

hastily built, “We can

offer expert consultancy

Bartels & Vedder is a Dutch engineering

consultancy company, with an impressive

portfolio of offices and houses built on land or

water. To the untrained eye, many of these seem

to defy the law of physics. Yet, co-founders Chiel

Bartels and Jelle Vedder have built the dream

team of draughtsmen and engineers who not only

have a ‘can do’ attitude but thrive on seemingly

impossible engineering feats, such as the largest

floating office in the world: The Floating Office

Rotterdam (FOR.)

“Our unique selling point is floating structures;

this is indeed our signature style but we also work

with many land-based projects. We are open to all

manner of challenges across the world, with many

recent enquiries from Saudi Arabia, through to

Asia and Europe.

“We prefer to term our style as ‘climate resilience’

design engineering and specialise in flood-proof

buildings, such as at stilt building. With highwater

levels becoming an increasingly concern in

many countries, across flood plains such as the

UK, we provide expert knowledge and practical

application.

“We can provide consultancy for flood-proof

modifications for regional areas vulnerable to

flooding, through to design ‘flood proof’ housing,

practical stilt housing, amphibious housing and

floating housing.”

For more information on flood-proof buildings,

see the website below:

T +31 6 422 398 53

info@bartelsvedder.nl

www.bartelsvedder.nl

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 17


External Works

Expert tree surveyors

With the average life span of trees

between 300-400 years, and with an

estimated three billion trees across

the UK, most people live and work

in close vicinity to many different

species of trees.

With the ebbs and flows of regional

town planning, through to greenbelt

housing

development

restrictions,

Barnes Associates

Ltd is a leading

tree consultancy,

providing expert

BS5837 tree surveys

for developers and

architects, along

with arboricultural

impact

assessments, and

tree protection

plans. We lead

the UK in tree

decay and stability

assessments, all

using the latest

technology

including Droning services of

interest to many is our Tree Root

Mapping service, Tree Radar uses

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

enables the depth and size of roots

to be determined.

Husband-and-wife team managers,

Ian and Sue Barnes, and their team

support housing developments,

commercial schemes, highway

agencies, through to County

Councils on green infrastructure,

habitat corridors and detailed

Landscape Assessment & Design

services, private clients are also

catered for.

Established in

1989, the company

became a limited

company in 2016

and is renowned for

its expert, specialist

knowledge, with

meticulous attention

to detail from all the

team. From health

and safety reports,

tree population

surveys, to

subsidence cases:

Barnes Associates

are synonymous

with the highest in

profession.

They are problem solvers, do you

need to develop near trees it is often

possible.

Contact

T 01423 322371

info@barnesassociates.co.uk

www.barnesassociates.co.uk

Premium Shou Sugi

Ban ® Timber Cladding

Sustainable, low maintenance

and stunning; it’s no wonder that

architects specify Shou Sugi Ban ®

timber cladding for contemporary

builds and heritage renovations.

Traditional Japanese timber homes

were preserved using a charring

technique called Yasisugi. The

process blackens the wood &

increases its resilience to weather,

insects, flames and mould. When

we first discovered this, our team

were keen to master the process

and develop a premium timber

cladding range.

Shou Sugi Ban ® is manufactured

by hand in our Buckinghamshire

workshop.

Not all charred timber is black. Our

skilled team brush, char and finish

FSC ® certified timbers to create

a highly desirable selection of

cladding including:

s Lightened timbers including

Kebony Legima

s Tinted timbers including Tobu

Accoya

s Enhanced grain wood including

Larch Shiberiatora

See the full range on our website:

https://exterior.supplies/charredtimber-cladding

Suitable for interior use, Shou

Sugi Ban ® offers a classic, timeless

aesthetic. It complements other

construction materials and

helps a building to blend into its

surroundings. It’s little wonder that

this premium timber cladding is

specified for RIBA award-winning

properties & historically sensitive

renovations!

Please get in touch with Exterior

Solutions Ltd for further

information, quotes and samples.

T 01494 711800

https://exterior.supplies

Site Management

Ensure efficient site management

and find your perfect platform

with Independent Access Sales

An access platform is a structure that allows

workers to access high or hard-to-reach places

and is particularly useful for the building and

construction industries. IAS has over 35 years

of experience in the access industry and is

more than capable of helping you to find the

right access platform for your needs, and at the

most competitive prices.

It is not just one thing that enables a site

to become efficiently and successfully

managed, it’s an accumulation of effective

site management practices all rolled into one.

Staying ahead with the latest machinery and

technology is one of those and can be made

simple by working alongside Independent

Access Sales (IAS). Helping you to develop

a culture of collaboration using the latest

management tools, your staff can be up-todate

using the latest access platforms in no

time.

IAS stocks a large variety of machines with

some of its most popular being the Easy Lift

Spiderlift range from the R130 right through to

the RA53, R420, R180 and many more. If you’re

looking for a truck mounted platform, IAS

stocks articulated, telescopic, and 4x4 ranges,

as well as the Push Around Bravi HD that has

a max. working height of 4.9m and a max load

capacity of 180kg.

Further to its services, IAS offers a complete

service management facility throughout the

UK. With access to a large network of access

platform components, IAS can undertake any

additional repairs and also offers a six- month

inspection at your premises.

IAS has the professional staff to help and

guide you through the servicing process. From

scheduling the necessary works and providing

the necessary certification to ensure your

platform is in good standing, its team will also

advise you on when your issues are due and

guide you on how to arrange them.

Of course, buying brand-new isn’t always doable.

IAS has a well-respected portfolio of used

machines for sale and can also work on your

behalf to source any machinery you require.

Each machine has a working height that

ranges from 5m to 20m and is kept in pristine

condition ready for immediate use.

For more information on how to improvement

your on-site management, get in touch

below:

M 07483 246878

enquiries@iasales.co.uk

https://iasales.co.uk/

18

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


Section

32 eco clipper

ad

rpt bup 667 p6

‘Dedicated to offer the best mowing

system for maintaining large

area turfgrass’

Has clean cutting results in all weather conditions, improved

efficiency (at least 20% more fuel efficient), easy maintenance

& repairs and low cost of ownership

Please visit www.ecoclipper.com

Call +31 (0)646753560

Email info@ecoclipper.com


Water Management

Fit and Forget

Water conservation is the

key to reducing energy

bills. Heating water

accounts for nearly 1/5th of

energy use in UK homes.

Reducing hot water

demand is an effective way

to help occupants conserve

energy and reduce bills.

Some uses are fixed, eg.

the washing machine or

dishwasher. For these uses,

education about full loads

and eco settings can have

an impact. However, many

are not.

The NRv2 LoFlo ®

Showers account for a

quarter of UK domestic

water usage. To reduce this

hot water usage, there are

three options:

s Cold showers, not

ideal on a cold winter

morning

s Timers, using egg timers

or the ‘favourite song’

method to cut shower

time

s Flow reduction, less

water is used while the

shower is running.

The first two options

require active engagement

by all members of the

household. The last is a

fit and forget method of

permanently reducing

water use.

‘Eco’ or water saving shower heads are

designed to restrict the water flow to a single

outlet. They are highly effective but retrofits

like these come at a price, especially larger

properties with multiple bathrooms. They

also do nothing for running taps, whether

they’re in the bathroom or kitchen.

regardless of network pressure. As the flow

of water into the premises is limited, then the

amount used in ‘time controlled’ activities

is also limited – but without providing a

degradation of service. More importantly not

requiring any intervention or behavioural

change on the part of the customer, so

A second 1/5th of water usage is the taps

in the house, eg. rinsing the coffee cup, or

washing hands. Again, flow restrictors can be

fitted to each of these outlets.

For households on an increasingly tight

budget, or developers trying to minimise

costs, multiple fittings for each tap or shower

might not be an investment they are able to

make.

The inline LoFlo ® alternative to the NRv2

Household flow restriction for just £20 per

property

The alternative is whole site flow reduction.

Fitting a device such as Groundbreaker’s

NRv2 LoFlo, at the meter regulates the

level of flow entering customer premises – Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo ®

20

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


Water Management

A guaranteed method

for reducing energy bills

leading to ‘natural’ reduction in consumption.

Our water companies are regulated to

provide a minimum level of water supply,

but in many areas, due to network structure

and gravity fed systems, supply is much

greater. Households in high pressure areas

could be receiving up to three times the

required minimum levels. So, run a hose for

five minutes at the bottom of the hill, and

your lawn will be greener than the gardener

that does the same at the top. These ‘time

controlled’ uses, eg. teeth cleaning, taking a

shower, running a tap to rinse dishes could

be standardised down if all households

received the same acceptable, ‘standardised’

supply.

Independent research carried out by WRc,

showed a theoretical reduction of 2-4% of

typical water usage when devices such as

LoFlo are installed. However, recent field

trials by a major UK water company have

showing savings of 5%.

The abstraction of water from rivers and

aquifers and the carbon cost of cleaning and

processing water is a significant contribution

to our impact on the environment. There,

as part of UK Net Zero Carbon targets water

companies have been targeted to reduce

the water householders are using, Per Capita

Consumption (PCC).

PCC reduction targets average just under

6% in the UK, so utilising property flow

restriction could achieve just 1% off the

average PPC reduction targets!

However, water companies are also tied to

customer performance commitment levels

(C-Mex), and some seem to be concerned

that a reduction in the supply levels to

properties will prompt customer

complaints, offsetting the financial

rewards of achieving PCC targets.

Field trials of devices such as LoFlo

have shown that most customers

are not aware of supply levels in

their property, within certain limits.

Especially when moving into a

new property, customers accept

the levels as ‘being what it is’ and

fears of an increase in customer

complaints impacting C-Mex

values are overrated. In recent

trials in England, where occupants

did notice the change in supply, it

was the positive impact of reduced

flow that was cited, eg. reduced

splashing at the kitchen sink.

Not a single occupant wanted the

The NRv2 LoFlo ® in the Groundbreaker box

LoFLo to be removed after the trial period.

The NRv2 LoFlo can be easily and simply

retrofitted to any meter installation, or meter

exchange when upgrading or remediating

underground meter chambers.

Thus allowing Water Companies to

manage demand, with little or no impact

on consumers, at the minimal cost of

approximately £20 per household.

A new option for unmetered properties

Following the success of trials, a new product

LoFlo Inline has recently been launched.

Properties without a water meter can now

benefit from the water and energy savings

without having to wait for water meter

installation. Fitted internally, after the stop

tap on the main water supply pipe, the LoFlo

Inline provides the same benefits as the NRv2

LoFLo.

So, whether housing stock has a meter or

not, tenants can befit from reduced water

and energy bills without having to actively

consider their water usage.

For further information, please visit:

www.groundbreaker.co.uk

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 21


UK Construction Week Review – Top Exhibitors

UK Construction Week 2023

The UK’s biggest event for the built

environment, UK Construction Week

Birmingham, returned for its ninth year as the

doors opened at the NEC for three days of

knowledge sharing, innovation, technology and

discussion from 3-5 October 2023.

Officially opened by architect and Channel 4

presenter, George Clarke, and championed by

partners and sponsors such as HP, Northgate,

Conquip, Oracle, Find It In Birmingham, CIOB,

BMF and NFB, UK Construction Week (UKCW)

Birmingham brought with it a ‘call to action’ for

the sector to set its own agenda rather than wait

for the government to respond.

With exhibitors from as far afield as China,

India, Turkey and Latvia, UKCW Birmingham ran

alongside two co-located shows, Grand Designs

Modern foundations

Warm substructures are

essential for achieving 21st

Century energy efficiency

standards. GreenRaft offers

a state-of-the-art solution

for modern, efficient, warm

foundations to create a

complete thermal

envelope, fully

wrapping

your

building

from the

bottom

up.

Made

exclusively

from high-quality,

water-resistant XPS,

the GreenRaft formwork

system is highly durable and

ensures through-life thermal

performance even in poor

ground. Unlike conventional

insulating formwork, GreenRaft

uses a simple menu of

components which assemble

to meet any detail requirement

and achieve precise heat

loss targets; from flat rafts to

insulated pile-raft foundations

and multi-tiered slabs. Its innate

adaptability assists designers

and delivers cost certainty for

Live and Timber Expo, which celebrated its 10th

anniversary in 2023.

Key features included:

s UKCW Main Stage – used to take on

construction industry topics, with a mixture

of keynotes, panel debates and case studies

from industry leaders.

s Seminar Programme – details of the

comprehensive seminar programme

covering latest building regulations, the

Building Safety Act and its implications, and

advice on retrofit.

s Robotics Theatre

– sponsored by HP,

showcased all types

of construction

robotic innovation

s Future Lab –

featuring groundbreaking

and

innovative products

including the

Exoskeleton from

exhibitor German

Bionic; a wearable device that can make

users feel less tired and reduce the risk of

strain injuries.

s Infrastructure Hub – sponsored by Conquip

Engineering Group, highlighted digitalisation

and improving quality and sustainability,

this hub delivered a three day programme

for those working on infrastructure projects

of case studies, debates, networking

opportunities, and keynote speeches on

crucial issues.

s Digital Construction Hub – sponsored

groundworks programmes.

Its buildability and speed of

installation is rapidly winning

groundworker fans.

With bearing capacities from

300-700KPa GreenRaft is equally

applicable for small domestic

and large multi-storey

commercial

projects. The

GreenRaft

Design

Team

prides

itself on

collaborating with

innovative partners

and incorporating

cutting-edge technologies

to minimise embodied

carbon, boasting the world’s first

post tensioned insulated raft,

and pioneering the use of basalt

fibre reinforcement technology

in domestic foundations. It’s

the go-to solution for reduced

embodied carbon and passive

standards.

For more information, call

GreenRaft on 01392 925089 or

check out: www.greenraft.co.uk

to use the GreenRaft U-value

calculator.

by Oracle, the centre piece of innovation

at UKCW. This hub delivered a series

of presentations and panel discussions

including topics such as Information

Management using BIM.

Nathan Garnett, show director, explained

“UKCW, as the UK’s largest event bringing all

parts of the industry together, is the place to

learn from those shaping this rapidly changing

industry. We tackle key issues head on –

including mental health, fire safety and the skills

gap.

“We had a hugely

successful UKCW

London in May,

but in such a fastpaced

industry, the

Birmingham show

gave visitors invaluable

insight into the latest

trends, legislation,

innovation and tech,

with many new

exhibitors and demonstrations.”

UK Construction Week returns next year to

Birmingham’s NEC from 1-3 October 2024.

Before then, UK Construction Week London

is on at the ExCeL from 7-9 May 2024. This is

our pick of the best exhibitors from this year’s

Birmingham show, listed here in alphabetical

order: Clothes2order.com & GreenRaft. Further

details can be found on this page and the next.

www.ukconstructionweek.com/birmingham

Complete Insulated Raft

Foundation Solutions

A state-of-the-art solution for

modern, efficient, warm foundations

01392 925089

www.greenraft.co.uk

22

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


AI will continue to dominate headlines in 2024

Peter Moore (pictured), CEO

and founder of software

specialist, Lolly, says the

world has woken up to a new

phenomenon, and looks at

what’s in store for the year

ahead…

Whether overtly or covertly,

the use of AI will be enormous

in the year ahead across every

sector.

When it comes to hospitality,

those more forward-thinking

providers will continue

to embrace AI and ML

(machine learning), in order

to create greater levels of

personalisation and to improve

the customer experience.

Whether that’s facially-recognising a customer

as they walk through the door, or enabling them

to pay by face for a slicker, more professional

experience.

I also believe that where the sector continues

to struggle to find good staff, AI will help to

bridge the gap. Whether making existing staff

more efficient, through age verification tools

and integrated data insights, AI tools will help to

manage business better – reducing wastage and

increasing efficiencies. We’ll also see hospitality

providers placing greater focus around data, using

applications such as ChatGPT to generate answers

and greater levels of data processed through ML.

Rise in robotics – edging closer to

the ‘restaurant of the future’

As service-based robots become

more functional and cost effective,

it won’t be unusual to see them

in restaurant environments

before the end of 2024. They will

continue to be trolley-based for

the foreseeable future, taking

plates back to an automated

dishwasher, for example. Their

form and function will carry on

improving.

They are also likely to help

hospitality providers meet the

skills gap and labour shortages

which may worsen in 2024 if the

new immigration rules come into

place.

I believe walking and fully-interacting robots are

still two to three years away, and – at that stage –

we’ll see restaurants of the future being built, with

robots running the front of house.

The Metaverse – how far is this from being

reality?

In hospitality, we are seeing more Augmented

Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) propositions. In

2024, Holographic (hypo look) menus will become

more commonplace, with a view to enticing more

customers.

AR will see its beginnings in shopping malls, with

the Alpha generation embracing this, for example

by ordering a burger on their headset, billing it to

their account and having it delivered to their home

address. It’s different and it’s the future, which we

must embrace.

Managing the ongoing cyber security threat

Cyber crime continues to remain a huge concern

for the hospitality sector. We’ll see a big response

to this in 2024, with hospitality tech providers using

more AI tech to defend against fraud. The onus

will be on them to deliver huge advancements to

defend the industry with AI security – delivering

major investment to support this.

ChatGPT will come into its own for policies and

processes creation – using data in a positive way. It

will be part of our lives, and we’ll never go back.

A continued focus on sustainability

Sustainability will remain firmly on the agenda,

and we’ll see a continued focus around energy and

carbon consumption both from the technology

providers, but also in the products being

consumed.

The past year has been a difficult storm for

many to weather. However, the slowdown in the

economy vastly supports the need for greater

technology adoption.

I foresee the focus around reducing inflation as

a massive green flag for technology, creating the

ability to drive more functionality in hospitality

environments.

www.itslolly.com

Clothes2order.com

elevates safety

with a twist

Clothes2order.com, a leading

name in workwear, is thrilled to

announce an extensive expansion

in its hi-visibility range, with a focus

on enhancing diversity and style

within the women’s collection.

Hospitality

UK Construction Week Review – Top Exhibitors

Recognising the evolving needs

of the modern workforce,

Clothes2order is committed

to providing solutions that

seamlessly merge safety with

style. The expanded hi-vis range

not only prioritises visibility and

protection for outdoor use and

low lighting conditions, but also

introduces high performance

garments tailored for women,

offering a practical, yet stylish

selection perfect for the modern

female workforce.

“At Clothes2order.com, we believe

that everyone deserves to feel

empowered and confident while

prioritising safety in the workplace.

Our expanded hi-vis range, which

our suppliers have especially

designed for women, reflects

our commitment to diversity and

inclusivity in custom branded

workwear solutions,” said Simon

Turner, Marketing Director at

Clothes2order.com.

With 79 new styles, this release

signifies Clothes2order's

commitment to providing

high-quality, customisable

workwear that caters to individual

preferences, reinforcing

Clothes2order as the go-to

destination for the perfect blend of

style and safety in the workplace.

Explore the full hi-vis collection

at: www.clothes2order.com/hivisibility-workwear

and embrace

safety and style for your team.

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 23


Storage & Logistics

Benefits of Goupil electric utility vehicles

Bradshaw is the official UK distributor for

Goupil, all-electric, zero-emission light

commercial road and utility vehicles. Goupil

was founded in 1996 and quickly established

itself as a leading manufacturer of electric

utility vehicles and a pioneer in sustainable

transportation solutions.

The Goupil G2 and G4 models perfectly balance

sustainable, environmental, and economic

functionality in an electric light commercial

vehicle. With their innovative design, they are

specifically tailored to meet the diverse needs of

industrial and commercial operations.

Goupil electric vehicles offer a multitude of

benefits that make them a compelling choice.

Not only do they contribute to a cleaner and

greener environment by producing zero

emissions, but they also provide efficient and

cost-effective transportation solutions. With

their compact size and manoeuvrability, Goupil

vehicles are perfect for navigating urban areas

and tight spaces with ease. Additionally, their

low maintenance requirements and long battery

life ensure reliable and hassle-free operation.

These qualities, combined with their versatility

and customisable features, make Goupil electric

vehicles an ideal option for various industries,

Doors, Windows & Joinery

including logistics, delivery services, and

municipal operations.

Environmentally friendly

Using electricity rather than fossil fuels, Electric

vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions,

helping combat climate change and improving

air quality.

Regenerative braking contributes significantly

to environmental conservation by enhancing

the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. Unlike

traditional braking systems, which dissipate

kinetic energy as heat, regenerative braking

systems capture and reuse this energy. The

regenerative braking systems on a Goupil

Electric vehicle reduce wear and tear on the

tyres and reduce tyre and brake dust pollution.

Silent operation

Electric vehicles offer a significant advantage in

reducing noise pollution, providing a tranquil

and enjoyable environment. These near-silent

vehicles enable operations during evening

and early morning hours without causing

disturbances to the local community.

Economic benefits

Electric vehicles are incredibly efficient,

enabling lower operating costs over time

than traditional internal combustion vehicles.

Operating electric vehicles can save money on

both fuel and maintenance expenses. This is

especially beneficial for businesses that operate

a fleet of vehicles, as they can see significant

savings over time.

Stop/start operations

The Electric Goupil is better suited to stop-start

operations compared to diesel vehicles. Diesel

particulate filters (DPFs), designed to capture

and store exhaust soot to reduce emissions, can

pose problems. If not regularly and sufficiently

heated, these filters can become clogged,

leading to expensive maintenance and repair

costs.

No special charging infrastructure required

Charging a Goupil G4 is a straightforward

process; equipped with a single-phase onboard

charger, the Goupil’s plug into any 230V/13A

domestic socket, negating the need for any

additional electric charger installation.

Compact size

The Goupil G4’s compact size and

manoeuvrability make them ideally suited for

urban environments, where space is premium

and navigating crowded streets can be

challenging.

www.bradshawev.com

Hörmann industrial sectional doors

achieve Secured by Design accreditation

Hörmann UK, market leaders in the supply

of loading bay equipment and industrial

doors for the warehousing and logistics

markets, has announced that its SPU 42 and

SPU 67 Thermo industrial sectional doors

have been awarded Secured by Design

certification. The doors have undergone

enhanced testing and conform to STS202

which is the standard for burglary resistance

of construction products.

Established in 1989, Secured by Design

(SBD) is a flagship security accreditation

that has instant recognition. Created by the

UK Police Force to support the designing

out of crime, the

accreditation

means that the

Hörmann doors have

undergone stringent

security and safety

tests which ensure

they offer the highest

levels of protection

against forced entry

and crime.

Hörmann sectional

doors are accredited in their standard

format with no modifications or

additions required. The accreditation

applies to both manually operated

and automated versions of the door

and covers the use of all current

Hörmann industrial operators. A

range of panel sizes are available,

with a maximum door size of

6,000mm x 7,500mm being

achievable. Doors can be supplied in

either stucco and micrograin finishes

and glazing panels are covered by

the accreditation to a maximum

height of 625mm and consist of a

polycarbonate

and welded

wire mesh infill.

Commenting on the

accreditation, Phil

Thorpe, Industrial

Division Manager

at Hörmann UK,

said, “At Hörmann

we always want to

make sure that we

are providing the

market with products that meet current need

and demand. More and more we are seeing

developers and clients ask for doors with

SBD status, both from a security perspective

and often as a planning requirement. Our

series 60 door now provides the most up to

date accreditation, together with the ability

to provide a high level of security and peace

of mind.”

For further information on Hörmann UK, call

01530 516868 or visit: www.hormann.co.uk

24

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


Pumps & Valves

Powering the HVAC

industry: The small tool

with the big attraction

It is imperative that engineers can

operate valves in a plant or system

manually if there is a fault, where

power is not available or which hasn’t

yet been wired-up or have been

recently decommissioned and the

power subsequently removed.

How is that possible?

The Solenoid Valve Operating

Magnet from Fridgenius is the

solution.

Its compact design and high usability

application has already been widely

praised by engineers across the

HVAC industry. It is designed like a

cotton reel and when placed on a

solenoid valve (with coil removed),

it causes the armature to open and

close.

It is a time saver!

It can be used effortlessly to recover

refrigerant from a plant which has

already been decommissioned

and power removed. In urgent

emergencies, when the solenoid

valve coil fails, it is a lifesaver by

keeping the system functioning, until

a replacement coil is sourced and

installed.

The Solenoid Valve Operating

Magnet is available in four sizes:

10mm, 15mm and 18mm and 20mm.

This can be customised to a colour of

your choice, with bespoke company

logo printing available.

Where can I buy the Solenoid Valve

Operating Magnet?

Fridgenius is a successful family

run business, with a firm network

of national and international

distributors supplying the Solenoid

Valve Operating Magnets. They are

suitable for usage in refrigeration,

air-conditioning, water, oil and gas

installations.

Contact

T +44 (0)2381 550189

enquiries@fridgenius.com

www.fridgenius.com

Oliver Twinsafe

engineers let off steam

Oliver Twinsafe,

in partnership

with their official

distributor

HT-PCE,

collaborated

with an industrial

processing plant

in solving huge

leakage problems

experienced

on steam

applications.

Their existing

metal-seated

valve design had to be improved and

even replaced, and for good reasons.

Their valves had only a single

isolation design, and exposed the

risk of leakage due to the number of

potential leak paths they contained.

The perfect solution would be for the

valve design to have far fewer leak

paths, metal-seating with zero-seat

leakage, and a compact design that

reduces overall space and weight.

Fast forward a few weeks and the

engineering team at Oliver Twinsafe

custom-designed a 2”/300lb Double

Block and Bleed (DBB) valve

supplied complete with actuators

and utilisation

of all ball valve

operation.

The team took

onboard all of

the technical

requirements,

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for your processing plant using

the very best in valve design and

technology, contact us on

+44 (0)1565 632636 or email:

sales@valves.co.uk or visit:

www.valves.co.uk

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 25


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26

BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17


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SEE OUR FULL RANGE AT:

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BFN is sponsored by Bartels & Vedder – see them on page 17 27


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