Professional Builders Merchant February 2021

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PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

FEBRUARY 2021

REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT Timber frame home extension kits

Merchant sector sales & confidence BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING Innovation and investment

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Advances in power tools and accessories

Plus: News, supply chain issues, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football All up for grabs!

See page 51

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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CONTENTS REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT 18

SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER Facilitating the creation of extra space for the home with a rapid-install, single storey timber frame extension kit.

21

PLAN OF ACTION The construction industry launches a sustainablyfocused National Retrofit Strategy.

23

PATCH PERFECT Helping your customers ‘make good’ with plasterboard patches and ready-mixed fillers.

25

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

18

BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING 28

31

A NEW ERA Detailing the transformation of Quinn Building Products into the new Mannok brand.

THE NAME ABOVE THE DOOR Vandersanden outlines innovation in brick manufacturing and its plans to accelerate growth in the merchant sector.

February 2021, Volume 31 No. 2

SPECIAL REPORTS 10 THE PULSE Tracking confidence, concerns and prospects in the merchant sector.

10

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES 34

CORDLESS POSSIBILITIES Exploring the surging popularity of cordless power tools.

36

CUT PLASTIC, INCREASE SALES How moving away from ‘Single Use Plastics’ is driving sales, saving cost and waste.

38

A SEALANT FOR ALL SEASONS Highlighting the performance benefits of MS Polymers.

40

DRIVING PERFORMANCE ‘Shaking up the wood screw market’ with innovative thread technology.

42

CORE STRENGTH How a heating engineer has invented a new device for safer core drilling.

13 THE SAFE CHOICE Discussing health & safety issues with Travis Perkins’ award-winning Lucilla Cummings.

43

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

16 THE PERFECT STORM? Assessing the impact of supply chain delays and disruption.

REGULARS 5 6 8 12 14 44 45 46 48 50 51

VIEWPOINT NEWS MARKET MONITOR8 MERCHANT FOCUS BMF TRAINING ZONE PB AD CAMPAIGNS PHPI AD CAMPAIGNS MARKETING SUPPORT PRODUCTS & SERVICES ADVERTISEMENT INDEX FANTASY FOOTBALL

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VIEWPOINT

Déjà vu…

S

o, here we are again. Whilst measures vary across the UK, we are back in lockdown. Of course, there are significant differences with the initial national restrictions announced on 23rd March last year, not least in the clarity that has been afforded to the building and construction sector concerning its ability to continue trading. And with a vaccine now being rolled out, there is hope borne out of expectation that the country can soon return to a surer footing.

However, for all the rhetoric about a ‘race between the virus and the vaccine’, what is really required is a demonstration that lessons have been learned over the year and also a substantial degree of expectation management.

Writing this on 11th January, the current rate of infections, hospitalisations and deaths continues to surge; more stringent restrictions may yet need to be implemented to regain control of the virus and, even once the vaccination programme has been completed, it is only realistic to expect that certain measures could still be required indefinitely.

So what’s the plan; the long-term strategy for both dealing with the virus and for rebuilding the economy as the two are simply intertwined?

Once again, effective communication is an imperative going forward and yet… So many times in the almost 12 months that Covid-19 has been an ever-present factor in our lives, this has simply not been effective enough.

And too often, the Government’s response has been reactive rather than proactive.

Consequently, the measures then inevitably implemented have been more costly and draconian that they might otherwise have been.

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

FEBRUARY 2021

REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT Timber frame home extension kits

Merchant sector sales & confidence BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING Innovation and investment

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Advances in power tools and accessories

Plus: News, supply chain issues, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football All up for grabs!

See page 51

“For all the rhetoric about a ‘race between the virus and the vaccine’, what is really required is a demonstration that lessons have been learned over the year and also a substantial degree of expectation management.”

Similarly, again, the standard of journalistic and parliamentary scrutiny has been found wanting across the board. Newspaper headlines are needlessly bombastic and short-sighted, whilst the sporadic press briefings continue to serve up far too many simplistic and effectively unanswerable (in fairness to the Government) lines of questioning. The repeated ‘it’ll be over by Christmas’ mantra of last year by press and politicians alike shows that the lessons of history are ignored.

Despite the high profile stories of lockdown rule breakers, opinion polls continue to show that public support for coronavirus restrictions remains high. But this should not be mistaken for the nation being happy about it. And patience is increasingly wearing thin. At this vital stage of the pandemic response, an honest approach, with crystal clear communication, is essential to ensure consent and compliance from a population that wants to continue doing ‘the right thing’.

Furthermore, greater clarity is equally essential for businesses that, having adapted in

Editor Paul Davies Assistant Editor Abbie Smith Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey craig@hamerville.co.uk Tel: 07900 248102 Advertisement Manager Sam Shannon-Tinsley stinsley@hamerville.co.uk Tel: 07554 013302 Midlands & Northern Advertisement Manager

Ian Duff Tel: 01204 596633/ 07810 353525 probuilder@sky.com Design Adeel Qadri Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Kerri Smith Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Managing Editor Terry Smith

the most remarkable of ways since last March, are continually faced with the threat of conditions changing abruptly. Of course, these are unprecedented circumstances and (even more) decisive action will be required, but what is the framework? Plan A is vaccinate and get back ‘to normal’ as quickly as possible. But what of Plans B and C? The end of the furlough scheme, already extended previously right at the deadline, is in sight but what happens at the end of April?

Rishi Sunak may have recently introduced further measures of Government support, but a more comprehensive economic response won’t be announced until the budget in March. Is that sufficient to help businesses plan and invest?

Putting it mildly, it is not desirable for the state to subsidise an entire nation indefinitely.

There will be a period when ‘the bill is paid’, and that will require truly innovative and creative solutions. But for the here and now, sustained support for otherwise viable businesses will leave us best placed for recovery in the future. Whenever that may be…

Publisher Bryan Shannon Subscriptions to PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS MERCHANT are available at the following rates: UK – 1 year (11 issues) – £30 post paid EUROPE and OVERSEAS 1 year (11 issues) – £50 post paid AIRMAIL – 1 year (11 issues) – £65 post paid

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Cover story: As referenced last month, Selco Builders Warehouse has added Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles to its fleet for the first time, with new Iveco trucks now operating from its Bristol depots.

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Printed by Walstead Peterborough Published by HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Email: pbm@hamerville.co.uk Copyright © 2021

Average net circulation figure for the 11 issues distributed between 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 = 9,912 To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk

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NEWS UPDATE Kickstart approval

Travis Perkins has been approved as one of the Government’s official Kickstart employers to provide 800 work placements for young people. This is part of the company’s commitment to supporting skills and training for young, unemployed 16 to 24-year olds, and will support the economic recovery by combating rising unemployment in this age group during the pandemic.

As with its portfolio of nearly 40 apprenticeships, Travis Perkins will deliver the new programme in-house. The Kickstart placements, which are initially six-months long, are seen by the firm as a great source for developing its pipeline of colleagues, and an opportunity to build a more diverse workforce for the future across all of its businesses.

Nick Roberts, CEO of Travis Perkins plc, said: “This year we have confronted unprecedented challenges in the face of a pandemic. The impact has been especially severe on those many young people who require further experience and qualifications, and may now find it more difficult to get a job in an even more competitive market. The breadth of our businesses and our track record for training and development, combined with the strong family values and commitment we have to our local communities, mean we have a strong offering for the Kickstart candidates.”

Packed cement

CEMEX has confirmed an investment of over £5million into two new plastic packing lines for packed cement at its Rugby Cement Plant.

The development will significantly increase its capacity for producing packed cement and allow the business to provide long term surety of supply to its customers.

Since the company entered the plastic packed cement market in 2011, it reports that it has seen demand grow significantly

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HOUSEBUILDING LEADS CONSTRUCTION SECTOR RECOVERY

December PMI data According to the latest IHS Markit / CIPS UK Construction PMI, construction companies recorded a sustained rebound in business activity during December. Stronger order books helped to drive the recovery across the sector, with survey respondents often citing work on projects that had been delayed earlier in 2020.

Higher levels of demand led to a slight rise in employment numbers, however stretched supply chains and delays at UK ports resulted in longer delivery times and the fastest rate of input cost inflation since April 2019.

The headline seasonally adjusted IHS Markit / CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index posted 54.6 in December, little-changed from 54.7 in November and above the crucial 50.0 no-change threshold for the seventh consecutive month.

Increased construction activity primarily reflected another sharp rise in housebuilding during December (index at 61.9).

Commercial activity also expanded (51.2), but the rate of growth eased to its lowest since the recovery began last June. Civil

engineering was the weakestperforming category (48.0), with activity falling for the fourth time in the past five months.

Rising workloads contributed to a sharp increase in purchasing activity at the end of 2020, with the rate of expansion holding close to November's six-year high. Some construction companies also cited efforts to bring forward input buying due to concerns about longer lead times among suppliers.

Furthermore, purchasing prices increased at the steepest pace for just under two years, reflecting supply shortages and strong demand for construction inputs with survey respondents often citing rising prices for timber and steel.

Exactly half of the survey panel forecast a rise in business activity over the course of 2021, while only 10% anticipate a decline, signalling the strongest optimism across the construction sector since April 2017.

UK base for ToughBuilt Following its highly successful launch into the UK market, ToughBuilt Industries is introducing its own UK-based sales team. Until now, the US manufacturer has worked with Toolbank as its exclusive UK distributor to supply its range of Sawhorses, Clip Tech pouches, Tool Bags, Totes, Kneepads and Mitre Saw Stands to stockists across the country.

The manufacturer’s new sales team will now take on this role and includes both field and office-based personnel. The new sales team is also supported by a new ToughBuilt UK distribution centre whilst its London office was complemented in 2020 with a co-

year on year. The investment will also facilitate the improvement of the packed product’s design so it can be better transported and stored.

Work will begin at the cement plant in early 2021 and is expected to be completed by the start of the second half of the year.

The development will run alongside the existing operation so there will be no disruption to production.

located product showroom.

The introduction of the new ToughBuilt sales and distribution operation will mean a change to how existing customers order the manufacturer’s products. All orders which customers would like to place or have delivered after 1 March 2021 should be sent to ToughBuilt direct rather than Toolbank.

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TEL: 01923 237799

EMAIL: PBM@HAMERVILLE.CO.UK

BMF MEMBERS REASSURED BY TCI SCHEME EXTENSION

Insurance scheme extension The Builders Merchants Federation has confirmed to members that the government has extended its Trade Credit Insurance Scheme by six months to 30 June 2021. The Scheme ensures that trade credit insurance coverage and credit limits are maintained during the coronavirus pandemic, helping businesses to trade with confidence.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “I currently chair the Construction Leadership Council’s working group on trade credit insurance that, along with the CBI, has been calling for an extension to the Trade Credit Insurance scheme. We also provided detailed evidence from BMF members to support the extension. We are very pleased that the sixmonth extension has been confirmed, providing the reassurance I know many merchants were looking for as trading through pandemic continues.”

The Trade Credit Insurance Scheme, which is approved under State Aid Rules, is available until 30 June 2021, backdated to 1 April 2020.

Individual businesses do not need to sign up for the scheme as in-scope policies held with a participating insurer will automatically be eligible for inclusion.

The Construction Leadership Council guidance on trade credit insurance during COVID-19 has also been updated to reflect the latest reinsurance scheme information. Read the full guidance by entering the shortcode www.rdr.link/my001

a @PBMmagazine

Operational efficiency As part of an investment to boost both operational and environmental efficiency, Owlett-Jaton has taken delivery of a fleet of eight latest generation ‘EKS 412’ Jungheinrich order pickers. The new intake increases the count to twenty order pickers within the twelve thousand square metre warehouse facility, containing twenty- five thousand pallets, at the Head office, based in Stone, Staffordshire.

Initially, the new order pickers were to replace some of the existing machines, with the balance increasing the overall number within the facility. However, the decision has since being taken to keep all of the existing machinery for the foreseeable future in a reflection of the business’ performance.

Operating twenty-four hours a day Monday to Friday, Owlett-Jaton picks and processes over a hundred tons of goods every day.

Top 20 Merchants

PBM is currently compiling statistics for the latest annual Top 20 merchant countdown, based on the turnover figures of the sector’s largest businesses and set to appear in the April 2021 edition of the magazine. To present a truly accurate benchmark for the industry and to ensure our statistics are as

Fundraising drive

Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire-based A E Spink has launched a year-long partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, with the builders’ merchant donating £1 for every ton bag sold. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Around 400,000 men

up-to-date as possible, we are reaching out to merchant firms for the details.

If your organisation is a potential ‘Top 20 merchant’, please visit www.rdr.link/my002 to complete the short survey on our

website or email pbm@hamerville.co.uk for further details.

in the UK are living with the disease and one man dies from it every 45 minutes.

Chris Meek, Building Sales Director at A E Spink, said: “Our aggregate bulk bags now carry the Prostate Cancer logo as we want to raise as much awareness as possible with our

colleagues, customers and the public along with money to fund vital research.”

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MARKET MONITOR in association with

State of play Published just before Christmas, the most recently available Builders Merchants Building Index report (for October 2020) demonstrates a varied mix of highs and lows.

T

he latest Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report shows that sales to builders by Britain’s builders’ merchants were largely flat in October 2020, though the performance varied widely by product sector.

For example, the Landscaping sector continued to perform well, remaining strong into October and recording an increase of 16.5% compared to October last year.

Timber & Joinery Products, which has been subject to significant price increases in recent months, recorded its highest monthly turnover since BMBI data began to be collected in July 2014, with a 5% value sales increase on October last year.

In contrast, Plumbing, Heating & Electrical category sales were 10.5% lower than in October 2019, with Decorating (-8.1%) and Kitchens &

Bathrooms (-6.5%) also struggling to recover.

Overall, Total Builders Merchants’ sales were only 0.2% higher than in October 2019. However, average sales a day, which takes the one-day trading day difference into account, were 4.7% higher year-on-year.

Month-on-month data shows that the strongest increases compared to September were in Workwear & Safetywear (+12.7%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+9.2%), while sales in the highly seasonal category Landscaping (-16%) started to fall.

Overall, Total Merchants’ Sales in October were 1.8% lower than September.

Year-on-year Total sales year-to-date were down 13.8% compared with January to October 2019, with Landscaping the only category to track ahead of last year at 2.8% higher. Most categories remain between 13% and 19% lower than last year, while Tools (-23.9%), Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (-22.1%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (-21.3%) sold even less in the period up to and including October 2020.

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research, which produces the BMBI reports said: “Merchants have recovered well

given the exceptional challenges they faced this year, but continued uncertainty due to an emerging second wave of Covid-19 and tense Brexit negotiations took its toll on sales in October.

“While Landscaping performed well above expectation, it’s disappointing that Plumbing, Heating & Electrical and Kitchen & Bathroom sales didn’t see as much of a seasonal increase in October this year as they usually do.”

Developed and run by MRA Research, the BMBI — a brand of the Builders Merchant Federation — is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-todate measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The data is not from a sample survey but shows actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for over 80% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain.

An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is also provided each quarter.

■ Visit www.bmbi.co.uk for the latest information.

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Merchants upbeat prior to New Year lockdown With the latest survey conducted ahead of the new lockdown measures announced on January 4, builders’ merchants had already expressed caution about short term sales expectations but their outlook for the next three and six months had risen markedly in December.

T

he impact of the New Year lockdown will be borne out by future surveys, however when looking ahead to 2021, merchants’ confidence in the market and in their own business — both month-on-month and year-on-year — improved significantly.

The Pulse, by MRA Research, is a monthly tracking survey of merchants’ confidence and prospects. Telephone interviewing took place between 1 and 4 December 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 The number of merchants fully open nationally continues to increase month by month, reaching 71% in December (see Chart 1). 93% were fully open in Scotland. Over 9 out of 10 of merchants say most or all of their suppliers are currently able to supply them. However, stock availability and extended lead times are still cited as problems.

Sales expectations With fewer trading days, sales expectations for December compared to November weakened sharply, with a net -42% of merchants forecasting lower sales (see Chart 2). A net -27% of small branches and merchants in the North anticipated a drop whilst those in the South (-51%) and large outlets (-56%) were least positive.

Year-on-year however, merchants’ expectations are upbeat with a net +10% predicting better sales in December 2020 compared to the same month of 2019 (also Chart 2). While Independent branches anticipated a decline (net -17%), Regional and National merchants forecasted improved sales over the period (+16%).

Of those forecasting stronger sales, two thirds expected to see an improvement of 10-20%.

The difference between the percentage of merchants expecting growth and those expecting a decrease is the net figure, expressed as a percentage. A positive net percentage indicates growth, a negative indicates decline. Net zero implies no change.

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TRENDS MONITOR The outlook for the next three months (December 2020 to February 2021) strengthened significantly — (Chart 3). National merchants, those in the North and small merchants (net +27%) are most positive.

One in four of those forecasting higher quarter-on-quarter sales expect an increase of up to 10%. Three quarters anticipate growth of 10% or more.

Confidence in the market Confidence in the market strengthened markedly in December, with a net+16% of merchants more buoyant than the previous month. However, confidence varies widely by region — from a net +41% of merchants in the North who are more confident, to -40% less confident in Scotland.

While year-on-year confidence in the market remains somewhat weak, Chart 5 shows it improved significantly compared to November’s survey. Merchants in Scotland (net -47%) and the Midlands (net -46%) were least confident.

Confidence in their business Merchants’ confidence in their own business rose sharply in December’s survey compared to November, with a net +42% more positive. Merchants in the North are particularly bullish (net +73%).

Year-on-year, merchants’ confidence increased steeply (also Chart 5). Regionals (net +38%), small branches (+35%) and those in the North (+33%) were most positive.

Following a steady weakening of sales expectations, merchants’ outlook for the next six months bounced back strongly in December. A net +33% forecast growth, compared to just 1% in the previous month’s survey. Those in the South (net +44%), small outlets (+41%) and Nationals (+38%) are most positive.

More than 8 out of 10 merchants expect growth of up to 20% over the period (see Chart 4). One in ten forecast even stronger growth.

■ About the Pulse The Pulse is a monthly trends survey tracking builders’ merchants’ confidence and prospects over time. Produced by MRA Research, the insight division of MRA Marketing, it captures merchants’ views of future prospects in terms of sales expectations, confidence in their business, confidence in the market, and the key issues and problems they experience.

This report is the 20th in the series, with interviews conducted

by MRA Research between 1st and 4th December 2020. Each month a representative sample of 100 merchants is interviewed. The sample is balanced by region, size and type of merchant, including nationals, regional multi-branch independents, and smaller independent merchants.

■ The full report can be downloaded for free from www.mra-research.co.uk/the-pulse or call Lucia Di Stazio at MRA Research on 01453 521621.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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MERCHANT FOCUS

Ferguson confirms Wolseley UK sale

F

erguson’s intention to demerge its Wolseley UK operation was first reported in the autumn of 2019, and the purchase by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) marks another entry of substantial private equity money into the merchant sector following a number of investments in recent years at businesses such as Huws Gray, Parker Building Supplies (and the other firms now making up the Independent Merchant Group) and Grant & Stone.

With offices in New York and London, CD&R has managed the investment of more than $30billion in 95 companies, and has traded in Europe for more than 20 years.

The transaction represents the twelfth building products and industrial distribution investment completed by the firm over the last decade. For example in 2020, CD&R carved-out White Cap, a leading distributor of specialty construction products, from HD Supply and completed a partnership investment in SIG plc.

Wolseley UK — which operates through 542 branches and three distribution centres — generated revenue of approximately £1.4bn in the year ended July 31, 2020 and will become an independent company wholly owned by CD&R funds and management. Bruno Deschamps, Operating Advisor to CD&R funds and former COO of Ecolab, will serve as Chairman upon the close of the transaction which is expected in the first quarter of 2021.

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Current Wolseley Chief Executive Officer Simon Oakland will continue in the role and commented: “We believe that Wolseley, as a freestanding enterprise, can accelerate growth, enhance customer service, and create rewarding career opportunities for our colleagues. CD&R has extensive experience supporting branch-based networks like ours and shares our vision to continue to build Wolseley’s entrepreneurial culture and relentless focus on customer satisfaction.”

CD&R Partner Christian Rochat said: “Wolseley is a market-leading distribution platform in an industry where CD&R has extensive prior experience and success, and we believe it represents a compelling opportunity to invest at an inflection point and work with a highly credible management team to drive operating improvements and accretive M&A.” David Novak, CD&R Co-President, added: “Providing strategic capital to corporate, family, and founder-owned businesses has been a central tenet of CD&R’s strategy for more than forty years. The disruption of the past ten months has demonstrated the constructive role that we can play providing both capital and operating capabilities to support

Ferguson plc has entered into an agreement to sell Wolseley UK to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice — a global private investment firm — for a net cash consideration of approximately £308million. good businesses. We have a great appreciation for the strengths of Wolseley and look forward to partnering with the leadership team.”

From the Ferguson perspective, CEO Kevin Murphy said: “We are confident the business will benefit from working with its new owners Clayton, Dubilier & Rice who will develop the business further by focusing on continued opportunities in the industry.

We’d like to thank all our associates for their tireless hard work while they have been part of the Group, especially recently through the COVID-19 pandemic. We wish them all the very best for the future.

“The transaction further simplifies the Group and allows us to focus entirely on investing in and developing our business across North America where we have the greatest opportunities for profitable growth.”

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SPECIAL REPORT: HEALTH & SAFETY

In safe hands Lucilla Cummings, HSE Improvement Specialist at Travis Perkins plc, has recently been named the winner of the SHP (Safety & Health Practitioner) Award for Rising Star UK.

P

art of the wider SHP Awards, held in collaboration with the HSE and IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers), the SHP Rising Star Awards celebrate young, high-performing health and safety professionals across all sectors who are going above and beyond to improve occupational health, safety and/or workplace wellbeing in the UK. From a list of 11 finalists Lucilla Cummings, Travis Perkins plc HSE Improvement Specialist, was selected by the judging panel as the winner of SHP’s Rising Star UK Award. The judges were impressed how, throughout her Graduate programme, Lucilla showed a passion for change by working on and leading multiple projects, one of which was paramount in ensuring the safety of colleagues in the external sales force in relation to the potential dangers they could face whilst visiting customer sites and travelling on the road.

The panel also highlighted how Lucilla engaged senior sales leaders in this project by focussing business attention on the risks, continually challenging their thoughts and influencing the output of the project.

Judges noted how Lucilla has made “rapid progression” through the business, taking learnings from her previous roles.

For example, she built and introduced a new Safety Management System at Toolstation and achieved a significant amount in her time at the TP trading brand, including a 10% improvement in Accident Frequency Rate YOY and a 54% improvement in Severity Rate.

Noticing a gap in industry guidance across the builders’ merchant sector on load security for multi drop vehicles,

Lucilla gathered feedback from colleagues on the risks this can pose. She then looked at what industry guidance was available and how it could be applied, leading her to create the Travis Perkins Load Security Principles and working with colleagues to ensure it could be understood and practically applied by drivers and other key personnel.

Kieran Griffin, Travis Perkins Managing Director, said: “This year has been like no other, and we are working and living in strange times under strange circumstances.

I have been hugely impressed by the support from Lucilla and the delivery of our Load Security Principles into the business during these times. The positive effect of that work is widely recognisable across our branch network and colleagues, as we see safer and more secure loads leaving our branches and on the roads across the UK.” Lucilla is working with the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to take her findings on load security and the principles she has introduced into the business into further testing, which could potentially shape industry guidance moving forward.

The panel also noted that, outside of her day to day role, Lucilla is active in the firm’s diversity and inclusion programme.

She has led the BAME agenda in her area of the business and also takes a key role in the company’s Mental Health and Wellbeing group, leading a number of activities and producing materials to support line managers.

On hearing the news, Lucilla said: “I am incredibly pleased to have won the SHP Rising Star UK 2020 award. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

“Having safety at the top of the business agenda means we can steer the way for new positive developments in the field.” my career journey so far, especially my colleagues in the safety team at Travis Perkins. To work in an industry-leading business with the support of seniors leaders allows me and the rest of the safety team to continually drive the safety agenda.

“For me, winning this award has shown that we as safety professionals are ready and willing to embrace change and push forward new exciting developments.

Having safety at the top of the business agenda means we can steer the way for new positive developments in the field.

“My priority will always be to ensure that we can send everyone home safe and well, every single day. Thank you to SHP for this opportunity and for choosing me as your winner. I am extremely grateful to have won this award and look forward to what’s to come in the future.”

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TRAINING ZONE

Planning for your success Concluding our look at the essential role BMF Regional Managers (RMs) play in helping members identify the right development programmes, this month we hear from Alex Clifford and James Spillane.

A

lex Clifford looks after BMF members in London, the South East and Anglia. His 50+ years in building materials has taken him from general merchanting to plumbing and heating, encompassing independents and director level roles at Travis Perkins before moving into manufacturing with John Guest Speedfit.

Launching the firm’s push-fit plumbing range in the UK, he subsequently moved to Polypipe Building Products as Business Development Director before joining the BMF in 2016.

Stating that his wide experience puts him in prime position to advise and assist members to identify training opportunities that not only help individuals advance but also benefit their business, Alex said: “It gives me enormous satisfaction to jointly design training development programmes that I know will help that business.

“There is no one solution to getting the desired result. On-site or off-site, face-to-face or online, packaged or bespoke — all have been key in achieving results that help BMF members stand out from the crowd from entry level through to director, and one of the reasons for this is our tutors’ industry knowledge.”

For Essex-based Chandler Material Supplies, the value of tutors who really understand the merchant business was an important factor in its decision, as Finance Director Ben Chandler explains: “When we recognised that we needed to invest in a programme to develop and empower our managers it was a logical choice to partner with the BMF, whose tutors have always shown a good understanding of our sector. In particular, they appreciate its unique qualities around

14 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

Alex Clifford

James Spillane

branch relationships with customers and our staff ’s flexible roles across the business.”

At 29, James Spillane, whose role covers the North West, Midlands and Ireland, may be the BMF’s youngest RM but he knows a great deal about the wide range of training opportunities available, having previously spent five years as BMF Training Manager.

As an RM, James enjoys meeting with merchants and suppliers in his region to find out about their specific goals and challenges.

He says: “One of the most rewarding things is working with them to find effective solutions to help improve their businesses. This is always varied as every member is unique.

“For some it could be a targeted training programme; for others networking opportunities or access to market data. The BMF Young Merchant Group, which I help to run, is another informal vehicle that can help the next generation learn and develop.”

In particular, James highlights the Diploma in Merchant Management as an excellent tool to fast-track young managers, and BPS in Leamington is just one of the merchants using the Diploma for this reason.

Its HR Manager, Laura O’Keeffe, said: “We have used the BMF Diploma in recent years for our trainee managers to equip them with the operational and leadership skills needed to help run a merchant branch. The training is industry-specific and delivered on a modular basis and has proved extremely beneficial for succession planning within our business.”

The Diploma is now incorporated within the BMF’s Level 5 Management Apprenticeship, which means it is eligible for funding via the Apprenticeship Levy.

To discover the BMF’s latest full prospectus, or to tailor your own programme, visit www.bmf.org.uk/training or contact your BMF Regional Manager (firstname.lastname@bmf.org.uk).

■ BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships, sector-specific Diplomas and a Foundation Degree in Merchant Management to online product knowledge and other specialist skills training.

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SPECIAL REPORT: SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS

The perfect storm?

Whilst a trade agreement with the EU was ultimately signed before Christmas and ahead of the end of the transition period, supply chain disruption was becoming a major concern as the broader logistics industry contended with a triple threat of seasonal demand pressures, Brexit and the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. PBM considers a number of perspectives on the potential for ongoing supply chain issues, including delays, shortages and price rises.

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order closures, traffic jams, lorry parks, customs declarations, rules of origin, container shortages, disruption at the ports and a lack of hauliers.

It has not been a positive time for the vast majority of businesses in the country who depend on a smooth supply chain and seamless logistics.

With issues mounting and increasing accounts detailing the impact on construction supplies, the BMF announced shortly before Christmas that it had begun collating reports from members on product availability issues and would be advising Government on the impact this is having on the sector.

According to the BMF, the current issues mainly relate to goods imported from the Far East — including sanitaryware, power tools, screws and fixings — in addition to timber products imported from Scandinavia, where

16 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

supplies of soft wood are under pressure due to increased demand worldwide.

BMF CEO, John Newcomb — who co-chairs the Construction Leadership Council’s working group on product availability and the movement of goods and materials following Brexit — was reported to be in regular dialogue with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to share intelligence with relevant parties across Government. BEIS has relayed these discussions to the key relevant Departments including the Department of Transport, which is monitoring the issue and increasing its engagement with the shipping industry.

Speaking in late December, John said: “Pretty much all the availability issues at the moment are Covid-related and the result of factories closing and re-opening, along with

the shortage of container capacity, which also flows from Covid. At the moment we view Brexit as a complicating factor rather than the main area of concern, but we have also raised the issue of the preparedness of UK ports and customs post-Brexit with our contacts at BEIS.” He added: “While shortages are not reported to be impacting sites yet, there are a lot of suppliers and merchants already flashing warning signs. It takes only one material to be unavailable to impact work on site.”

Mike Tattam, Lakes Sales & Marketing Director and BMBI Expert, drilled down into some of the detail for PBM and warned that “we’re all likely to be hit by shortages, delays and cost surcharges, however they’re described”.

Citing the recent images of “stationary trucks lining the M20 on the way to the port

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of Dover” and how “reports of congestion in Felixstowe and Southampton ports have spilled into the headlines and onto the main news channels”, Mike added: “It’s not a local British difficulty; it’s a global problem that’s getting rapidly worse.

“It’s been described as a perfect storm with a number of causes, including a shortage of containers because of unprecedented demand, ships mothballed with their containers and crew, and carriers reluctant to take bookings for the UK because of the congestion at UK ports. Container ships are waiting at sea or sailing to the next port and calling in on their way back.

“Some forwarders, anticipating post-Brexit chaos, are refusing to ship to the UK at all.”

Indeed, Mike estimates there has been a 25% reduction in the volume of ships coming to the UK, with logistics further impacted by a shortage of hauliers once the goods have

image courtesy of SCA Wood UK

“Steeply rising costs are being reflected in surcharges, and if you haven’t already had them, you will.

Everyone is being hit. However, surcharges are temporary and will be rescinded when the crisis is over; price increases are permanent.” (finally) arrived and cleared customs. He continued: “Shipping costs are rising rapidly to eye-watering levels. In August, the container freight rate (for a 40’ High Cube) was $1,675. By 1st November this had risen 72% to $2,875 (see chart). As of December 1st it was $7,000 and in the period December 15th-31st rates have risen to $9,750. Shipping experts were forecasting $13,000-$14,000 a container in January.

“In the words of one shipper: ‘shipping costs have gone mad.’ Steeply rising costs are being reflected in surcharges, and if you haven’t already had them, you will. Everyone is being hit. But better surcharges you can pass on to end customers than price rises.

Surcharges are temporary and will be rescinded when the crisis is over; price increases are permanent.

Mike concluded: “I’d also emphasise that merchants should stay with their supply partners to ensure continuity of supply and not switch, hoping to avoid temporary surcharges.”

Returning briefly to the post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU, with the threat of tariffs and quotas avoided, the response from the construction sector appeared to be broadly positive. For example, James Butcher, Head of Policy at the National Federation of Builders and the Construction Leadership Council’s Brexit Working Group Chair, said: “The mutual co-operation in respect of reducing technical trade barriers and co-operation at the border will undoubtedly help to avoid some of the risks of delay and disruption. What this means is that we will not see the inflationary shock of tariff and quota introductions or the expected currency depreciation associated with a no-deal.

“This deal delivers certainty at a time when it is needed most and represents a good day for British construction.”

■ The BMF has requested anyone experiencing delays or other issues with imported products to email details to John Newcomb directly, at john.newcomb@bmf.org.uk, as it continues to build an evidence case to present to Government.

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REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT With a new lockdown now in place, maximising space at home continues to be a crucial requirement with millions working remotely and the majority of children away from school.

As such, Pasquill is confident that its launch — via the merchant sector — of a single storey timber frame extension kit which can be assembled in a day will be an especially timely solution. PBM reports.

Space: the final frontier

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way from the direct effect on health, one of the central impacts of the coronavirus pandemic has been the amount of additional time many of us have been forced to spend in our homes. Lockdown measures have seen repeated instruction to ‘work from home if you can’ whilst the closure of schools last March and again a few weeks ago (to all except vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers) have caused many of us to re-evaluate our relationship with our properties.

Far from simply being a place to relax in the evenings and weekends, the UK’s housing stock must now also serve as the nation’s offices and makeshift classrooms.

Often, the spare bedroom isn’t up to the task alone — especially if a couple of adults and several kids are all jostling for practical workspace at the same time.

It is a problem compounded by the fact that the size of newly-built properties in the UK have been steadily reducing since a peak in the 1970s. Indeed, analysis by LABC Warranty in 2018 revealed that homes constructed in the last decade are in fact smaller than ever before, with the average house size of 67.8m2 of living space now less than the low of the 1930s and 20% smaller than in 1970s, with both the size and number of bedrooms also at a record low.

Even before the pandemic struck, rising house prices had led many to ‘improve not move’ with an ensuing demand to increase the amount of living space. In addition, and

18 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

before it became a requirement, there was also a developing trend for garden rooms and home office extensions as frustrated commuters increasingly sought a better work/life balance.

Increasing demand Coronavirus has of course turbocharged many of these concerns. Indeed, research from Google showed that the term ‘house extension’ was searched a record number of times in 2020, demonstrating that there is a rapidly increasing demand for home investment and improvement as individuals

sustainable timber, the extensions will have a small carbon footprint without compromising the structure’s performance or functionality.

Significantly, the extension can be completed in a day and so disruption to the homeowner is also minimal, thanks to a one load delivery and minimal groundworks as the extension does not require deep foundations. In addition, as the extension is watertight after completion, trades can be onsite together thereby saving further time.

The product is available to order via builders’ merchants, after which it is designed and manufactured to the exact

“Though the product will be designed, manufactured and delivered by Pasquill, the firm emphasises that it provides merchants with the opportunity to manage and sell almost all of the additions, such as the flooring, plaster, insulation and the roof lantern.” and families spending more time living and working at home looking for solutions that will provide more space.

Accordingly, Pasquill is confident that its new timber frame extension kit can provide an effective — and speedy — solution for hemmed-in homeowners. The structure comprises a flat roof and two walls, as well as bi-fold doors from an external supplier.

Manufactured from aesthetically pleasing and

measurements required, making each unit bespoke. Pasquill believes this is an “exciting change” from traditional brick and block extensions, “drastically speeding up the process and representing the first step in making offsite solutions more accessible to the general public”.

And though the product will ultimately be designed, manufactured and delivered by Pasquill, the firm emphasises that it also

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provides merchants with the opportunity to manage and sell almost all of the additions, such as the flooring, plaster, insulation and the roof lantern. Buyers will also be supported by the manufacturer’s special projects team, who are experienced in design and engineering timber solutions, whilst a dedicated manager will assist with onsite construction.

Permitted Development The company further asserts that its timber frame extensions will appeal to anyone looking to improve their home that may have previously been put off due the cost or legal restrictions. Following a relaxation in planning via Permitted Development, the extension of a house without applying for full planning permission is now allowed providing the structure is single storey and up to half the width of the original house.

Chris Powell, Sales Director at Pasquill,

said: “We’re frequently asked by merchants to provide a timber frame solution. Now we’re answering that question.

Traditionally the bespoke timber frame market was low volume, low reward — but this extension product can provide great gains, especially time savings which can be fivefold.

“Offsite solutions are so frequently portrayed as only being suitable for large scale developers. Here we have a product that brings it to the masses, allowing both builders and homeowners to benefit.

He added: “There’s certainly been a rise in demand for this type of home improvement too, particularly since the

various lockdowns, as people simply want more space and to work towards the homes of their dreams. This is a comparatively affordable way help them achieve this.”

■ For more information on Pasquill’s timber frame extension kit, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my003

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REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT

constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk

Without a long-term plan, the Construction Leadership Council stresses that the UK cannot meet its targets of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The organisation has worked in partnership with industry, finance, and other community-based bodies to introduce a National Retrofit Strategy to make the country’s existing homes greener and more energy- and water-efficient, setting out the case for the UK Government. PBM reveals more.

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s part of its work implementing the Roadmap to Recovery Plan, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has given its backing to a National Retrofit Strategy, which has now been issued for consultation. And with our existing homes using 35% of all the energy in the UK — and responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions — the National Retrofit Strategy puts forward a plan for upgrades that are vital to meet the country’s net zero targets.

Subtitled ‘Greening Our Existing Homes’, the plan will help make homes greener and more energy- and waterefficient, warmer and cheaper to run. This

“The CLC asserts that a national retrofit programme will aid recovery in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector, and provide opportunity for a joined-up approach to tackling climate change by all parts of the construction industry.�

is in line with the UK Government’s target to upgrade as many homes as possible to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2035. In addition, the CLC asserts that a national retrofit programme will aid recovery in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector, and provide opportunity for a joined-up approach to tackling climate change by all parts of the construction industry.

The strategy calls for partnership working between industry and Government according to three key deliverables: � creating a ‘building passport’ for every home; � developing of skills training modules; � creating delivery programmes in trial areas to enable a grassroots approach.

The strategy has been developed by participants of the Domestic RMI Workstream, one of the CLC’s four sector specific workstreams looking at Covid recovery, and brings together specialists and the supply chain to address sector priorities.

Mark Reynolds, CLC Steering Coordination Group member, said: “This strategy puts forward an ambitious plan for tackling climate change and creating jobs. It is fantastic to see the high level of support for the strategy from our industry.

The CLC looks forward to working with BEIS and the Treasury to determine how the Government can adopt the strategy’s recommendations.

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“Retrofit promises a great deal for the sector, including a long-term pipeline of work. Not limited to this, retrofit brings opportunities for upskilling, digitisation and innovation, all in line with the Construction Sector Deal.�

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders and Chair of the RMI Workstream, said: “The FMB has called for many years for a National Retrofit Strategy that sets out a comprehensive plan for upgrading our homes. To see the leaders of the construction industry adopt the plan ‘Greening Our Existing Homes’ is a significant step to help create a low carbon built environment. Given that homes contribute 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions it’s very important that we make them more energy efficient if the UK is to achieve its zero carbon target by 2050.

He concluded: “The Government must now work with the construction industry, and all supporters of the retrofit strategy, to implement the report’s recommendations and deliver confidence to business that the retrofit market is here to stay.� ■The consultation period runs until 1st March and a copy of the consultative paper can be viewed by entering the shortcode www.rdr.link/my004 ■To comment on the strategy, feedback can be sent to publicaffairs@fmb.org.uk

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REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT

Patch perfect PBM speaks with Ted Elliot, Technical Product Manager at Artex, who outlines the practical benefits your trade customers can take advantage of on site by using the firm’s Gyproc Plasterboard Patches alongside its portfolio of powdered and ready-mixed fillers.

W

hen you consider the products that should be a fixture in the back of your customers’ vans, a reliable filler would be an obvious contender.

However, Artex would also argue that Gyproc Plasterboard Patches are an equally indispensable companion.

Launched in 2019 to complement the existing EasiFill powdered offering, the Gyproc EasiFiller range now provides a full complement of ready-mix products, and it is a choice that the trades have welcomed.

A ready-to-use solution clearly scores on convenience, whilst the beauty of a powdered option is that it can be mixed to a particular builder’s preferred consistency, and delivers more control.

“If you’ve got a slightly bigger or deeper hole to fill, then mixing up a thicker mix of a powdered product like Easifill 20 will provide a good finish, and reduce the drying times,” reveals Artex Technical Product Manager, Ted Elliot. “When used in conjunction with our Gyproc Plasterboard

Patches, the time and hassle you’re saving yourself can be quite considerable.”

Indeed, many tradesmen will have experienced the sinking feeling when they’ve cut out the holes for downlighters

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only to find that the homeowner has changed their mind, but it is in just these scenarios that Gyproc Plasterboard Patches can be their saviour.

Ted explains: “They are a self-adhesive

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REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT

solution, so it’s just a matter of removing the backing, sticking them over the hole and covering. It’s really that simple, and if you use Gyproc EasiFill 20 over the top you can apply a second coat within around 30 minutes.

Once that’s dried you might need a rub over with some fine sandpaper, but within an hour you’ve affected an invisible finish.

“Not only that but this is a compound that’s fine enough to fulfil the role of both filler and finish, which means it can be immediately painted over.”

Of course, as with any job, there’s a technique and degree of workmanship, and it’s important that the hole is free of any burrs, protrusions or loose material. The second coat is required in order to effectively disguise the hole, and the material should be

adequately feathered out from the edge of the patch to provide that seamless finish.

If, for instance, the Gyproc Plasterboard Patch is 100mm x 100mm then trade users should be looking to cover an area of at least 50mm either side with the first coat, and at least 100mm either side on the second coat.

The patch itself is metal reinforced, with an embedded fibreglass mesh, and decorators should ensure that metal is completely covering beyond the edge of the hole.

Each pack of 12 contains three sizes, depending on the extent of the repair — five 150 x 150mm for the likes of double sockets and larger holes, five 100 x 100mm for single sockets, and two 50 x 50mm for smaller areas or downlighters. The fast setting time of Gyproc EasiFill 20 makes it a suitable

Stockist support ■ Artex says it offers a range of services to support the business needs of builders’ merchants.

For example, its distribution service has evolved to include full and mixed pallet deliveries, so stockists can “easily mix and match to suit your customers’ needs”. Furthermore, its provision now includes the Gyproc Express 48 hour parcel delivery on a specially selected range of jointing and filling products which the supplier describes as a “great way to order small quantities quickly and often, keeping your shelves stocked up and your customers happy”.

To help support sales in store, the Gyproc Have It Covered campaign was created to promote the wide range of Gyproc jointing and filling products available to your customers, incorporating a variety of point of sale and merchandising solutions.

For further details, enter www.rdr.link/my005

24 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

snagging solution, and is part of a range that includes Gyproc EasiFill 45, and Gyproc EasiFill 60, with the numerical value in each case relating to the available working time.

With a pedigree of more than thirty years, the portfolio is very well established in the market. Over the years, its set time, ease of use, consistency and smoothness would inspire a loyal following with decorators as a filler, as Ted concludes: “What the trades want is a solution that’s easy to mix, apply and sand, and Gyproc EasiFill has all those characteristics well and truly covered. It adheres to paint very well and, with a choice of working times, allows for larger areas and multiple rooms to be worked on. These are also chemically setting products, which makes them much less susceptible to seasonal atmospheric conditions, whist there’s reduced shrinkage.”

■ For further information on the Gyproc EasiFill range, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my006 ■ The manufacturer has also produced a video guide to the application of its Gyproc Plasterboard Patches and EasiFill 20 which can be viewed at www.rdr.link/my007

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REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT

PALACE CHEMICALS LANGLOW STRIP AWAY LV

BRETT MARTIN CASCADE FOR DORSET ABBEY TRANSFORMATION Striking the balance between cost effectiveness, performance and aesthetic appeal, Brett Martin’s Cascade cast iron style rainwater system has been used in the transformation of a nineteenth century Grade II listed abbey into 47 twoto five-bedroom luxury homes.

The Cascade Deepstyle gutter system is characterised by an easy fix clip system, which facilitates simple installation, whilst external fixing lugs allow easy access for cordless power tools. Said to be significantly lighter than cast iron rainwater systems, the system is much quicker, easier and safer to fit at height, helping to offer the developer savings in terms of on-site installation costs.

For more news from Brett Martin, go to www.rdr.link/my008

When it came to sensitively stripping away decades of paint as part of a £7.5m restoration of the historic Seaton Delaval Hall, Langlow Strip Away LV was used to uncover the walls of the west wing.

Strip Away LV is a non-corrosive environmentally safer paint remover which does not contain methylene chloride or caustic and will not damage the integrity and appearance of the surface beneath the existing layers of old paint. Here, the contractor used Strip Away LV as it is on the National Trust’s list of stipulated products to be used in helping to protect and restore its historic and often fragile sites.

To learn more about the Langlow Strip Away LV, go to www.rdr.link/my009

DULUX TRADE 99.9% VOC-FREE AIRSURE RANGE

Dulux Trade is strengthening its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of paint with the launch of a new product range that is 99.9% free of volatile organic compounds.

The Airsure range will initially include new Airsure Diamond Matt and Airsure Vinyl Matt — offering the quality, performance and coverage that decorators need but with a lower or equal carbon footprint compared to the standard formulations.

Paul Murgett, AkzoNobel Sustainability Manager, said: “With the UK population spending around 80-90% of their time inside buildings, and up to 60% of their time in their homes, indoor air quality is an important consideration for us all.”

Head to www.rdr.link/my010 to find out more about the Airsure range.

COMPOSITE PRIME WEXHAM GOLF CLUB ECO CLADDING Composite Prime has provided Wexham Park Golf Centre with its eco-friendly HD Clad Pro composite cladding system for its new driving range in a £500,000 project. As supplied by Pontrilas Timber Merchants for the golf centre, HD Clad Pro is a wood grain composite cladding system that provides a durable alternative to traditional timber cladding for residential, industrial and commercial exteriors.

The system is manufactured using recycled plastic and sustainable timber, and is UV stable and stain resistant, providing protection against long-term degradation and damage.

More information is available via: www.rdr.link/my011

BMI REDLAND ROSEMARY Combining a heritage appearance with 21st century performance, the BMI Redland Rosemary Clay Classic tile has been used to refurbish a mid-terrace house in an architecturally distinguished area of Glasgow.

Suitable for pitches ranging from 35° to 90°, these tiles are often used for restoration and refurbishment projects and for new-build developments linked to conservation areas, particularly since there is a suite of compatible accessories and components enabling the tiles to be laid on a variety of roof configurations.

More about the BMI UK & Ireland can be found here: www.rdr.link/my012

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RECTICEL INSULATION DECK VQ When the Courtyard Centre for the Arts in Herefordshire’s extension precluded the use of upstands as part of a roof terrace installation, Recticel Insulation’s Deck VQ was chosen to provide a slim insulation solution which prevented instances of cold bridging to ensure the application met the regulatory U-value The ultra-thin vacuum insulation panel (VIP), has a lambda value of the core of 0.006 W/mK, providing an insulation solution that optimised the adjoining building’s windowed element in terms of the amount of light it allowed, whilst ensuring the roof itself achieved the regulatory U-value.

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING

Following news first announced in September, the renaming of Quinn to Mannok was officially completed on 16th November and the business continues to roll out new packaging and marketing support materials across its full suite of products. PBM discusses the background to the rebrand and outlines the latest steps.

For the long term T

he ongoing challenge of coronavirus and the transition to a post-Brexit future ensures that many things in the market can hardly be considered ‘normal’ at present, yet undertaking a full scale rebrand — including a change from a well-established company name — has to be viewed as a bold move in any context. Yet in the weeks following Quinn’s transition to Mannok, the company has already scooped a host of industry awards and received positive feedback from customers about the new moniker and distinctive branding.

Indeed, the company asserts that continuing with its rebrand plans even in such a challenging landscape “gives a very strong signal of our intention to our customers, to our 800 strong workforce, and to the wider construction industry, and that is a very firm commitment — a message that we are here for the long term and we are going to continue to advance, invest and innovate in the same progressive manner they have come to expect from us”.

Placing the decision into context, the firm has been operating for almost 50 years, having been founded in 1973, and has expanded from the original quarry

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aggregates business to become what is described as one of the most diverse producers of building materials in the UK and Ireland (production sites actually straddle the border on the outskirts of Derrylin, near Enniskillen, in County Feramanagh). The product portfolio now includes a full PIR and EPS insulation range, bulk and bagged cement products, aircrete blocks, concrete roof tiles, and a range of precast concrete elements.

The decisive move to rename the company as Mannok — a name which derives from Fear Manach, the origin of its Fermanagh home — is the next step in a “five-year transformation and investment

programme” following its acquisition in 2014 by the current owners. Since then, around €60m has been invested to expand the product ranges, enhance the service offerings alongside improvements in infrastructure, process efficiencies and its sustainability credentials.

The development period has also seen employment increase by almost 200 people and has been designed to position the company for further growth, particularly in the GB market.

Now, the company states it is in its strongest position since acquisition, with a strong financial footing, and has “earned a solid reputation as a trusted supplier of

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quality building materials. The rebranding from Quinn to Mannok is a major milestone for us, but very much part of the strategic development plan to build a robust brand name which appeals to the wider industry and fits with the expansion plans for the long term”.

The company’s CEO, Liam McCaffrey, continued: “For our customers, they can expect more of the same, so they’ll have access to the same products and be dealing with the same people, and I think it’s very important to reassure our customers that they can still rely on that. There will be administrative changes associated with the name change, but the processes around ordering stock, deliveries and customer support are not affected by the name change.

“As we move forward under the Mannok name, we will continue to enhance our processes to ensure the best customer experience. A key objective for us is to expand our product range, and this is a message which will appeal to our merchant customer base and in turn, their customers.”

With the name change hitting the market in November, merchant customers will already be familiar with the new brand — incorporating distinctive colours and the standout M logo — however the full rebrand will take up to 12 months to complete. The company notes that its product packaging and promotional materials for merchant customers are a “high priority” and further rollouts are happening at pace — for example, the new look cement bags are in production along with new brochures, POS, signage and more rebranded products and packaging to follow.

An early endorsement for Mannok came at the 2020 NBG Supplier Awards, held in a ‘virtual ceremony’ in late November, which saw the firm collect four awards under its new identity. Voted for by the buying group’s merchant Partners in each of NBG’s eight Category Management Teams (CMTs) as well as accolades for the overall Product and both heavyside and lightside Brands of the Year, Mannok secured the General Building CMT title in addition to winning Product of the Year for its NBG-exclusive Master Grade Cement. The firm also secured the Heavyside Brand of the Year title as well as taking a special ‘Lockdown Hero of the Year’ award.

Lee Gillman, Mannok’s GB Sales Director, said: “Each one of these awards means a great deal to us, and reassures us that we are doing right by our customers, both in terms of the products we’re producing and the service we’re providing.

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“Given the unprecedented challenges 2020 has presented, to receive the newest award at this year’s event, Lockdown Hero, is a very special achievement for us. Like every other business, we’ve had to adapt in any way we could to service our customers safely, and the whole team have worked incredibly hard to ensure we support our customers throughout.”

■ The packaging for Mannok’s new look

cement range has been designed to ensure they will be easily recognisable to merchant customers. For example, Master Grade Cement is packaged in the Mannok teal, the primary brand colour (replacing the familiar blue bag) whilst the Premium Grade Cement will be packaged in the vibrant Mannok green.

GB Sales Director Lee Gillman said: “We have had very positive feedback on from merchants. Everything about the Mannok brand resonates with strength and energy, so it is very fitting to package our leading cement products in bold and distinctive colours that represent the brand and will stand out in any merchant store or yard.

“The new look cement bags will be in production early in 2021, along with newly branded insulation and new packaging wrap for our ranges of roof tiles and aircrete blocks, so merchants will see all product packaging change from Quinn to Mannok in the new year.”

■ For more information on Mannok’s product range and support services for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my014

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING Dark Vandersanden Morven brickwork was used on the exterior of the award-winning ‘4 Views’ luxury new build in the Hampshire countryside, designed

by Winchester-based AR Design Studio.

The name above the door The twin challenges of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have not stopped Vandersanden, the Belgian-headquartered manufacturer of bricks, slips and pavers, from continuing its growth in the UK market. PBM speaks with UK Sales Director Darren White to discover more.

T

he Vandersanden Group was established in 1925 and is now said to be one of the largest family-owned brick manufacturers in Europe, with a total annual production capacity of approximately 500 million bricks. It operates from manufacturing sites in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany in addition to sales offices in France and the UK — via a newlyupgraded facility, purchased in 2019, in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Now under the third generation of family ownership, the company employs more than 700 people and has an annual group turnover of more than €200 million.

Vandersanden has been active in the UK market for more than two decades. Until

2017, it had worked with specialist distributor Hoskins Brick however following the retirement of Alan Hoskins and the desire of Rob Hoskins to undertake new challenges and projects, the manufacturer and its UK partner entered into an acquisition agreement to ensure a ‘direct’ presence in the domestic market under its corporate name, allowing it to “improve communication and build longterm relationships with its customers.”

In the UK, having continued to supply through the existing merchant network, Vandersanden committed to “invest in improving our levels of business with all our partners”. And to assert its reinvigorated presence, Sales Director Darren White states the company has pledged to deliver on its

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long term investment plan to give the market a “better, value-driven proposition… that offers quality, consistency and choice” to put real value back into what is all too often still seen as a commodity product.

For example, in-branch promotion and merchandising had previously received little consideration, however Darren — whose experience in the brick industry stretches back more than 20 years — says that this has changed significantly in the ensuing years now that customers are dealing with “the name above the door”. Accordingly, merchant customers are able to utilise a host of point of sale materials to support what is billed as “the widest range of bricks available from any manufacturer”.

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING

As the business strives to cement its brand in the UK, messages on the Group’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and sustainability will form the centrepiece of its strategy to help drive business for merchants. Already, it deals with the national merchant chains, buying groups such as Fortis and NBG along with many other independent merchants, whilst Vandersanden UK is also a member of the BMF. In a recent ‘Insight’ piece for the BMF, Darren explained that — despite the

significant challenges facing the wider market with Covid and Brexit — Vandersanden UK was performing strongly.

The “transformation” of its UK headquarters includes a “stunning showroom facility which we are looking forward to launching to all our customers when the restrictions allow” whilst the firm has also expanded its UK team in the areas of sales, technical support and customer service.

Darren said: “This will enable us to focus further on customer value,

Coated, hand-formed bricks ■ Over time bricks can discolour and lose

their lustre because of the impact of efflorescence, wet weather or air pollution.

The result can have a detrimental effect on a building’s visual aesthetic, for example compromising the architect’s design vision and reducing the value of the property for the owner. Indicative of its commitment to offering innovative, value-added solutions, Vandersanden states that it is the first company to develop a “viable, large scale coating solution” to provide superior protection against efflorescence as well as secondary protection against the effects of pollution.

The company’s automated coating formulation, developed with Belgian University, KU Leuven, makes facing bricks avoid efflorescence and reduce the effects of air pollution, ensuring façades remain as intended and untarnished for many years. This innovative and environmentally sustainable process — which also makes it easier to clean the brick, if dirt or damage does occur — has now been fully rolled out across the firm’s entire hand-formed brick range available to the UK market.

Retaining the original colour of the brick, applying the coating during the production process eliminates the need to coat the bricks with an applicator once they have been installed. It is also said to reduce the often laborious and costly task of prepping the façade for a coating and the regular maintenance required. Furthermore, coated bricks can be delivered at the same cost as non-coated bricks.

32 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

innovation, and sustainability. We plan to invest further with the development of digital tools and services to enhance the customer service and experience.”

As a European manufacturer, Darren also addressed the changes brought about by Brexit: “The burning question I am repeatedly asked is will there be any supply issues? Personally, for us I do not foresee this being the case. We have worked very closely with our partners and have all of the necessary procedures in place. We have also increased our core range stock holding at the docks and will continue to communicate closely with our customers to identify their needs to ensure we meet their requirements.”

He concluded: “Whilst it would be foolish of me to think that 2021/22 will not be challenging for us all, our industry is fundamental in keeping our economy going.

This, coupled with the shortfall in housing and the government initiatives that are in place, puts Vandersanden in a strong position to face the challenges in front of us.”

■ For more information on Vandersanden UK, its products and support services for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my015

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Merchants can’t afford to ignore the growing popularity of cordless tools says Mark Batchelor, Sales Manager — National Accounts, at Makita UK. Here, he explains the customer benefits of such solutions and how maintaining good stocks can help generate greater returns.

Cordless possibilities W

ith more tradespeople looking for new ways to tackle construction tasks more efficiently, many are adopting modern solutions which benefit from technological innovations such as brushless motors and cordless design. For merchants looking to ensure their range meets demand and continues to deliver real value to their customers, consider how products that feature such innovations may influence your power tools offering.

Cordless and brushless benefits In recent years, leading manufacturers have worked to develop tools that harness these technologies and deliver outstanding results with cordless machines that are suitable for even high-demand, industrial applications.

In the past, some in the sector were reluctant to adopt cordless tools due to a perceived tradeoff between flexibility and power. However, advancements in battery technology and product design have improved the performance of cordless tools

34 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

to provide the power and torque comparable to their corded counterparts. This means that professionals can not only work harder, for longer and tackle many common construction tasks on just a single charge, but also enjoy increased flexibility on site without being constrained by the limits of a cable, power supply, or the need to carry heavy transformers.

Furthermore, cordless tools that have been designed with a brushless motor yield even greater benefits for your audience.

Brushless motors require minimal maintenance and tend to have much greater lifecycles, primarily because there are no brushes within the motor causing friction — which is a potential cause of wear and tear in brushed motor alternatives. As such, supplying brushless motor tools can help to reduce the likelihood of customer returns.

What’s more, brushless tools produce more torque per weight, which means less power is required to achieve the same result.

For example, Makita’s brushless solutions help to extend tool run times by up to 50%

on each battery charge, which instantly allows customers to improve their on-site productivity rate.

Battery platform For your customers, a manufacturer that can offer a wide range of tools that are powered by one battery platform will be appealing as

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well as ensure your own business has less SKUs to manage and products to navigate.

Makita’s cordless power tools are driven by one of three battery platforms – CXT, LXT and XGT, depending on the application. For example, the 18V LXT battery alone is compatible with over 270 of the company’s tools and equipment products, representing a huge revenue opportunity. For end users, the ability to interchange between tools to tackle different tasks seamlessly with one battery is a strong sales message.

Once invested into the battery platform system, these customers will remain loyal to the brand family, again opening up ongoing revenue streams as they increase their cordless tool supply.

Ensuring customers are satisfied with their cordless purchase seems obvious, but there are sadly manufacturers that make unsubstantiated claims regarding battery and power performance resulting in a tool purchase that does not match customer expectations. To avoid the risk of an unhappy customer, dissatisfied with their product, it is vital that when making recommendations that only trusted and reliable manufacturers are considered.

This also extends to warrantees. Suppliers that provide long-term guarantees with their

units can instill longer term confidence and trust in the product. Warrantees are protected when genuine Makita batteries are used with its products and tools.

Product knowledge As always, it’s important to make sure you have the appropriate product knowledge to guide customers and to make recommendations that increases potential basket value. To this end, working with an industry-leading manufacturer that has a wide sales support network which can offer flexible product training is ideal. Makita has a regular training programme to keep merchant partners fully updated on new products in its range and its technologies, as well comprehensive point of sale material to help customers at the point of their purchase.

This can be a beneficial resource to provide further value and care for your client base.

As the nation looks to start building again, merchant professionals will once again be called upon to help ensure those in the trade are getting the best tools and equipment on offer to them. There’s an increased incentive for those in the trade to find new ways to improve work efficiency and on-site productivity. As such, there now

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

exists a distinct opportunity to recommend modern, innovative solutions which benefit from technological advancements, such as brushless motors and cordless design.

In doing so, merchants can deliver additional value to their customers, to help generate greater customer satisfaction and loyalty in return. More than anything, being up to date on this new range of technologies can help merchants go above and beyond with advice and guidance, whilst stocking the latest in-demand products will ensure your business remains relevant in today’s modern marketplace.

■ For more information on Makita’s cordless range, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my016

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Cut plastic, increase sales Cutting the use of ‘Single Use Plastics’ is driving sales whilst saving cost and waste, explains Scarlet McAleese-Banks, Marketing Director of Hilton Banks.

I

n 2019 the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) launched its “Spotlight on plastics and packaging” campaign to raise awareness and showcase best practice in how the construction industry can reduce, reuse and recycle plastics and packaging.

Shockingly, the campaign highlighted that 23% of plastic produced in the UK is consumed by the construction industry and 25% of construction packaging waste by weight is plastic. Moreover, construction as a whole produces three times more packaging waste than all UK households combined.

For merchants, moving away from Single Use Plastics is a strategic and, ultimately, a socially responsible business decision. It can also be a decision that makes financial sense too. According to a 2019 survey from Hotwire, 47% of internet users worldwide said they had switched to a different product or service because a company violated their personal values. As society’s attitude changes, merchant suppliers will undoubtedly need to adapt

36 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

their products and the packaging they come in.

Plastics are finding their way into our seas and oceans, and of those plastics that are sent to landfill, some take over a thousand years to breakdown in the soil.

Pollsters recently found that 85% of adults in the UK are worried about climate change and Surfers Against Sewage findings suggest that approximately 5,000 items of plastic pollution have been found per mile of beach in the UK. Making the change The rise of environmentally friendly sealants and adhesives is therefore a responsible move in the right direction.

Firstly, the ingredients of the sealants and adhesives are changing to more environmentally friendly advanced hybrid polymers. While this must be a priority, only a few manufacturers have made the decision to cut Single Use Plastics and move to foil versions of their hero products.

We are proud to say that Hilton Banks, owner of the HB42 brand which is exclusively for merchants, was one of the first to do this. And the good news is that we are already changing minds — we saw a 20% increase in sales of Eco Foils through merchants in 2020, and it is a trend we want to build on.

We are listening to the trade and working to tackle the pressing environmental problem of disposing of the single use plastic cartridge. In 2019 we launched our best-selling HB42 All-in-One Sealant and Adhesive in 400ml Eco Foils: easy to use and dispose of with minimal mess, moving to foils has significant advantages.

For example, the 400ml foils produce 95% less waste than the single use tubes and users get 38% more sealant than in the 290ml plastic tube. Using the latest MS Polymer technology, the product seals, sticks and fills, is flexible up to 230%, can be over-painted and works in the wet. It is low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and

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bonds to almost anything. It is also food safe, and fully cures in 24 hours.

Sales opportunities We believe there is a significant sales opportunity with foils. In our own research we found that 87% of small to medium sized tradespeople said sustainability and the environmental impact of construction work is an important issue for them. Furthermore, 97% believe the industry could be less wasteful in terms of packaging and 81% would expect the cost of more sustainable packaging to be the same.

So installers are receptive to the idea of cutting waste, as long as the strength and usability of

the sealant is not impacted. We have ensured that is not the case and we have also ensured that there are cost saving benefits. For every 20 skips of plastic cartridges, only one single skip of used HB42 Eco Foils goes to landfill. Over time this adds up to a significant saving.

The HB42 range was launched in 2013 to meet increased demand from builders, plumbers and decorators’ merchants to supply a high-end trade brand of sealants with clear branding and sensible pricing that offered merchants good margins. With the addition of Eco Foils, we believe it is time for merchants to begin the move away from Single Use Plastics. ■For full details on HB42 in Eco Foils packs, in addition to product videos and details of merchant support, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my017

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

A sealant for all seasons Since they were first launched twenty years ago, MS Polymer sealants and adhesives have continued to grow in popularity due to their versatility. Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Geocel discusses the differences between silicones and acrylic sealants, while also highlighting the performance benefits of MS Polymers and their unique characteristics.

F

undamentally and taking things right back to basics, construction sealants are used to prevent fluids, air, heat, sound and fire from passing through material surfaces, joints, or openings. Sealants are also typically used to fill openings that are too small for other materials to be used. They have a crucial role in a wide range of applications, from large scale projects to smaller, everyday tasks for trade professionals.

The reliability of a product is key when choosing a sealant, with callbacks not just a hassle but a waste of precious and valuable time. As a result, it is crucial for merchants to stock and recommend high-quality sealants and adhesives that are guaranteed to perform for the intended job.

While silicones and acrylics have traditionally been used by most tradespeople, the emergence of MS Polymers as an alternative has led to a wide variety of options. This makes selecting what to stock and what to recommend a more complex task. With this in mind, it is useful to understand the key differences between each type of sealant and the multi-use applications that each has to offer.

38 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

Silicones A popular choice due to their versatility, silicone sealants adhere well to a wide range of construction substrates while providing durability. Silicones are available in a variety of colours and offer excellent UV and colour stability in addition to extreme temperature resistance.

Silicones are also renowned for their elastic and water-resistant properties. As such, they are ideal for use on expansion and connection joints in sanitary areas, floors, walls and glazing applications. Furthermore, silicones have an established heritage due to years of usage across all areas of construction. This means users can be assured that the product will reliably perform as intended for projects ranging from the most complex to the day-to-day.

gaps on materials like plastered walls, masonry and wood. With no sanding required, acrylics can provide the ideal solution for simple, construction jobs.

Acrylics Acrylic sealants are best used for applications where there is low movement, and little or no contact with water. While acrylics do not offer the same flexibility or weather resistance as silicones, the products are ideal for jointing, caulking and filling

MS Polymers Over the past decade, MS Polymers have continued to grow in popularity. According to research carried out by GFK in 2018, MS Polymers grew by 32% in 2018, a significant increase, to bring the category to 22% of total sealant sales in builders’ merchants.

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“According to research carried out by GFK in 2018, MS Polymers grew by 32% to bring the category to 22% of total sealant sales in builders’ merchants.”

First introduced to the trade market 20 years ago by Geocel, MS Polymers feature many of the attributes found in traditional sealants — the flexibility and UV stability of silicones, the paintability of acrylics and the durability and toughness of polysulphides.

However, MS Polymers also offer some unique advantages of their own. For example, their non-staining properties on

natural stone make the sealant ideal not only just for facades but also for projects such as sealing marble or granite kitchen work tops. The excellent adhesion properties — superior to ‘grab’ adhesives — can also enable direct use on wet or dry surfaces, including most plastics, tiles, wood, stone, metal, brick, glass, concrete or plasterboard and can even bond and cure

underwater. Finally, once applied they won’t attack synthetic materials, unlike solvented grab adhesives.

Simply put, MS Polymers are ideal multi-use products, perfect for ‘odd job’ type projects, which may otherwise prove tricky to find a suitable solution. By using these products, trade professionals can seal, fill and bond almost any surface, wet or dry, inside or out, so they are a really good and effective all-rounder.

As a pioneer of the initial MS Polymer products, Geocel recently announced its new THE WORKS PRO range. A construction sealant and adhesive with the brand’s most advanced formulation yet, THE WORKS PRO provides an extremely secure bond and flexible seal. Also available as a high grab construction adhesive and cleaner spray, the range is designed for tradespeople that require a premium product for versatile use.

When it comes to providing trade professionals with high quality sealants and adhesives that offer lasting performance, workability, fast curing times and a long-lasting finish is crucial. For merchants looking for versatile products that can provide a solution to a wide range of customer needs, then it is worthwhile considering MS Polymers such as THE WORKS PRO range.

■ For more information on THE WORKS PRO range from Geocel, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my018

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Launched to the UK market last autumn, A Perry states that the innovative thread technology behind the new Tenz wood screw will offer a host of benefits to trade users. PBM reports.

Driving performance

L

aying claim to being the UK’s largest independent ironmongery manufacturer, A. Perry is confident that its latest innovation is set to “significantly shake up the wood screw

market”. With its patented ‘Stairs Thread Technology’, Tenz from Perry has been in development for over a year.

In an exclusive agreement with Tenz, this technology made its debut to the UK market

with a raft of awards and accreditations to its name already, including the prestigious ‘Red Dot’ award in recognition of its high quality design technology.

Steve Perry, Head of Marketing at A. Perry, said: “This is a huge coup for us and we know it is going to be a market leading product. Developed for projects demanding the highest of standards, the key point of difference from conventional wood screws is the revolutionary new thread design.

“Tenz reduces the friction along the thread, making work more efficient. The wood fibres are gently displaced and not drilled or milled which uses less energy force thanks to the oscillating screw.”

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Suitable for use on both hard and soft wood, Tenz is said to offer an unrivalled grip, fixing and overall drive performance ability. Reduced energy needs means that capacity is used as efficiently as possible, and it is claimed that this will even extend the tool life when using a battery powered drill.

Indeed, reduced energy levels of up to 50% and low screwing torque mean more screws can be fixed which maximises the battery life of cordless screwdrivers when compared to traditional screws.

With the screw, no pre-drilling is required, effectively cutting out an entire work step. In addition to the energy savings gained through no drilling and no milling, the displacement of the wood fibres by the Stairs Thread Technology also means the screw is designed to optimally bond with the wood ensuring a long-lasting, highly secure fixing.

The new technology is even said to afford certain health benefits to the user as it requires minimal physical effort and less pressure to install when screwing the wood than conventional screws to deliver maximum output — something the company claims will come as welcome relief to professionals and DIYers, as fatigue is reduced and the strain on joints is minimised.

A Perry even states that, with arthritis a common ailment to those in construction, Tenz could have a positive impact on those

individuals who suffer. Steve Perry adds: “Arthritis can be an invisible condition, as sufferers often continue with DIY tasks or professional work, despite the pain this causes. This new Tenz screw will make a big difference to the lives of those affected.”

The product comes in eco-friendly plasticfree packaging whilst a selection of point of sale and display units are available for stockists.

■ For more information, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my019

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES A quick-thinking plumber with more than thirty years’ experience has come up with a new device for safer core drilling. Lee Jones, from PBM’s sister publication Professional Builder, spoke with the tradesman and inventor.

A specially designed clip means the core bit can be easily removed from a drill or extension bar

Core strength L

essons of the painful variety can often have the most lasting impact, and when one plumber broke his thumb on site it would inspire a brand-new solution for the trades. “I was removing my core bit from my drill in the same way that pretty much every tradesman does it – and that’s by hitting a spanner with a hammer,” explained Devon-based Ty Harnett.

“Unfortunately, I missed and fractured a bone. That put me out of action for a couple A dedicated knockout tool allows the core to be easily removed from the bit

42 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

of weeks, incurring loss of earnings as a result, which gave me plenty of time to ponder that there must be a better way.”

It is a predicament with which many a tradesman can identify — because the torque tension of a drill is so powerful, the core bit will bind very tightly on the equipment, which then presents a problem when you need to remove it.

Spanners are not designed to be hit with hammers, as Ty found to his cost. However commonplace it might be, it’s a dangerous and time consuming practice but, once you have successfully removed the bit, you’re then faced with the next challenge of how to eject the waste material. Again, the solution has traditionally been brute force, with the inherent risk of denting the metal construction of the core bit.

“It was easy to come to the conclusion that what we currently had on the market was not really fit for purpose, but it’s much harder to come up with an alternative,” admits Ty. “However, I was pretty determined and sketched out a design, from which some prototypes were commissioned.

I was then able to test these out on my own jobs and found the idea itself was sound — and the result is QuikCore.”

The 47-year-old plumbing and heating engineer’s focus was on producing a product that would not only prevent injury, but also any damage to the tools themselves.

QuikCore features a quick release clip for easy removal of the core bit from the drill or extension bar, as well as an accompanying ‘knockout tool’ that will safely punch the core from the core bit.

A simple solution, perhaps, but behind that concept lies some complex design work to ensure that the bit’s construction is up to the rigours of the job at hand, as Ty explains: “A core drill can run at anything up to 3,000rpm, so the clip had to be incredibly robust to withstand those stresses, but also easily removable by hand when required, and that’s where the real work was required.”

Ty has worked tirelessly on sourcing a manufacturer and distribution (the product is already available in a number of national and independent merchants), all whilst maintaining his successful plumbing business, and has been rewarded with a product that is quickly establishing itself in the marketplace.

■ For further information on the QuikCore, including testimonials and product videos, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my020

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES PROTRADE SUMOGRIP FOIL PACK A fusion polymer high grab adhesive designed for virtually any bonding application has been launched by Protrade — the Sumogrip Foil Pack. The new ‘user-friendly’ foil packed product is odourless, 100% solvent-free and does not contain any halogens, isocyanates, or acids.

And while the 400ml foil is physically similar in size to the industry’s traditional 310ml plastic cartridges, it contains approximately 35% more product, making it more economical to buy. Once consumed, the volume of waste is also reduced by 95%, leading to substantial savings in waste disposal costs.

Find out more about the Sumogrip Foil Pack by heading to www.rdr.link/my021

FEIN STARLOCK ACCESSORY KITS Compatible with the recently-launched MultiMaster 300, 500 and 700 series, Fein has released a range of new Starlock accessory kits for the UK market. With the accessories, the MultiMaster range is said to offer 1,000 blade possibilities, including sawing, sanding, polishing, cutting, filing, scraping and cleaning, for a mix of applications from wood, metal and heating to flooring, tiles, grout and renovations.

The new accessory kits are available in a range of combinations and can be matched according to application and material, while also offering savings for users looking to purchase a Fein combo set.

Enter www.rdr.link/my023 to discover more.

FESTOOL TOPROCK SPEAKER

BULLDOG TOOLS POWERBREAKER INSULATED GENERAL SERVICE SHOVEL The POWERbreaker Insulated General Service Shovel by Bulldog Tools is fully tested in the UK to BS 8020 and is supplied with an individual certificate of conformity. The blade is solid forged in one piece and rounded to reduce penetration damage to pipes and cables.

Each shovel is fitted with treads, whilst the insulated handle has double polymer layers bonded over a solid fibreglass core with a collar incorporating a protective wear sleeve.

Bulldog Tools are available in the UK via Rollins & Sons.

Go to www.rdr.link/my022 for additional information.

Whether in the workshop or construction site, the Festool TOPROCK Bluetooth speaker allows installers to listen to audio from their smartphone. The speaker is designed to fit the lid of the firm’s Systainer³ storage system, so there is still the space for storing tools and accessories. Thanks to the special holder, the speaker can also be directly integrated into bott vario3 vehicle equipment.

The four neodymium speakers have a total power of 20 watts and the two bass reflex system provides rich, voluminous sound. In addition, the USB port provides a power bank function for charging external devices, so users can ensure their devices are always charged.

Use the shortcode www.rdr.link/my024 for details.

BESSEY TELESCOPIC DRYWALL SUPPORTS Available in three sizes, the telescopic drywall supports from Bessey are said to satisfy every customer requirement. For example, the ST version offers clamping options from 75cm to 2.90m and, at maximum extension length, can be loaded up to 60kg.

Described as an even more powerful and convenient option, the STE version has a load limit of up to 200kg at maximum vertical extension length and up to 350 kg when the telescopic rod is fully retracted. Thanks to non-slip PVC contact surfaces, this means it can be used safely even on inclines.

Further details await at www.rdr.link/my025

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FREE TO TH E TR ADE

Professional

Counter talk

PLUMBING ■ ROOFING BUILDING ■ FLOOR ING ■ AND DECOR ATING ■ ■ CARPE NTRY ■ PAINTI NG FEBRUARY 2021

FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

OPEN FOR !

BUSINESS

BUILDING! CARRY ON SAYS BORIS

NEW BUILD & PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT THE HOUSE WINS

VEHICLES & PLANT

DRIVING FORCES AT WORK

THE KUBOTA U27-4 TASKS IN TIGHT SPACES WITH TACKLE THE MOST DEMANDING

RWC Connceted thinking…

WD40 Difficult made simple

True to the above tagline, the iconic brand is not messing about in promoting the WD-40 Flexible straw — designed to reach the unreachable and make the tough jobs at work easy.

Learn more via www.rdr.link/my026

Taking installers from the ‘boiler to the point of use’, RWC is promoting how its family of products unite to offer an integrated solution that is fast and simple to fit. For instance, the plastic pipe connection technology of JG Speedfit is used in tandem with brass SharkBite to give a complete push-fit solution. Together with the pressure and temperature control valves from Reliance, the company states your customers will have everything they need.

Find out more at www.rdr.link/my027

Mannok Your new brand…

The next stage of Quinn’s transformation into Mannok, this advert cuts straight to the chase by showcasing a number of the products — the Premium Grade, Master Grade and General Purpose cements — available under the ‘new brand for superior building products’.

The ad also highlights the impressive four awards scooped by the brand at November’s NBG Supplier Awards.

More details can be found by entering www.rdr.link/my028 in your browser.

Rocket Door Frames Pocket Door Systems & more

Senco Next gen Duraspin screwdriver

The ad boldly proclaims that “20 years after Senco revolutionised drywall fixing comes the latest generation of collated screwdrivers with a host of new features designed to make hard work easy”. Such features include a new feed on return for faster and jam-free fixing and a new five-year warranty.

Comprehensive details await via www.rdr.link/my029

44 PBM FEBRUARY 2021

As homeowners look to maximise all available the space in their properties, Pocket Door systems are witnessing a surge in popularity with many being sold via merchants. The steel system promoted here by Rocket will suit any UK door panel and comes with free door furniture.

The company is also outlining its Flush Hinged door systems, including an FD30 kit, and its products are available with a 12-year warranty.

For further information, visit www.rdr.link/my030

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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021

Throughout the duration of the pandemic, Professional Builder and Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer magazines have continued to communicate with professional tradespeople across the nation, increasing their digital reach when trade counters were closed.

As work continues to ramp up despite further restrictions, PBM looks at some of the advertising campaigns to feature in the latest issues as active suppliers seek to influence the buying decisions of approaching 200,000 trade professionals at merchant branches each month.

ATAG Heating Technology 14 year warranty

Having opened up its sales channels to selected independent merchants last year, ATAG says it is looking out for installers and their customers even more by offering an extended, 14 year warranty on what it describes as “Europe’s most efficient boiler range”.

Take a look at the full details of the initiative via www.rdr.link/mv031

BATHROOM RENOVATION

SHOWERING SECRETS REVEALED

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT KIT YOURSELF OUT FOR WET WEATHER

HEATING & RENEWABLES OIL, HEAT PUMPS, HYDROGEN & MORE

VISIT PHPIONLINE.CO.UK FOR REGULAR UPDATES

AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Wera Tools Joker and Zyklop Mini

More beautiful ads from Wera this month, showcasing the ‘Never seen before’ 6003 Joker combination wrench and also the ‘Out of this world’ Zyklop Mini series. Both campaigns look like promos for classic sci-fi movies, and the products themselves look set to keep you on the edge of your seat.

For comprehensive details, use www.rdr.link/my033 for more on the Joker and www.rdr.link/my034 for further info on the Zyklop Mini.

Warmflow Agentis

Billed by the company as ‘the next generation of oil boilers’, the advert for Warmflow’s AAA-rated Agentis says that the unit will save up to five litres of fuel per week and features an integrated 7-day programmer.

For installers, over £150 worth of factory-fitted extras are included in the purchase, which Warmflow says will save two hours installation time.

Take a look at www.rdr.link/my032 for more.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Wilo The Pump Exchange

Flagging up Wilo’s new pump replacement guide, the company says the initiative will help installers to quickly and easily find the replacement pump they need whilst they are on the job. The service also provides a host of additional features designed to make life easier for your customers.

More info can be found via www.rdr.link/my035

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POINT OF SALE

Changing times Brett Martin has announced the launch of its new corporate identity which is being rolled out over the coming months in a comprehensive programme encompassing a new website, fleet livery, marketing and merchandising materials.

W

ith a turnover in excess of £185m per year, Brett Martin is a leading supplier of plumbing and drainage systems, plastic sheet products and sheet systems for roofing and cladding.

Established in 1958 and headquartered in Mallusk, Northern Ireland, the firm remains family owned and now supplies products to over 70 countries worldwide with over 50% of turnover derived from export sales.

Its existing brand identity has been in place for almost 30 years, during which time the company has grown extensively across a number of building and roofing material

sectors. Designed to communicate the firm’s current scale, the new identity is described as expressing the “fresh, open and ambitious style which has remained consistent in over 60 years of trading”.

The centrepiece of the new identity is a new logo which sees the company swapping its ‘three swooshes’ for a unique icon created to represent the diverse operations of the business, which mean different things to different customer types.

Indeed, if you look closely at the new design, it is an amalgam of the three business units — the outer square represents plastic sheeting, an inner square denotes daylight systems, whilst the curve at the bottom of the graphic equates to the (typically round) products of its plumbing & drainage operation.

Accordingly, the change is said to “demonstrate our single minded determination to enhance customer service in each of our markets”.

As detailed in Brett Martin’s new ‘Inspire’ customer magazine, produced to introduce the new corporate identity, the new “bolder, fresher look” goes beyond simply a change to the logo and different colours, and “reflects the drive and passion which has driven our growth over six decades. Now, moving forward with confidence, the new identity represents our continuous ambition as we

invest further in the business to increase and enhance the service we offer”.

Due to feature on all marketing materials and technical support documents going forward, the full branding and new style is set to enable Brett Martin to develop additional digital marketing content to support its merchants and will, for example, also feature heavily in the presentation of the manufacturer’s housebuilder range including its new stormwater management system, StormCrate55, and the Cascade cast ironstyle rainwater system.

Laurence Martin, Managing Director, said: “As a business, we embrace positive change and this has led us to update our corporate identity to reflect the scale and ability of Brett Martin today. Our business has expanded tenfold since our last identity was established, so with our new logo we aim to communicate the true strength of our now global brand.

“Brett Martin’s continued growth, across our varied markets, reflects the outstanding support we receive from our staff on seven sites plus our customer facing, field-based teams. This is matched by the support of our loyal base of distributors, merchants and customers, all of whom play a vital role in our success. Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to serving you in the future.”

■ For more information on Brett Martin’s new identity and support services for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my036

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ARISTON WATER HEATING SIZING GUIDE

It is important to properly size a water heater to meet the needs of a business or household and ensure optimum efficiency.

As a result, Ariston has introduced a comprehensive guide to its portfolio of highquality vented, unvented and instantaneous electric water heaters, outlining which models are best suited for a range of domestic and light commercial applications throughout the UK. The guide can be found in the new Ariston hot water brochure and is said to make it simple to identify which product is best suited for a project, by cross referencing the types of outlet with the intended levels of use.

GRANT UK BROCHURES

A new consumer-focused brochure for the new Grant Aerona³ Air Source Heat Pump range is now available and is designed to provide homeowners with an in-depth introduction to this type of renewable heating. Similarly, consisting of 52 pages, the firm’s new Oil Boiler Range brochure features the Vortex and VortexBlue oilfired boiler ranges alongside Grant’s energy management systems.

The new brochures are 100% recyclable, being printed on 100% recycled, uncoated paper using a plant-based ink which will enable them to be placed into the recycling bin once they are no longer required.

SNICKERS WORKWEAR CATALOGUE With a focus on comfort, performance and sustainability in its new products, the 2021 digital catalogue has a range of information on the Snickers Workwear range, including new products that now use ‘Repreve’ — described as the world’s number one brand of recycled performance fibre.

As featured in the guide, the company has launched AllRoundWork Topwear with the cooling 37.5 moisture transportation fabric, as well as upgraded FLEXIWork Stretch Trousers with extra functionality and durability. Also featured is a stretchy hi-vis Work Jacket with comfort and flexibility for high-performance work and high visibility in low-light conditions.

SANIFLO NEW CATALOGUE

The comprehensive new catalogue from Saniflo is colourful, easy to follow and showcases the supplier’s range of new products including grease traps, submersible pumps, larger lifting stations and a boiler condensate pump.

It is designed to provide clear and concise guidance regarding which products are best suited to a range of applications — from small homes to large commercial premises — and features useful information about the brand’s history and global presence, noise levels, support, warranties and an overview of its macerating technologies.

ALPHA ‘A REAL BOILER’ CAMPAIGN

Alpha Heating Innovation has launched a new homeowner-focused campaign to promote its combination boiler range and drive new business for installers and stockists. The ‘A Real Boiler’ campaign began with a television advert that will run through the winter, with the ad showing the story of an animated Alpha boiler on the journey to its new home and how heating can bring a home to life.

To find out more, viewers are directed to a dedicated website where they can watch again, find their local installer from Alpha’s network and request a free information and children’s activity pack.

For more examples of supplier support for merchants on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my037

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES IMPERIAL BATHROOMS BLACK SAPPHIRE COLLECTION Satisfying the growing desire for Noir Luxe bathroom interiors, Imperial Bathrooms has launched the Black Sapphire Collection.

Featured in the company’s 2020/21 Brochure, the newly created portfolio is an all-black bathroom series of UK-manufactured sanitaryware designs.

The collection extends to four product ranges — Etoile Black Sapphire, Astoria Deco Black Sapphire, Drift Black Sapphire and Radcliffe Black Sapphire — and MD Graham Bucktrout said: “Market trends continue to appreciate highly-stylised bathroom interiors, and this has led to darker colour palettes being used to create a bold statement in the home.”

NORBORD CABERACOUSTIC Designed to reduce both impact and airborne transmitted sounds, Norbord’s CaberAcoustic chipboard flooring panel can be used for both domestic and non-domestic applications. The portfolio comprises 28mm and 32mm variants of tongue-and-grooved particleboard panels with a 10mm sound reducing layer bonded to the underside.

This specially designed layer, made in the UK from recycled felt, is said to reduce impact noise transmission by up to 19dB and also helps reduce airborne noise when used as part of the appropriate flooring system.

Furthermore, the board’s tongue-and-grooved edge profile gives a tight, easily-fitting joint.

HUNTER PLASTICS ABS PLASTIC By designing the new solvent waste range from ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, Hunter says it has created a solution that offers installers strong impact resistance and high tensile strength.

The range is available in black, grey and white, and in three sizes: 32, 40 and 50mm. Hunter adds that the range has also been developed to enable fast installation as the products can be easily cut on-site without the need for specialist tools, ensuring that installers are able to make small alterations easily, which in turn can help them to save time and money.

PIPESNUG IDEAL HEATING ENDORSEMENT Ideal Heating has endorsed the use of FlueSnug for use with its boilers and flues. Designed to help ensure new build properties meet airtightness requirements, FlueSnug also simplifies the installation of flues in older properties and can eliminate the need for any further pointing with mortar or sealing around the flue to the building fabric.

Richard Farrow, Product Manager for Domestic Boilers at Ideal Heating, said: “FlueSnug helps installers comply with new building regulations and rigidly holds the flue in place. It is perfect for those who want to do a ‘proper’ job, with an excellent finish.”

PJH GROUP BATHROOMS TO LOVE COLLECTION PJH’s Bathrooms to Love Collection has enhanced its heating range with the addition of over 40 new radiators and ladder rails, as well as accessories and valves, in a range of competitive ‘good, better & best’ price points.

The collection includes some high heat output models, such as the Clava Slim vertical designer radiator in white, as well as a very slimline design at just 325mm in width and 1800mm height. In addition, there is the tubular ‘S’ shaped Giro model in chrome with a high BTU of 3522.

SANIFLO GREASE TRAPS In order to help minimise the issue of fatbergs in the nation’s sewers caused by FOG (fats, oils and greases) waste, Saniflo has launched three new grease traps — SanigreaseT24, SanigreaseT and SanigreaseS. Designed for mobile use such as food trucks, SanigreaseT24 is a small, lightweight (4kg) unit that can be installed under one sink. SanigreaseT meanwhile sits on raised feet and is designed for cafes and restaurants serving up to 100 meals per service and which have one to four sinks. Lastly, SanigreaseS is suitable for large, professional kitchens in hotels, hospitals, canteens and other mass catering venues that require larger grease traps with a sludge trap for recovering heavy materials.

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VASCO CLIMATE CONTROL APP Vasco’s radiators can now be controlled in three ways: manually with an RF thermostat, via home automation or via Vasco’s Climate Control app. The app enables users to control their indoor climate and the E-Volve Wi-Fi module controls electric radiators via the home Wi-Fi network.

E-Volve Wi-Fi is available for All Vasco’s electric bathroom radiators including Iris, Agave, Aster, Carré Bad, Zana Bad, Viola and Niva. The supplier also offers environmentally friendly options with the Oni-EL and Beams Mono-EL both produced from recycled aluminium and available in the Vasco colour range.

BLANCO SOLIS STAINLESS STEEL SINK The undermount Solis sink from Blanco is the supplier’s newest stainless-steel sink and is available in seven sizes — 180, 340, 400, 450, 500, 700 and 340/180mm. Key features include Blanco’s covered C-overflow and InFino drain system as well as accessories including a new bamboo cutting board.

The company adds: “The key to this sink is the balance between function and design. Not only are the lines of the sink clean and streamlined, the bowls, with radii 42mm (corner) and 25mm (bottom), are big and deep enough to be practical while the surrounding draining/prep area is optimised whatever the size.”

IDEAL STANDARD CERAFINE D AND O RANGES Incorporating soft, geometric shapes to reflect current home design trends, Ideal Standard has launched its new Cerafine D and O ranges — two easy-to-clean brassware collections. Both collections comprise basin mixers, mini basin mixers, dual controlled bath fillers and dual controlled bath shower mixers.

Designed with user comfort in mind, all basin mixers in the range are equipped with a 5l/min aerator. The basin mixers in both collections also incorporate Ideal Standard’s FirmaFlow ceramic cartridge which has a lifetime of 500,000 operating cycles — more than twice the requirement to meet WRAS standards and equating to 10 to 15 years of regular, daily use.

IDS LIVIT LVT FLOORING RANGE Suitable for kitchens and bathroom in private and social housing, as well as commercial applications, the LiViT range of Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) from IDS is said to offer a high quality, durable and design-led flooring solution at a competitive price point.

The collection comprises 10 designs available in plank and tile formats that are quick and easy to install thanks to patented I4F click technology. Featuring R10 slip resistance and compatible with water piped underfloor heating, the planks are available in one size of 178 x 1244mm, while the tiles are available in 303 x 607mm. Both formats offer a 5mm thickness, a stable rigid core and come with built-in underlay.

CARRON PHOENIX SIFT TAP Available in three finishes of matt black, brushed nickel and chrome, the Sift filter tap from Carron Phoenix joins the Dante TriPure and the Dante filter tap in the supplier’s portfolio.

With a height of 397mm and spout reach of 216mm, the Sift features the swan neck style of a J-spout design and includes a perlator which delivers a ‘champagne-style’ water flow. Suitable for medium pressure systems and with a five-year guarantee, it also features a limescale reduction filter system (located in the cabinet underneath) to improve the taste of water through the reduction of limescale, odour and sediment.

SNICKERS WORKWEAR FLEXIWORK NEON JACKETS AND FLEECES Designed to deliver comfort and freedom of movement, Snickers Workwear has launched the FlexiWork neon jackets and fleeces.

With Neon panels and reflective details for enhanced visibility, the innovative fabric technology used in the Fleece Hoodie and Jacket are said to make them great for working outdoors in the colder months.

The lightweight 4-way stretch garments come in a body-mapping design and are made from an Elastane/Polyester fabric with a waterand wind-repellent finish for comfort and durability when it is needed most.

For more details on these and other new products on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/my038

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PBM FEBRUARY 2021 49

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With Paul Davies

TIGHT AT THE TOP

WINDOW DRESSING

I suppose there was a certain inevitability about the general unpredictability of the current Premier League campaign. With a truncated pre-season and the clear impact of playing in empty stadiums, the early part of the season saw some distinctly off-kilter results. Similarly, tweaks to the VAR interpretations — especially relating to handballs and penalties — all combined to produce an abundance of goals and a dearth of clean sheets.

Scorelines may have returned to a closer sense of normality, but the results are still more mixed than you might usually expect. And, following several seasons of the title winners accruing in the region of 100 points, teams this year are tracking closer to the high seventies. Points are being shared around and, even though most of the usual suspects are broadly where you’d expect, the table is as tightly packed as I can remember.

Whilst Leicester have earned their credentials in recent years, the likes of Everton, Southampton and Aston Villa deservedly remain right in the mix. From a Fantasy Football point of view, the ‘template’ team that many drift towards at this stage of the season far from a fixed proposition.

Big hitters like Kane, Salah, Vardy and Bruno Fernandes may form the core, but who could have predicted the sustained form of Bamford, Calvert-Lewin, Wilson or Zaha?

I’ve always rated Son, but wouldn’t have expected him to be right at the top of the FPL standings.

At the back, injury-depleted Liverpool can’t be relied on and ‘Pep roulette’ makes guaranteed picks from a tightened-up Man City tricky. So let’s turn to Bednarek, Cresswell, Dallas and Mings instead!

As if we needed any more reminders, these aren’t normal times…

At the time of writing, there’s precious little transfer window activity, but I did like the curious tale of Royal Antwerp forward Didier Lamkel Ze. The Cameroon international has been vocal about his desire to join Panathinaikos and in a rather novel attempt to try and force a move through, he turned up at the Belgian club wearing the shirt of rivals Anderlecht! When this plan failed, he pledged to return the next day in a Beerschot top — Antwerp’s fierce city foes!

An apology duly followed, but as yet, no move to Greece…

STATUS QUO A Tottenham v Man City Carabao Cup Final means that you’ll still have to go back almost a decade to find a winner that isn’t either Jose Mourinho or the blue half of Manchester.

City, of course, have won the last three on the bounce and also lifted the famous three-handled trophy in 2014 and 2016 whilst the Spurs boss earned the title during his second spell at Chelsea in 2015 and during his stint in charge of Man Utd in 2017.

So will it be 6-2 to City or can the Special One close the gap?

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