17 minute read
Editor’s Choice
New year, new Managing Director
The IPG, the largest and fastest-growing membership group for independent plumbing, heating and bathroom specialists, has today announced the appointment of its new Managing Director, Glenn Fisher.
Advertisement
Glenn will be taking over the helm from current Founder and Chairman Robin Beal, who founded The IPG on a passion for supporting small, independent businesses. Since its creation, The IPG has gone from strength to strength and is now working with an extensive supplier network and has over 200 member locations nationwide.
Glenn, who has held various senior positions and is also a qualified accountant, brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, having worked with several owner-managed businesses. He is passionate in supporting independent companies and is keen to “Not just level the playing field, but reshape it in favour of our members, by creating an environment where they can thrive!”
When he isn’t working, the married father of two young sons is a keen lover of the outdoors; taking the opportunity to travel and camp with his family whenever he can.
The latest appointment, follows shortly on the heels of the announcement of David Cairns, as the selling groups’ Head of Supplier & Commercial Strategy and sets the wheels in motion for an extremely exciting year for the group, following on from the phenomenal opening of not one, but three, flagship stores in 2019.
Robin Beal Founder and Chairman at The IPG, said: “I am pleased with Glenn’s rapid promotion within The IPG family. Glenn brings a wealth of experience and most importantly a passion for independent businesses. I am confident that Glenn’s experience and determined nature will be instrumental in leading The IPG forward in our strategy for 2020.”
Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units.
Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base.
Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic
Glass Excellence
Products
• Toughened glass • Processing • CNC shaping • Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated constructions • EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Fabric and decorative interlays • Structural interlays • Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass
Applications
• Structural glazing • Glass floors • Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies • Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated • Decoration • Wall cladding • Splashbacks • Privacy • Technical Support • Nationwide Coverage
Further information is available from our sales and technical offices or visit www.firmanglass.com
Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com
In association with
www.firmanglass.com
RINNAI CELEBRATES ITS FIRST 100 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS TO SERVE ITS CUSTOMERS
Rinnai, best known in the UK for its comprehensive range of hot water and heating home units, is globally celebrating its first 100 years of manufacture in serving its customers with a three-year period of planned anniversary related events to connect to the start of the company’s next centenary.
The Rinnai Corporation was founded in Nagoya, Japan in 1819 and today operates in 17 nations and regions around the world with sales of kitchen appliances, air conditioners, hot water heating & home heating units in over 80 countries.
Says Rinnai UK Managing Director Tony Gittings, ”The company has evolved and developed into a group that produces a diversity of products and services that directly benefit ordinary people in their daily lives. “Our policy is to help enrich the lives of people in local communities by providing optimal solutions that fit the lifestyle culture, climate conditions, and the energy situation of each country around the world. The three-year period is aimed at connecting the first century to the next one. The theme will be named - Connected in passion for the next 100 years.” presence of Rinnai - the issuing of a new logo and a new brand statement – ‘A Healthier Way of Living’.
In the UK Rinnai is the acknowledged leader in continuous flow hot water heating technology. The company offers a comprehensive range of A-rated units plus large systems for any size of site or application.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT RINNAIUK.COM
Keeping your garden in tip top condition this Winter
During the winter months it’s easy for us to retreat to the warmth of the home instead of spending time in the garden, but it still requires a little maintenance during these colder months to ensure that it is fighting fit for the year ahead.
Here are some handy tips for keeping your garden in great shape over the winter from garden specialists Oeco Garden Rooms so you can start planning your summer garden. Lawn maintenance
the grass does grow longer than you’d like you can cut it, but we recommend only cutting it down by a third. Grass that is too short can have a hard time surviving the colder weather, whereas grass that is too long can become brittle with the frost, so a happy medium is required.
Winter is the ideal time of year to prepare an area for a new lawn; simply dig out the proposed area making sure to leave some clumps of soil on the surface. These clumps will be broken down by the frost, creating a great base for the new lawn.
When maintaining your existing lawn it is important to realise that, on warmer days there will be some growth, but this can be kept to a minimum by not feeding the grass. However, if
It is important to keep weeds and moss under control throughout winter as they can quickly take over your lawn. It is also a good idea to regularly rake fallen leaves and other debris so that the grass still has access to the sunlight. Winter plant maintenance
As the temperatures drop, the plants that are not killed by the frost prepare to go dormant until the warmer weather comes. Cut off any blackened stems and clear out any dead foliage such as annual flowers and vegetables to prevent diseases from spreading to other areas of the garden. Spread a thick layer of mulch over all of the remaining plants and soil; this keeps the temperature much more even so that the plants can acclimatise much faster without being stressed; fallen leaves from any trees on the property also make a good source of mulch so don’t discard them. Gardening equipment such as lawnmowers are rarely needed during the winter, so it is the perfect time to service it. Sharpen the lawnmower blades and ensure that the engine is serviced to keep it in tip top condition. Empty any remaining fuel or check that the electricity lead is well maintained before storing away. Drain all of your hoses to prevent frost attack and wrap hessian fabric around any external taps and pipes to protect them from the cold. Tools which will not be needed such as lawn edger’s and pruning shears should be wiped clean and all metal parts sprayed with a lubricant like WD40 to prevent corrosion. For tools which will still be in use such as garden spades and forks, these should be cleaned off after each use.
www.oecogardenrooms.co.uk
Dreamland Margate has once again teamed up with HemingwayDesign to create a striking new logo for the amusement park’s 100th anniversary.
The family-led design studio has created the unique Dreamland 100 brand for use throughout 2020, when the iconic amusement park will celebrate its centenary.
HemingwayDesign’s approach was to take influence from the retro style of Margate’s seafront promenade and bring it up to date with a touch of modernist minimalism. They have produced a striking new wordmark for the centenary aimed to appeal to lifelong Dreamland visitors and new fans alike.
In a series of playful animations, the logo comes to life by reflecting the motion and energy of Dreamland’s rides – the drop of the Scenic Railway, the spinning of the Hurricane Jets, the drama of the Pendulum and the constant activity across the park - and forms the primary visual language throughout both print and digital.
The brand celebrates Dreamland’s heritage with the slogan: 1000 smiles per hour, 100 years, 10 decades, 1 Dreamland.
While a leisure venue has existed on the Margate site since the 1870s, it was not until 1920 that John Henry Iles transformed it into the pleasure garden and amusement park Dreamland – and opened the famous Scenic Railway to the public.
When the re-imagined Dreamland opened in 2015, HemingwayDesign was appointed to create the brand and design proposition. Their work garnered significant media coverage and awards, and made Dreamland one of the most sought after locations for photo shoots, music videos and family fun in the UK.
2019 has been Dreamland’s most successful year since reopening, welcoming more than 700,000 visitors to the free-to-enter park throughout the season.
A series of large-scale events, new art commissions and festival fun is being planned for the amusement park in 2020 to mark the landmark anniversary. Acts already announced include Mike Skinner (DJ set), DJ Spoony, Faithless (DJ Set), The Levellers and a huge line-up for the Soundcrash Funk and Soul Weekender in May.
Dreamland can also reveal that it will host two major international music acts on the park in the summer, each with a 15,000 capacity – the biggest events since the 2017 one day takeover by Gorillaz.
Dreamland CEO Eddie Kemsley (F) said: “Our 100th year will celebrate the future of Margate and Dreamland as well as its past.
“Dreamland is one of the most important and striking attractions in the country, it is part of our cultural heritage. So much love and hard work has gone into preserving and celebrating this cherished seaside attraction over the past ten decades; we are immensely proud to introduce it to a new generation of Dreamers and to give them something sensational to talk about in 2020.
“Not only do we have a huge line up of events in the works, but we also look forward to sharing stories from our past – and celebrating our loyal customers – with the rest of the world.
“This year will go down in Dreamland’s history books as one of the greatest ever – watch this space.” celebrations on weekends and school holidays from 7th to 31st December. The park is free to enter, and guests can book tickets for the new Grotto Experience in advance (which includes rides).
For the remainder of 2019, dreamers can also bag tickets for shows from Fabio & Grooverider, Soul II Soul, The Cuban Brothers with DJ Yoda, and the Chase & Status (DJ Set) New Year’s Eve party.
For more information and daily opening times, visit www.dreamland.co.uk.
Neaco are Playing with a Full Deck!
The first of Neaco’s new options is Neatlok; a closed, interlocking plank that provides privacy and directional drainage. Option two is the Neatwalk plank, which is laid with 5mm gaps for a free-draining solution.
Both concepts have been developed to closely replicate the aesthetic of traditional timber decking but have the added benefit of being A1 to A2 Fire Rated with superior spanning capabilities and slip resistance. Like Neaco’s modular decking, the planks can be used as stand-alone decking solutions or can be offered as part of a complete balcony solution.
The Neaco product range is manufactured in the UK within their purpose-built manufacturing facility, which means lead-times are reduced. They also offer an industry leading, bespoke cutting service. This will provide made-to-measure planks for your specific application. Cutting prior to coating gives the added benefit of protecting the coating and ensuring the quality and durability.
All of Neaco’s decking solutions can either be mill finished, coated to any desired RAL colour or coated in one of their three standard durable colours.
If you’d like to request any samples, data sheets or further information about Neaco’s new and existing products, please get in touch by emailing sales@neaco.co.uk, calling 01653 695 721 or visiting www.neaco.co.uk.
18
Rinnai introduce the Sensei N Series
New generation of outstanding continuous flow condensing hot water heating units and delivery systems - capable of delivering more than 950 litres of temp. Controlled hot water per hour at commercial temperatures from a single unit
Rinnai, the world’s leading manufacturer of continuous flow hot water systems, is introducing the Sensei N Series to the UK marketplace, as the new generation of maximum quality and reliability in hot water heating delivery.
The new Rinnai Sensei N Series water heater range offers a new and more compact and enhanced combustion design that allows for easier installation and enhanced operational performance together with increased levels of serviceability.
All components in the range are designed and manufactured by Rinnai, and this ensures maximum quality and reliability from the industry leader in commercial continuous flow water heating products and systems.
The Rinnai Sensei N Series is the first ever continuous flow hot water heating unit manufactured with stainless steel heat exchangers to be available in the UK - this gives a greatly extended working life at optimum performance to each of the four models in the range. Added to this is the Sensei N Series market leading extended warranties.
The four models are: the N1600i giving 954 litres per hour; the N1600e (external) also giving 954 litres per hour (at 50 degrees); the N1300i giving 775 litres per hour and the N1300e also giving 775 litres per hours of
Other features include:
• flue up to 30+ metres for concentric • Turbo Fan
• Built-in controller as standard on both internal and external models
• Cascade Cable assembly allows up to 24 water heaters to be connected and function as one total and complete system Any number of N-series
Rinnai water heaters can be manifolded together enabling the largest capacities on the market. • Built in flue damper • Air inlet filter
• Frost Protection – minus 15°C on the internal versions and minus 20 °C on the external versions
• New PCB Design • Controller as standard – Lockable, set up of appliance, Temperature set up to 75°C • Maintenance Monitor for engineers
temperature controlled at 50 degrees. The two 1600s have load profiles of XXL and are water efficiency class A rated, while the 1300s are load profile XL and are also water efficiency class A rated.
Rinnai manufactures over 2 million hot water heating units each year and so can offer advantageous cost savings for installers and end users. The N Series are probably the most competitively priced type of their kind currently available to the UK sector.
All the range are also low-NOx and the Sensei N Series utilises Rinnai’s patented advanced burner technology with a 13-1 turn down ratio – the largest on the market – with extremely quiet operation. Integral controls on the units enable the water heater to achieve high efficiencies because of advanced burner control and high modulation ranges.
In reducing Legionella proliferation, Rinnai has developed additional ‘SMART’ controls for secondary return DHW systems in the form of an advanced temperature control system which allows for safe running of water at 42°C core temperature during the day and 60°C overnight.
The advanced burner controls with the Sensei N Series models ensure that all the appliances are well ahead of the NOx requirements set within ErP. The current level of permissible NOx set by ErP is 56 mg/Kwh. The Sensei N Series range have been third-party tested at 28 mg/Kwh making them one of the greenest water heating appliances available. As the units do not incorporate storage their ‘green credentials’ are further recognised by BREEAM and score additional credits under the building regulations.
The industry uptake of Rinnai’s continuous flow heater systems are proven to be more energy efficient than conventional storage systems and are increasingly the experts’ preferred method of hot water provision. Rinnai units easily cater for any size projects that need high volumes of water at intermittent times of day.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.RINNAIUK.COM
Yourkeys have just taken a massive step towards dramatically changing the way property is bought and sold by completing the first fully digitised end-to-end property transaction.
The company, backed by The Mortgage Advice Bureau amongst others, ties together all of the major stakeholders in the transaction including conveyancers, mortgage brokers, lenders, housebuilders and estate agents. Putting the above transaction into context, Yourkeys have reduced the time to reach exchange of contracts from the industry average of 63 days, down to just 11 days. This milestone achievement by the Yourkeys team is a gamechanger for the industry as a whole. Yourkeys CEO, Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson is the pioneer behind this tech revolution and recognised back in 2017 that the house purchase process was completely fragmented. “The problem is that there are lots of companies involved in each transaction and their systems don’t talk to each other. We saw the opportunity to build a data layer that pulls together inputs from everyone involved in the process.” No easy feat when you consider that there are thousands of legal firms and financial advisors nationally. “This was a huge challenge but working with our partners, we achieved it and now have over 2,500 companies directly integrated into the platform.” he added. Digging a little deeper into the magic behind Yourkeys, the technology pulls together over 200 data sets from multiple sources to reduce buyer onboarding time from weeks to just minutes. In practical terms, this is a huge leap forward for conveyancers who are tasked with collating a tonne of information at the start of the home purchase process. With the Yourkeys tech in place, ID verification, anti-money laundering checks, mortgage applications and dozens of different documents are pulled together in minutes which can be instantly passed down the supply chain. The result is a dramatic acceleration of the process and a better customer experience all round. Yourkeys pulled together some major companies from the sector, including The Conveyancing Association, The Mortgage Advice Bureau, HMLR (Land Registry), Search Acumen, LEAP, Redbrick Solutions, Convey Choice, UK Finance and many more to make the magic happen. Dawson commented, “We knew we needed to work with the most forward-thinking partners to completely revolutionise the process, an innovation long overdue!” Peter Beard, Sales Director of MBU Capital, who performed the first transaction on their development in Stevenage said: “This is revolutionary, not only for us but for the market in general. The problem with the sales process has always been that there are too many people involved with no oversight of what’s happening. Yourkeys stitches all the pieces together to give complete transparency to all involved without any additional work or input of information.” Yourkeys are currently focussed on the new build sector however Dawson says that the technology will be adapted for the second-hand market by Q2 2020: “We’re aiming to complete 10,000 transactions nationally in 2020 with at least 60% coverage of all legal firms and IFA’s, and that includes the second-hand market. We already have some big nationwide companies ready to trial this new functionality, so it’s very exciting times.”
