2016
Annual Review The Council for Aluminium in Building
CAB
Mission & Contents
02 | CAB
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CAB’s Mission is ‘to promote the use of aluminium in building by being the recognised voice of the sector’.
President’s Report
5
Chief Executive’s Report
7
Technical Director’s Report
9
Regional Members’ Meeting
10 & 11
Aluminium in Building Conference
12
CAB News 1
13
State of Market Confidence
14
CAB News 2
15
Membership Benefits
16 & 17
Membership 18 Industry Bodies
19
President’s Report Mo Panam
04 | CAB
I
am pleased, as your President, to be able to announce another year of continued growth and positive development for your Trade Association. It would be fair to say, however, that few of us would have foreseen the challenges and uncertainty we would face in 2016 caused by events on a national and international level. While the Construction Products Association forecast that construction output will rise only 0.6% in 2016 and 0.3% in 2017, our own CAB State of the Market Surveys, especially Q3, 2016 remain largely positive (see page 14). I was particularly encouraged to see CAB members confident about future capital investment across all the key metrics for the year ahead. It is essential that CAB continues to have clear value propositions for members that relate to both our 21st Century sustainable material and added value for membership. To this end I am pleased to see that our varied programme of Regional Members’ meetings, conferences, seminars and training programmes continued to be extremely well supported throughout 2016. In fact our ongoing contractual awareness seminars, seen as a major membership benefit, attained a booking to attendance rate of 98%. The CAB Board is acutely aware of the ‘Skills Gap’ that exists within the construction sector. As a result, we are currently gauging support for a potential programme for 2017 that addresses the issue of essential accredited training for fabricators and installers. On the technical side, we have remained heavily involved with standards development. In a post Referendum world, it is clear that industry has no appetite for creating a brand new set of its own standards and will wish to continue to adopt European and international standards that are well understood by customers. I believe we have gained, and continue to gain, a high calibre of member which will make us even more relevant to the whole construction industry. Finally, I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their good advice and commitment, the hard working CAB Team for their input and all our members for their continued support. CAB Board as at 1 December 2015 Mr K Ashby
Mr Peter Dziurzynski Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems Mr P Newcombe Float Glass Industries Mr M Panam Barley Chalu Mr J Ratcliffe Company Secretary Mr A Toon a2n Management Mr M Wadsworth Senior Architectural Systems Mr R Yates AluK (GB)
Chief Executive’s Report Justin Ratcliffe
06 | CAB
W
e welcome you to our 2016 Annual Review
During 2016 our sector has once again shown great resilience despite the uncertainty brought on by Brexit. In fact 80% net balance of CAB members across the supply chain forecasted growth in the year ahead in our Q3 State of the Market Survey and aluminium in building continues to outperform the overall construction sector across numerous metrics. However, we recognise the huge challenges members have experienced with currency fluctuations. On a positive note we welcomed the multi-billion government investment in housing infrastructure and accelerated infrastructure in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement especially at a time when aluminium looks set to increase its market share in the domestic sector. CAB for its part has recently launched a major initiative for 2017 in this sector with an exciting partnership with The FIT Show (see page 15). One key focus during the year has been to create maximum ‘takeaway’ content for members from our extensive and varied Members’ meetings, conferences, seminars and training days which have been hosted in Basildon, Birmingham, Leicester, London, Loughborough, Sheffield and Weybridge. Our 150m2 CAB Aluminium Pavilion at Ecobuild attracted a record 7 member stands and was our largest ever stand which provided an excellent platform to communicate core aluminium sustainability messages to the widest possible audience that included specifiers, architects and main contractors. We have continued to develop our Contractual Awareness Seminars with a virtual 100% attendance rate at three regional seminars proving both their popularity and perceived added value. In addition to our ‘Aluminium in Building Conference’ presenters, we also welcomed leading speakers on market/economic statistics, Health & Safety, social media, fabricator/installer training and NVQ’s, exhibitions, commercial photography and marketing strategies for construction. The Association used a range of media to raise members’ profile during the year including Twitter, the monthly Aluminium in Architecture ezine, project case studies on the CAB website and membership lists which featured monthly in The Fabricator and quarterly in Glass News. In 2017 the CAB Team is committed to deliver ever higher levels of technical and marketing support and, as your President has noted, develop new value propositions to enhance your package of membership benefits. We thank all our members for their ongoing support.
CAB Staff - as at 1 December 2016 Mr J Ratcliffe - Chief Executive Dr J Furness - Technical Director Mr M Ford - Technical Support Officer Mrs J Harley - Office & Events Manager
Technical Director’s Report Justin Furness
08 | CAB
D
uring 2016 CAB’s technical activities have continued to focus on defending and promoting the use of aluminium in building. The challenges we face as a sector increase, particularly as we enter a new age of opportunities and threats in a changed political and economic landscape. We remain committed to European standards but what about European regulations in the light of the referendum vote in June? Maintaining our focus will be critical in the coming months. The Technical Committee is at the centre of our operations and we are very grateful for the ongoing support of CAB members in helping to direct this vital forum. Regular feedback tells us that members continue to find the monthly Insight newsletter useful as well as our other publications. In 2016, we published “Five steps to CE marking”, which is aimed at dispelling any myths that CE marking a window is complicated or confusing. Our portfolio of Guidance Notes continues to grow, with the following titles added in 2016: AD Q FAQs, Changes to PAS 24 and CE marking fire doors. Our Aluminium in Building Conference programme in 2016 was well received, covering a number of highly relevant topics. This is reported on in more detail on page 12. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind members that we are here to respond to your technical enquiries. We continuously look at ways to improve our service to members and the enquiries we receive help to inform our other activities. In 2016, over one third of the enquiries received were directly related to standards and, in part to address this, we launched the Standards Watch Service this year, whereby we can keep individual members updated on the specific standards that are important to their day-to-day business. Our involvement in standards committees continues and we have been directly involved in the development of European product standards, such as EN 14351-1, and National standards, including BS 4873 and PAS 24. Work is ongoing in the areas of Product Category Rules for producing Environmental Product Declarations for windows and doors, as well as bonded glazing and possible new standards for handrail and balustrade kits. European product standards are becoming an important element in Building Information Modelling by defining the characteristics that should be included in Product Data Templates (PDT). If 2016 was the year of the BIM Level 2 Mandate then 2017 will be the year of the PDT and we are involved in the development of the new LEXiCON tool for PDT production and in establishing a new “Relevant Authority” that will take ownership of the PDT process for fenestration products. It is good to see the growth in the membership of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), with 35 members currently including CAB. We continue to work with ASI to ensure that the standards in development, such as the ASI Chain of Custody Standard, will help our sector to demonstrate responsible sourcing of aluminium and are aligned to existing standards including BES 6001, which is also starting to gain traction in our sector. Whatever the political and economic environment I am sure that our collective actions with like-minded national associations at both European and International levels will also directly help our members, as we continuously promote and defend your interests.
Members’ Meeting Athena, Leicester 25 February 2016 T
he first Regional Members’ event of the year at Athena, Leicester, a restored 1930’s Art Deco cinema, attracted over 140 members and guests. The speaker topics covered Contractual Awareness, Health & Safety and Commercial Glazing Market Research. Geraldine Fleming, Executive Director, Knowles highlighted the 100% attendance at the ‘20 Contractual Nightmares’ seminar earlier in the day. What had been very noticeable was the diverse range of member company staff who had attended including QS’s, Project Management teams, Accounts personnel and Estimators. A number of senior Directors and MD’s had also attended. The broad range of seminar topics for the remainder of 2016 was to include Credit Management, JCT Contracts and Pre and Post Contractual Awareness.
Regional Members’ Meeting Dinner
Kevin Smyth, Project Management presented ‘Health & Safety risk mitigation through knowledge’. He immediately highlighted the £20bn lost to employers due to accidents in the UK in 2012. Kevin considered the criminal and legal framework for Health & Safety, noting the differences in the terms ‘Responsibility’ and ‘Accountability’. He overviewed the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 and also the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 2009. Finally Kevin focused on The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 that came into force on 6 April 2015, replacing CDM 2007. It describes the law that applies to all construction projects, from concept to completion and what each duty holder must or should do to comply with the law. Finally, Robert Palmer, Palmer Market Research discussed the findings in his latest Commercial Glazing Market Report 2015. He showed that aluminium’s market share increased to 81% between 2012 and 2014, forecasting that the commercial aluminium window market would reach an all-time high in 2019 of 1.74m frames, with the metal currently by far the dominant material.
10 | CAB
From left to right: Robert Palmar - Palmer Market Research Julie Harley - CAB Office & Events Manager Justin Ratcliffe - CAB Chief Executive Geraldine Fleming - Executive Director, Knowles Kevin Smyth - Project Management Martin Ford - CAB Technical Support Officer
‘Palmer Market Research Commercial Glazing Market Report 2015 claims that aluminium’s market share increased to 81% between 2012 and 2014’. Robert Palmer
CAB Aluminium in Building Conference 2016
Over 100 CAB members and guests enjoyed a full day of presentations and discussions at the CAB Aluminium in Building Conference 2016 ‘Pushing the Envelope’ at Loughborough University. The opening keynote address was delivered by Neesha Gopal, Meinhardt (UK). Neesha was invited by CAB to present her view of the opportunities and threats facing the aluminium in building sector. With the aid of several case studies, from both residential and commercial sectors, the current landscape in modern facade design was explored. Neesha challenged the sector to be able to take large scale facades to Passive House standards. The thermal theme was picked up by Ant Wilson, AECOM. Ant explained how England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by changing their building regulations, highlighting that in order to meet current requirements the building specification as a whole needs to be considerably better than a combination of the stated individual component limiting values. Ant chaired a CAB Members’ Symposium with four speakers tackling energy efficiency of facades from a component-by-component perspective: Andrew Brook, Guardian Industries (UK), explained how glass, and coated glass in particular, contributes to the energy balance in buildings; Karl-Theo Roes, Swisspacer, clarified the role of high performance spacers in energy efficient facades; solar shading and its influence on indoor climate and energy consumption was presented by Mike Reeves, Renson Fabrications; and Richard Willetts, tremco illbruck, considered the importance of airtightness.
Speaker line-up 2016
Russ Timpson, Horizonscan and the Tall Buildings Fire Safety Network, started the fire performance session with a sobering presentation, using a number of case studies from around the world. The pressure on cities is increasing and tall buildings are often seen as the solution. Russ highlighted how issues of value engineering, poor workmanship, inappropriate retrofitting, changing occupancy, hoarding and anti-social behaviors are all creating a huge challenge in tall buildings in relation to fire safety. Steve Evans, Building Control Alliance (BCA) and NHBC, outlined the routes to compliance with respect to the fire performance of facades, starting with the Building Regulations and the development of BCA understanding. BCA Guidance Note 18 sets out four options for cladding materials on buildings exceeding 18m in height and this is increasingly being adopted as best practice. The coating performance session was focused on chrome (VI) free coatings. Mo Panam, Barley Chalu and President of Qualicoat and CAB chaired the session, which started with Martin Ings, Chemetall, presenting on the implications for the supply chain resulting from the move to chrome (VI) free coatings. Martin provided a comparison of the alternatives to chrome (VI), including pre-anodization and the relevant approvals that already apply. Russell Deane, AkzoNobel Powder Coatings, then discussed the risks of chrome (VI) free coatings and how to overcome them. With the help of case studies from the Brighton seafront, Russell clearly demonstrated that chrome pre-treatment is not always better than chrome-free, and vice versa. For any coating, the key to durability is good preparation and good pre-treatment: this was the important message for specifiers and the supply chain. The conference concluded with a view of standards and regulations relevant to the aluminium in building sector from European and UK perspectives. Pavlos Vatavalis, European Aluminium, discussed with Justin Furness, CAB, three important product standards and energy regulations, picking up on the earlier themes of the day.
12 | CAB
CAB
NEWS 1
CAB at Mercedes Benz World Over 120 CAB members and their guests attended the Regional Meeting at Mercedes Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey. Presentations were by: Prof. Noble Francis, Economics Director, Construction Products Association and Tony Blake, Assessor and Internal Verifier, Total Support Training.
Members networking at Mercedes Benz World in October 2016
Record support for CAB Pavilion 2016 The 150m2 CAB Pavilion at Ecobuild 2016 attracted a record 7 member stands. Over one third of members visited the stand at ExCel, Docklands. Overall there were over 33,000 visitors to the exhibition including the UK’s top architectural practices, contractors and housebuilders.
A busy CAB Aluminium Pavilion at Ecobuild 2016
State of Market Confidence T
he latest CAB State of the Market figures for Q3, 2016 (left) highlighted that CAB members anticipated strong growth in sales over the next 12 months with the caveat of rising unit costs. With the wider construction sector showing growth for the 14th consecutive quarter, CAB members’ expectations for the next quarter recovered considerably. 53% net balance anticipated an increase in sales over the next quarter (45% for construction products) while a massive 80% net balance anticipated a rise in the next 12 months (38% for construction products) – the highest confidence level since Q2, 2015. Despite specialist Contractors, SME builders and Civil Engineering firms also reporting growth in Q3, balances across the construction sector overall were weaker than reported a quarter earlier. The Construction Products Association highlighted that Main Contractors’ order books were lower in every sector except private housing during the quarter. There had been upward pressure on wages and salaries (reported by 75% net balance of CAB members in Q3) in evidence since the beginning of 2014. The 15.6% year on year depreciation in the Sterling/Euro exchange rate during Q3 appeared to have added further to the inflationary pressures in the supply chain by raising the price of imported raw materials. 88% net balance of CAB members saw an increase in Q3. Unsurprisingly, 100% net balance of members also forecasted rising unit costs in the year ahead. Despite the excellent optimism over sales, insufficient demand was ranked by 69% net balance of CAB members as the most likely constraint on activity over the coming 12 months, but labour availability (13%), no constraints (13%) and raw material prices (6%) were also cited. Capital investment was again one of the key priorities. Encouragingly, members forecasted increasing or matching capital investment in all metrics (except product improvement) for the year ahead with plant & equipment (47% net balance of members) being the main focus. Other key areas were e-business (31%) followed by customer research (24%) and R & D (24%).
14 | CAB
CAB
NEWS 2
CAB Contractual Awareness There was a near 100% attendance at our three contractual awareness seminars presented by Geraldine Fleming, Executive Director, Knowles (pictured right) in Basildon, Birmingham and Sheffield. 20 Top Contractual Nightmares and Pre & Post Contractual Awareness featured a number of topics such as: Tender issues; Liquidated damages; Defects; Variations and Payments; Damage; Collateral warranties; Claims and Insolvency. The seminars have been able to resolve a number of member queries, suggest new and improved internal processes and highlight best practice.
CAB Go Large for FIT CAB has launched the largest ever Aluminium Pavilion in partnership with The FIT Show 2017. The domestic and home improvement exhibition which expects over 10,000 visitors will take place at the NEC and around 15 CAB members are expected to exhibit on the stand. CAB was attracted to the show due to the surge in interest amongst homeowners in aluminium bi-folding and sliding doors. This has highlighted just how much the aluminium fenestration sector has innovated through investment in customer research, R & D and product improvement in recent years.
Membership Benefits Key Membership Benefits 2017 The Council for Aluminium in Building is recognised as a powerful voice for the sector. Its aim is to support the interests of the architectural aluminium industry by encouraging the increasing use of aluminium products in architecture and in the construction industry as a whole. The key benefits of joining are:
Technical Advice and Guidance • • • • • • •
CAB Technical Director and Technical Support Officer, with a wide range of contacts, provide ‘independent’ expert advice and comment on regulations, standards and best practice Access to CAB online Technical library (e.g. CAB Guidance Notes) Access to CAB Technical Committee and Sub-Committee meetings The opportunity to influence future Regulations & Standards through representation on the CAB Technical Committee CAB ‘Standards Watch’ service to track standards of interest to members Major annual ‘Aluminium in Building’ technical conference Representation on European Technical Committees
Marketing Opportunities/ Member Promotion • • • • • • • • •
Use of the CAB logo which is widely used across the aluminium in building supply chain on literature, stationery and vehicle livery Prestigious aluminium engraved logo plaque Exclusive member page on CAB website www.c-a-b.org.uk/members Member details listed monthly in The Fabricator magazine Promotion of Member Projects www.c-a-b.org.uk/aluminiumprojects Sector ezine www.aluminiuminarchitecture.co.uk distributed monthly with CAB logo identifying every piece of member PR Two Regional Marketing Forum events per annum RIBA fully approved CPD that is an excellent training tool for new staff as well as gaining the attention of Architects and Specifiers CAB Aluminium Pavilion at FIT Show 2017 promoting all CAB members
Market Research and Intelligence • •
16 | CAB
Trends, briefings and surveys from the leading industry associations including Construction Products Association Exclusive CAB State of the Market Reports (quarterly) and analysis
Member Communication • • •
Monthly updates on relevant technical topics in the ‘INSIGHT’ Newsletter Specialised technical publications Regular updates at Regional Members’ Meetings and ad hoc seminars and conferences
Member Business and Training support •
• • •
Two Regional Members’ meetings per annum with high quality, specialist speakers from the sector (optional chargeable dinner afterwards) and excellent networking opportunities Annual series of up to three specialist Contractual Awareness Seminars, presented by Knowles (up to two places per Member Company per seminar). Ongoing ad hoc sector training opportunities Access to a Peninsula helpline for initial advice on HR and Health & Safety matters
Sector Representation • • • • •
A powerful voice on standards and regulations issues Membership of the Construction Products Association Promotion of the aluminium in building sector through extensive column features Secretariat of FAECF (Federation of Curtain Walling Manufacturers’ Associations) Board Directorships at GQA and FENSA
Major CAB Events Programme 2017 16 March
Regional Members’ meeting Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester
23 - 25 May
CAB Pavilion at The FIT Show NEC, Birmingham
29 June
CAB AGM & Annual Dinner Forest of Arden Hotel, Warwickshire
Autumn
Aluminium in Building Conference, venue tbc
16 November Regional Members’ meeting Library of Birmingham
Membership Architectural Metalwork Contour Casings dani alu UK
Consultants
a2n Management Exova (UK) NET Project Management & Consultancy Placing Leaders VINCI Technology Centre UK Wintech Engineering
Fabricators
Albann Alchemy Architectural Aluminium Systems Alimatic Architectural Aluminium Systems Alumet Aluminium Bending Specialists Amberley Doors & Windows APiC UK Arkay Windows AWS Turner Fain Ayrshire Shopfronts Ayton & McKeown Barnshaws Aluminium Bending CDW Systems Clearway Doors & Windows DML Architectural Systems Dortech Architectural Systems Drayton Windows Dutemänn UK Efaflex UK Emperor Shopfitters Euro Signs & Graphics Everglade Windows Fineline Aluminium Granada Secondary Glazing HansenFacades Howells Patent Glazing HW Architectural IDF Aluminium MB Glass Supplies Metalline (Services) NorDan Aluminium Norwich Aluminium Openwood Facades Panel Systems Paul Evans Architectural Prater Ridgeway Glazing The Standard Patent Glazing Company
18 | CAB
Fabricators (cont)
The Window Glass Company (Bristol) Total Aluminium Systems Unique Window Systems Vulcan Aluminium Warwick Glass & Glazing
Finishing
AkzoNobel Powder Coatings Axalta Powder Coating Systems UK Barley Chalu Birmingham Powder Coatings Chemetall Powdertech (Corby) Superior Paint & Powder Coating United Anodisers Valspar Powder Coatings Vertik-Al
Glazing Products
AGC Glass UK Float Glass Industries Guardian Industries UK Pilkington UK SWISSPACER
Hardware
Adams Rite Europe Alpro Architectural Hardware ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems Aumüller UK Axim Architectural Hardware Caldwell Hardware (UK) Carl F Groupco Centor Europe CiiLOCK Engineering dorma+kaba Dyer Environmental Controls GEZE UK High Performance Door Solutions L J Pratley & Partners Roto Roof Windows and Hardware Savio SE Controls Securistyle SFS intec Siegenia STAC Titon Hardware WindowMaster Control Systems Winkhaus (UK)
Machinery Suppliers Elumatec UK Emmegi (UK)
Repair and Maintenance
Commercial Windows & Doors
Roofing Components Dales Fabrications Guttercrest
Shading Devices
AW Louvers & Ventilation Renson Fabrications
Software Design & Supply BM Aluminium Soft Tech
Systems Design & Supply
AluK (GB) Aluprof UK Architectural & Metal Systems Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems Exlabesa HUECK UK iKON Aluminium Systems Jack Aluminium Systems Kawneer UK Metal Technology RAICO UK Reynaers Sapa Building Systems Schueco UK Senior Architectural Systems Smart Architectural Aluminium Technal
Thermal Barrier Products Ensinger Building Products Technoform BAUTEC Watkiss Thermalbreak
Weatherproofing
Adshead Ratcliffe & Co Reddiplex SealEco Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands Tremco illbruck
Industry Bodies CAB is a member of the following industry bodies:
CAB also works closely with these organisations:
Council for Aluminium in Building Bank House Bond’s Mill Stonehouse Gloucestershire GL10 3RF
CAB
Council for Aluminium in Building
design by a2n
telephone: 01453 828851 fax: 01453 828861 email: enquiries@c-a-b.org.uk website: www.c-a-b.org.uk