"sales"

In completing the £21M Park Hill Flats restoration project on a Sheffield housing development Kier Construction and architects Whittam Cox specified 4000m2 of high-quality vinyl flooring from international flooring specialist Gerflor.The project would provide a showcase for two of Gerflor’s signature flooring products -the Taralay Impression Compact heterogenous collection and their slip resistant Tarasafe Standard safety range. Both these innovations would prove to be the ideal solution for Beton House which is the third phase of the Park Hill Flats estate.In choosing both Taralay Impression Compact and Tarasafe Standard from Gerflor the rigorous specification standards set by Whittam Cox and Kier Construction would easily be met.Andy Gordon, Gerflor Area Sales Manager, Northeast commented, “We collaborated with the architects Whittam Cox in the first instance and wrote a specification which included three thousand square metres of our Taralay Impression Compact flooring for the communal areas and one thousand square metres of our slip resistant Tarasafe Standard for the student bathroom areas. The client is absolutely delighted with the final outcome of the Gerflor flooring, and we understand the flooring is performing exceedingly well and meeting all the clients’ expectations.”

Client: BOC Car CentreLocation: Bolton, EnglandYear: 2022Project size: 1720 m²Vebro systems: vebroscreed Industrial , vebrores EP HBC, vebrores EP SCSubstrate repair and a level, durable, safe floor finish was required to replace the previously installed tiles at BOC Car Centre, a car showroom in Bolton, England.Long established in the Bolton area having opened in 1973, BOC Car Centre aims to provide a pleasant, welcoming environment for its customers and has built a positive, trusted reputation in its 50 years of trading.Jawed Patel of BOC Car Centre said of the project: “I am really pleased with Vebro Polymers… The coatings have really set our showroom floor off and look amazing!”The showroom, which is situated alongside a number of other dealerships, has approximately 200 used cars for sale at any one time, arranged over a ground floor and raised mezzanine level.With daily wheeled traffic from the movement of its fleet of vehicles, as well as sustained foot traffic from its large customer base, the ground floor and mezzanine at BOC Car Centre required a safe, hard wearing solution.vebroscreed Industrial, vebrores EP SC and vebrores EP HBC have been chosen to transform the floor at BOC Car Centre, Bolton, delivering a level, safe and durable surface underfoot.Prior to the installation of Vebro Polymers flooring materials, the concrete substrate on the showroom’s ground floor had been levelled using a calcium sulphate screed, which are known for their extended drying times and higher moisture content.In order to allow the screed to breathe, vebroscreed EP SC was chosen to overcoat this area.The mezzanine area was transformed as part of the second phase, beginning with mechanical preparation of the substrate, followed by Vebro Polymers’ vebroscreed Industrial and vebrores EP HBC.Bitumen residue was removed from the substrate, before epoxy primer and sand scatter was applied to act as a scratch coat. vebroscreed Industrial was then installed at 7.0 mm across the ground floor of the facility, to level the surface prior to the installation of Vebro Polymers resin coating materials.vebroscreed Industrial is a deep-fill, rapid-setting and hardening, high strength cementitious smoothing underlayment screed that can be overcoated with resin in as little as 24 hours between 5.0 and 15.0 mm.After a coat of vebro EP Sealer (Matt), acting as a primer, vebrores EP HBC was applied across the lower floor in a combination of RAL 7035 Light Grey and RAL 7037 Dusty Grey, with the darker shade applied as car bays to provide a simple, yet effective backdrop for the vehicles for sale.The two-coat, high build epoxy system provides a durable and resistant finish underfoot, ideal for a car showroom where there is consistent wheeled traffic.

Continuing with the roll-out of cycle parking infrastructure to NHS trusts across the UK, two hospitals for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation have taken delivery of a bespoke Falco cycle hub this month, complete with everything a cyclist may need in order to visit each hospital by bike.Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, both located in the City of Bradford region, received a bespoke version of the FalcoHub cycle hub, each equipped with FalcoLevel-Eco two-tier cycle racks, a cycle pump and repair stand, eBike battery charging lockers and bespoke NHS vinyl branding graphics.Falco supplied and installed a 6m x 4.5m FalcoHub complete with two-tier cycle racks to accommodate 30 bikes with two cycle repair stands for Bradford Royal Infirmary and a 4.5m x 4.5m FalcoHub complete with two-tier cycle racks to accommodate 20 bikes and one cycle repair stand for St Luke’s Hospital.Both cycle hubs are clad in toughened safety glass with bespoke NHS branding graphics chosen by the client and the galvanised steel framework has been powder coated in an attractive ‘purple violet’ RAL colour. Each cycle repair stand is equipped with a cycle pump and a number of convenient tools in order to carry out basic cycle maintenance whilst on the go.A FalcoCharge e-Bike charging tower has been supplied at each cycle hub, providing a safe and secure compartment for the storage and charging of up to eight eBike batteries. Each locker is equipped with a 230v socket, designed to fit standard batteries including chargers. An autonomous battery powered digital pincode lock is supplied with each locker to deter theft, without the need to provide individual keys.The images attached show the two new cycle hub installations, one located within the staff car park, outside Chestnut House at Bradford Royal Infirmary and the other located in the staff car park outside the Horton Wing building at St Luke’s Hospital.Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital are only two of numerous NHS hospitals Falco has provided cycle parking infrastructure to this year alone. Other recent examples include cycle parking infrastructure for Basildon and Southend University Hospital, a bespoke cycle hub for Ninewells Hospital and Medical School in Dundee, a trio of cycle hubs for NHS Grampian hospitals in Aberdeen, FalcoCrea cycle lockers for NHS Forth Valley in Falkirk, two cycle stores for NHS Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, cycle racks for Royal Berkshire NHS hospital in Reading and a flagship FalcoHub for Newham University Hospital in London.For more information about the scheme here at Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, or how Falco can assist your cycle parking project, please contact our helpful sales team at sales@falco.co.uk.

The ChallengeThe former Gourock Ropeworks building on the banks of the River Clyde had been refurbished back in 2006. As part of a multi-million-pound regeneration from the Scottish government, Forterra supplied 170,000 bricks to the site adjacent to the Ropeworks for 41 new social homes.The design of the four-storey blocks of residential apartments was to tie in with the original design of the former Gourock Ropeworks.The SolutionForterra’s Farmstead Antique brick type was put forward for the build owing to its highly textured face and warm appearance, which sat well with the tone and texture of brickwork in the surrounding properties.The BenefitsSteve Nicolson, Area Sales Manager for Forterra, said, “The Farmstead Antique was a good match to the local vernacular, and is also pretty hard-wearing, which made it very suitable for this location on the banks of one of the longest rivers in Scotland, as it will need to withstand the elements.”Adelle Jess, Project Architect for JM Architecture, said, “Due to the site being located within the historic curtilage of a listed building, the development needed to provide a strong frontage to Bay Street with fenestration, proportion and material finishes relative to the context in which it sits.”“Forterra Farmstead Antique was selected as the main finish to the buildings so as to tie in with the existing surroundings and contribute to the overall design concept of a modern interpretation of the site’s industrial past.”

Over 360m2 of Attraction® interlocking tiles have been installed in the main assembly hall at Mary Immaculate High School, Wales. Delivering an outcome that would be both visually stunning and practical for this extremely busy school was a challenge well-met by Cardiff-based Trefoil Interiors, who turned to international flooring specialist Gerflor. Peter Incledon, Senior Estimator at Trefoil Interiors commented,” We chose Gerflor’s Attraction flooring tiles as it can be easily overlayed on a Granwood composite floor. After speaking with our Gerflor representative we were confident in the Attraction product, as it has been successfully installed in several other locations where an existing Granwood floor required a fast-track covering solution.” Tony Thorne, Sales & Specification Manager, Gerflor commented, “I am absolutely delighted to have worked on this project alongside Trefoil Interiors. This project has been a great success for such a prestigious educational facility”. Peter Incledon also added, “we always recommend Gerflor flooring whenever we can, we trust their tried and tested solutions for all markets.” Gerflor's Attraction® range is a perfect solution for renovation, it is a fast track loose lay vinyl tile with interlocking edges which allows for rapid installation and replacement.

St Michael’s Catholic Church is a mid 19th Century church in Brecon, Powys. It is one of the most historic churches in Diocese of Menevia.Bryan Roe, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, was contacted by the decorator, Mike Curry of Phillips & Curry to visit the Grade II listed church.The architect, Bonnie Kitching of Hummingbird Architecture Limited and Mike Curry had used KEIM previously on other projects and were delighted with the results. Bonnie, in particular, was looking for a paint system that offered breathability so specified KEIM on this project.There were a multitude of coats of various paint systems, including limewash, covering the lime plaster and concrete surfaces.KEIM recommended removing all existing coatings, as there was moisture entrapment, to obtain breathability of the KEIM products. Once all surfaces were dry and moisture readings were below 18%, KEIM Granital Dilution was used to treat the areas of lime which were chalky and powdery.KEIM Dolomitspachtel, a mineral filler, was then applied as a skim coat on some areas to equalise textural difference on the surface and defects.KEIM Optil White was the required system due to its endless benefits, including breathability, durability and longevity. The white makes the interior church look pristine and will continue to do so for many years to come.

When renowned house-builders, McAllister Developments were tasked with delivering a distinctive and upmarket detached residential scheme at Moneymore, they turned to AG.Working closely with the experienced team at McAllister we were able to provide a range of brick, paving and retaining walling products in a variety of complementary colour blends to help create a truly standout residential development.The highly-regarded Heritage facing brick was selected due to its hand-crafted aesthetic appeal and its renowned durability. The retaining wall used was Anchor® Diamond®, with caps, as it allows for fast installation and it blends in perfectly with the surrounding garden.The Long Stone Fiammata is AG’s newest range of premium, porcelain-effect plank paving and was chosen for its unique minimalist design style and ease of maintenance. Finally, for the paving AG favoured the Rosemount flag for its extreme strength and low slip potential.David Speirs, Head of Specification and Commercial Sales believes they met all the project criteria:“Using our vast experience and range of products for use within the residential market we were able to provide perfect colour blends and styles that complemented each other to help the developer achieve the goal of building an upmarket detached residential site.”

Alicante Port, the well renowned commercial and cruise ship terminal has been upgraded to benefit from a Gatic Slotdrain high-capacity surface water drainage system.Slotdrain UltraSlot was specified during the re-conditioning of Dock 19 to increase capacity from 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 463,000 TEU.“UltraSlot was chosen by specifier SETI, SA, who are well established within the ports sector and who have worked with Gatic products for many years,” said International Sales Manager – Luis Triguero “The engineer in charge was familiar with the mechanical and hydraulic advantages of UltraSlot and requested a competitive price for the project. As Gatic is so well established in the Spanish market, we could exceed their expectations.”UltraSlot is used in external concrete areas which are subject to constant traffic, such as airports and ports. This high-capacity system is designed to ensure sufficient depth of concrete cover over the main body of the channel to withstand ultra-heavy-duty loads of up to F900 - 90 tonnes.“The biggest challenge we faced was ensuring the system could withstand the consistent, heavy traffic that will always be moving throughout the port,” continues Luis. “However, thanks to its capacity to bear heavy loads, UltraSlot proved to be one of the best drainage options on the market.”

Harmer Building Drainage, part of Alumasc Water Management Systems (AWMS), has recently supplied its leading SML below ground drainage system to a major London development. The project, sited at The Minories, Aldgate, sees the introduction of the first Canopy by Hilton hotel in the UK which is scheduled to open in 2018. Working with contractors PCW Drainage Ltd and A J Morrisroe, Harmer supplied below ground drainage for the hotel’s new double storey basement box.The Minories Hilton hotel is a prestigious development, close to London’s historic Roman and medieval city walls and a short walk from the East End. Wayne Wilmot, National Sales Manager for Harmer Drainage comments: “It’s an unusual site. The contractor, A J Morrisroe, constructed a double storey basement box and podium slab to support a 16 storey residential block and a 14 storey hotel extension. It covers a footprint of around 3,500 metres across a narrow site. There were multiple levels of earlier construction to work through, including foundations and piles that date back to the 19th century. And because it’s close to the East End, The Museum of London and 1st Line Defence got involved to establish if there were any WW2 unexploded bombs buried on the site! Definitely not a run-of-the-mill project!

IssueEstablished in 1916, Doylestown Country Club is a private country club located in Pennsylvania, USA. In addition to its reputation as one of the top golfing destinations in the state, the Doylestown Country Club’s culinary team strives to create memorable dining experiences for all members and guests. To achieve this goal, the country club has created a new space to elevate kitchen safety and ensure efficient back-of-house operations.ApproachDoylestown Country Club wanted a floor that would provide comfort for their staff, who spend prolonged periods on their feet. Other considerations including reducing noise transferrence in a busy commercial kitchen and having a floor that could be installed around the kitchen drains which required a watertight, seamless transition with the flooring.SolutionAfter consultation between the Altro sales and technical teams, together with the flooring installer and specifier, 350sqm of Altro Stronghold 30 was specified, keeping staff safe from slips and helping to reduce fatigue thanks to its 3mm thickness.Altro Stronghold 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance (PTV ≥55, R12) and is designed to minimise risk in wet and greasy conditions for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

This is the new buggy shelter manufactured, supplied and installed by Falco on a cold winter morning, as part of a new buggy park facility for visitors to the world's oldest scientific zoo!The simple and effective FalcoRoller is a purpose designed shelter to provide visitors to the zoo with secure accommodation for buggies, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The FalcoRoller has been installed within the ‘Monkey Valley’ themed area of the zoo and provides visitors with free accommodation for up to five buggies. The FalcoRoller, as shown here at the Zoological Society of London, is manufactured from 100% recyclable hot-dip galvanised steel and 100% recyclable polycarbonate plastic, the FalcoRoller is a sustainable purposely designed buggy shelter for storing pushchairs, buggies, prams or hospital wheelchairs.With the optional addition of powder coating in a choice of 192 different RAL colours, the FalcoRoller can be easily transformed into a vibrant, florescent shelter design ideal for any children’s environment.Derived as a smaller version of the stylish and popular FalcoSail canopy, at 3,750mm wide, the buggy shelter can accommodate up to five pushchairs.Falco provide a complete buggy shelter package including free AutoCAD design, rendering graphics and free UK-wide site surveys, manufacture, supply, the provision of groundworks and installation.For more information regarding the buggy shelter for London Zoo or any other product from our cycle parking and shelter portfolio, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

Slip-resistant steps for Villa ParkDegafloor were thrilled to be involved in the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s famous Villa Park football stadium. Slip-resistant steps were required for the Holte End of the stadium in addition to new facilities, including a new bar and suite complex.As part of the project, slip-resistant steps were required. The entire 600m² staircases were treated with Degafloor concrete crack seal, followed by a flexible waterproof membrane to deliver a impervious solution to protect the new bar and suite complex. The staircases were then finished with a bespoke Degafloor Quartz Trowelled with Aggregate System, finished in a unique Terracotta Quartz.To comply with current DDA legislation (Disability Discrimination Act) the stairs were finished with a separately formed nosing in White.Due to the tight project timescale and to overcome traditional British weather constraints, Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd recommended a range of fast curing Degafloor resin systems. As well as being fast curing, all Degafloor systems exhibit excellent UV resistance – essential for external environments – whilst the QTA system applied to the treads offers unrivalled slip resistance to ensure spectator safety, whatever the weather conditions.Speaking on behalf of Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd, Sales Director Dave Cope said, “This was a very complex and demanding project. The colours had to match perfectly and the hand formed nosings required a high level of skill and attention to detail”.

The London Borough of Sutton Council wanted to breathe new life into a number of communal areas in their large municipal office building. For this iconic refurbishment, they turned to international flooring and interiors specialist Gerflor to provide an array of spectacular world class flooring that would deliver outstanding durability and incredible eye-catching designs. Gerflor supplied over 2500m2 of Creation LVT and Gradus Lunar Carpet tiles for this major renovation.Commenting on the Sutton Civic Centre project Paul Sceats, Specification Sales Manager at Gerflor commented, “At the time the Gradus Lunar collection had recently been launched, it would be an ideal product to consider as the natural and neutral tones would blend extremely well alongside the authentic wood-effect planks of Gerflor’s Creation 70 LVT. The client Rob McNaught used these finishes to very cleverly “sculpt” a walkway through the main carpeted area of the reception.”In supplying a superior interiors finish, the Gerflor floorings for this distinguished project would be installed by South-East London- based Specialised Flooring (Bromley) Limited. Ian Hook, Company Director at Specialised Flooring said,” Our client is extremely delighted with the finished result. Specifying Gerflor products, is for us, a natural choice as they offer a vast range of flooring in a fantastic array of contemporary colours and designs, which are suitable for many demanding applications.”

This Grade II listed windmill in Blakesley was built in 1832 and bought by the current owners 25 years ago. Since then, they have been keeping up with the restoration of the property.The owners stayed in a lighthouse during a vacation and read up that KEIM had been used on lighthouses due to its hard wearing and durable formula. They specified KEIM to their decorator, who subsequently got in touch to arrange a site visit.Dave Smith, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, visited the property in May 2018. It had various different coatings applied over the years, including limewash, none of which were particularly successful and the most recent limewash was patchy. The owners were looking for a long lasting, durable but breathable coating.The building was sand blasted to remove the existing coatings and allow for KEIM Silan Primer to be applied to give protection against water ingress. An extra coat of KEIM Silan Primer was applied on the top third of the building as this area was most exposed.The KEIM Royalan system was applied as it withstands harsh weather conditions and is specified for exposed locations. Its advanced formulation makes it ideal for coating hard substrates such as brickwork. The owners commented “we are very happy with the level of service provided. Dave came out to visit us a few times and was extremely helpful, explaining what was required.”

When Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design new headquarters for the National Theatre of Scotland in Glasgow, an ingenious bit of reusing, repurposing and recycling took place. The new office space and social areas were fitted with a previously used Junckers sports floor, complete with the old line marking paint. Named Rockvilla, the new facility brings together departments previously spread across several sites - rehearsal rooms, a learning and community suite, wardrobe department, production workshop, technical store as well as office space and social areas. The building, housed in a redevelopment of a disused warehouse, retains an industrial aesthetic in a nod to the history of the site. The interior features a limited use of materials, of which the reclaimed Beech sports flooring becomes a focal point. For this project, Junckers SylvaSport Beech salvaged was installed. The worn look of the reused floor with its randomly placed line markings in various colours worked perfectly with the rest of the interior and the client decided to leave it as it was. As it’s made in solid hardwood, an old Junckers sports floor can also be sanded and refinished up to ten times without losing its good looks and performance. Reclaimed Junckers sports floors are not for sale through Junckers but can be sourced through our network of specialist Approved Contractors. Please contact us for further information. Photography: Gillian Hayes, Dapple Photography

Falkener House is a 17 storey, residential apartment block located near Coventry city centre. It was originally constructed in 1968 to provide council accommodation.New regulations stipulate that buildings of over 18 metres in height must be fire resistant and classify to A2-s1, d0. KEIM Paints are the only paint manufacturer, to date, that meet this classification.Leicester based Elhance Limited, who specialise in cladding and roofing installation and repair, contacted KEIM to provide a fire resistant paint coating. Bryan Roe, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, visited site and produced a comprehensive specification. His findings included moss and green growth over the previously painted concrete, particularly on the south elevation and corners. A power spray was recommended to thoroughly clean the surfaces as part of the pre-paint preparation.Upon cleaning, it was found that the previous paintwork was in good condition. KEIM Soldalit-ME was specified due to its A2-s1, d0 fire classification. Soldalit-ME is a durable exterior paint that has the added benefit of breaking down organic material and contaminants, which will keep the surfaces cleaners for longer.The facades will not require decoration for another 10-15 years, if not more.A further two tower blocks, also situated in Coventry, have been commissioned to be painted using KEIM Soldalit-ME again due to its fire resistant and durable benefits

Canal Architectural were approached to design, manufacture and install luxury feature staircases, balustrades and screens for a commercial space in Bond Street. A leading commercial design company collaborated with the Technical Sales Team to engineer bespoke architectural metalwork for this world class project.The 14,500 sq ft of commercial space in the heart of London was developed to connect its employees and working spaces together over 10 floors. The Zig Zag profile staircase structure and flat bar balustrade featured hidden structural steelwork supports with a site applied bronze effect paint finish. The fully cantilevered stair structure spanned over 6 floors and featured flat bar balustrades and underside soffit panels, all site sprayed in a contemporary bronze effect finish. Another staircase structure spanned over 2 floors and featured hidden structural steelwork supports, wall panels and mild steel flat bar construction.Canal Architectural worked closely with the team to engineer various bespoke items for the development including bespoke planters, balustrades and screens. The entire development was transformed into a contemporary co-working space for the specialist real estate firm.The Canal site team worked closely with the contractor throughout the entire installation process to ensure smooth delivery in line with current building regulations. Canal Architectural are proud to have worked on this extensive redevelopment programme to engineer exquisite architectural metalwork designs for this landmark commercial space.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales is an extraordinary venue designed for world class conventions, events and meetings.The result of a joint venture between the Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, renowned construction company, John Sisk & Son, was the main contractor on this 3500m2 project which also included a permeable and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).AG’s premium granite block paving TerraPave® was the obvious paving choice for the convention centre as it offers a beautiful finish to complement a contemporary design. Additionally, it is a cost-effective, practical alternative to traditional stone paving. TerraKerb® also played its part in this high-profile hard landscaping project, adding a premium appearance to the ICC surrounding. With its widely recognised durability and weather resistance, it is now well established as a market-leading option.Tim Cave, Regional Sales Manager at AG, said:“A key challenge faced by AG was to create a high-quality permeable paving system for a large roof deck, capable of withstanding continuous heavy traffic. Our Xflo® Plaza was the perfect choice. AG’s Plaza block paviour is made using the most modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring it will stand the test of time and retain its high-quality aesthetics, whilst effectively managing the movement of water through the SuDS system. This is a pioneering but proven way of mimicking the natural movement of storm water and replacing conventional storm water drainage systems.”

AG was delighted to continue our partnership with Braidwater Homes at one of the house builder’s most prestigious private housing development, Castlehill, located just off the Ballygowan Road in Belfast.Braidwater Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Boyle said:“AG’s paving and walling products which are aesthetically pleasing, tie in totally with Braidwater’s ‘living the dream’ aspirations. For the Castlehill development we had a number of requirements, which included ensuring that the landscaping tied in with the modern feel of this high-end development.” To this end, we utilised AG’s Vertica® and Diamond® retaining walls, where appropriate, together with AG’s River Stone 3’s set pavers in contrasting tones.”AG’s Regional Sales Manager, Barry Scott commented:“We have a really good relationship with the Braidwater Group and are currently involved in a number of their sites across Northern Ireland. The Castlehill contract was an important one for us and we have worked hard to ensure we live up to their high standards. As part of our commitment to Braidwater I personally make visits to their sites to ensure their team always have the products they need. Our personal service supported by speed and ease of delivery is something they appreciate. They also like the fact that by utilising our Anchor® Diamond® mortarless/pin-less segmental retaining wall system their team can work on in wet weather with no breaks in construction.”

HALO is an imaginative, innovative and inspirational regeneration initiative to revitalise Urban Cities and Towns of the UK.A first for Scotland is HALO Kilmarnock at the heart of Kilmarnock town center. The HALO project will support the growth and resilience of the Ayrshire economy. HALO will create a dynamic commercial, educational, cultural, leisure and lifestyle quarter of the town, fueled by renewable energy, where people can live, work, learn and play.This multi-faceted regeneration of a 28-acre site, was supplied over £80,000 worth of AG Plaza Paving, TerraKerb® and TerraPave® Step Units to complement the stunning architectural work of the modern building and surrounding areas.David McCandlish Regional Sales Manager at AG stated: ‘This was a major win for AG. We supplied a range of hard landscaping products around the new project. Our Plaza premium granite paving, TerraKerb and TerraPave step units provided the perfect combination of durable paving and modern sleek design for this stunning project.’The focal point of HALO will be an Enterprise and Innovation Hub being created to stimulate digital learning, inspire innovative thinking and provide a conducive environment for spin-out, new-start, scale-ups, digital, manufacturing and cyber businesses.The completed HALO will feature a new Urban Park, surrounded by entrepreneurial businesses in computer technology, cyber research, engineering, fashion, financial services and light manufacturing.

Amazon has invested heavily in its UK operations in recent years and more recently with the accelerated growth of online shopping, significantly increasing its number of warehouses across the UK. One such distribution centre is in Kingsnorth, Kent. This 34,000 square metre warehouse opened in 2018 and has benefitted from the installation of a Gatic Slotdrain CastSlot system.With its high-capacity surface water intake and high-performance loading capabilities, the CastSlot system from the Gatic Slotdrain range is specifically designed to bear load ratings of up to F900, which amounts to 90 tonnes – making it the ideal product for major distribution centres such as this. In an area where unremitting, slow turning HGV traffic is a major consideration, Gatic’s CastSlot drainage system provides reliable water management.“Gatic CastSlot was specified by global professional services firm RPS, to provide high-capacity drainage that had a discreet finish, within the service yard and car park for the distribution centre,” said Zach Graham, Gatic Area Sales Manager for London and the South East. “They valued the design put forward to them and accepted to take away unnecessary costs to client and project without reducing performance of the system.”“In addition, RPS have used the Gatic range before and will look to use the system on a design whenever possible.”

A new distribution centre at Littlebrook Business Park features market leading Gatic CastSlot Littlebrook (Orbital 47) is home to several industrial companies which rely on the near constant movement of goods.“Our work involved the installation of Gatic Slotdrain in a distribution centre at Littlebrook,” said Zach Graham, Alumasc Area Sales Manager for London and the South East. “The distribution centre is in an ideal location due to the surrounding environment with easy access to the M25. Further to this, as the loading area was fairly small, it is put under a lot of pressure every day, with constantly turning vehicles. This meant that any surface water management product installed had to be guaranteed to withstand extremely heavy and frequent loads.”In an area where unremitting, slow turning traffic is a major consideration, Gatic CastSlot, from the Gatic Slotdrain range, was an obvious choice in providing a reliable water management system for this project. Gatic specialises in integrated, high capacity surface water management and Engineered Access Covers, its surface water drainage systems have been used to capture, control and return run-off into the natural water cycle, even in high pressure situations.Gatic Slotdrain’s reputation as a front runner for surface drainage systems in infrastructure hubs such as ports, airports and industrial units, made it first choice for this project, and ideal overall for sites such as Littlebrook.

A free, downloadable tool to help you plan and get the most out of your marketing activities on the journey to product specification.Plan your marketing with NBS To help you as construction product manufacturers plan your marketing activities and raise awareness of your products across the construction timeline; we've designed the Specification Marketing Cycle. Use this tool to help you visualise the specification process and assess what marketing tactics are best to use and where. The Specification Marketing Cycle shows the steps people go through when specifying products. We've designed it around the typical sales pipeline for manufacturers on the route to specification. Use the tool to help plan out marketing activities that deliver everything specifiers need to find, select, and specify your products.The cycle begins with creating awareness of your business and its products and ends with re-engaging specifiers for future projects. The cycle follows every step to take to get your products specified - and for them to then stay in the specification during the building phase.Use this free resource to understand a wide range of marketing tools and how you can use them most effectively to drive specifications through the design and construction process.Start building your marketing strategy and planning your marketing activity with the NBS Specification Marketing Cycle - download now by clicking the button below.

Quayside in Newcastle, renowned for its scenic views of the River Tyne, was identified by NE1 as a key area of focus in their plan to revitalise the city. The project sought to increase footfall, attract new businesses, and create a vibrant urban quarter with a distinct brand identity.A range of Loop Benches in a striking orange colour, complete with LED lighting was specified for the project. These benches provided functional seating and served as illuminated landmarks, enhancing the area's ambience during both day and night. The integrated lighting created a captivating visual effect, drawing attention and encouraging engagement. The vibrant orange hue was chosen to add a pop of colour to the pavilion area, creating a lively and welcoming space.Artform Urban Furniture worked closely with the client to determine the optimal placement of the Loop Benches, considering factors such as pedestrian flow, sightlines, and accessibility. The benches were securely anchored to the ground to withstand high winds and prevent theft or vandalism. The benches were constructed using durable materials to withstand outdoor conditions and were equipped with energy-efficient LED lighting to minimise environmental impact and maintenance costs.The project at Quayside in Newcastle showcases the successful integration of urban furniture with lighting elements in urban rejuvenation initiatives. The Quayside businesses have seen a boost in sales and NE1 continues to nurture the work done by hosting events that create a vibrant and inclusive hub for residents and visitors.

Conningbrook Lakes is a modern development of what will be over 300 new, state of the art homes, situated beside the beautiful lakes and rural scenery of Ashford, Kent.A timeless reimagining of the traditional Kentish village, a variety of homes to suit all tastes and lifestyles have been created using Alumasc Rainwater Infinity steel gutters and downpipes.Phil Lapping, Regional Sales Manager and Estimator at Gutterworks Limited, who supplied all rainwater management systems, said: “This beautiful new development deserves nothing less than the best.“Having been built to a high standard by Chartway Construction on behalf of Westerhill Homes and Latimer, it was specified that all water management was to maintain the overall look and feel of each property. On many of the houses there are modern stainless-steel balconies, therefore, to put plastic gutters and drainpipes on these houses, although functional, just wouldn’t look right.“Additionally, the environmental benefits of a steel system vastly outweigh that of a plastic system, which was an important factor in the decision-making process.”Alumasc Rainwater Infinity stainless steel gutters and drainpipes were the most natural choice.Finishing the houses to the best standard possible meant ensuring all accessories matched and upheld the high standards of Chartway Construction and Alumasc.Rainwater Infinity Steel was developed by Alumasc to offer a contemporary, eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to plastic gutters, that look sleek and have no risk of shrinking, leaking or colour fading.

The University of Edinburgh is the first UK University to install the advanced VelowUp® vertical cycle stands at its MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine department.The Institute, specialising in human molecular genetics and biology research, received a series of 63 of the advanced cycle parking systems enabling visitors and staff members to securely park a bike within the restricted space.The advanced VelowUp® vertical cycle stand was chosen to utilise the limited space available and provide a maximum number of cycle parking spaces which no other cycle rack was able to provide.In addition to the University of Edinburgh, Falco has recently installed another series of 15 VelowUp cycle stands for Valentines Park in the London Borough of Redbridge, allowing visitors of all ages to securely park a bike.VelowUp® Vertical Cycle RackThe VelowUp® is purposely designed to maximise the amount of cycle parking spaces in areas where space is at a premium. The system is designed to save up to 40% more space compared to any other conventional cycle rack or stand. The VelowUp® is easy to install, simple to operate and securely accommodates all types of bicycles.The VelowUp® product video shows this simple but effective cycle parking system in use.For more information about the smart VelowUp® cycle parking system, please contact our helpful sales team on 01538 380080.

The fourth and final phase of a major regeneration project in central Manchester’s Piccadilly Basin, Islington Wharf Phase 4 is an iconic residential development comprising two visually striking 11 and 16 storey buildings. Delivered by Waterside Places for developer, Latimer, they provide 106 contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments, of which 54 are available on a shared ownership basis, providing much needed affordable homes in the heart of the city’s vibrant waterfront area.Leviat’s expertise in providing solutions for similar buildings in the past, coupled with their previous working relationships with the project engineers and architects, and with brickwork contractor Cara Brickwork, meant they were chosen by stockist, SIG, to provide a complete package of support solutions to meet the special requirements of the project.Lengths of Leviat’s Ancon MDC masonry support system were then fabricated to suit the specific requirements, loadings and PT pocket implications of each individual location and supplied to SIG for just-in-time site delivery against the contractor’s predetermined build programme.The design of the MDC units offered a 20mm fixing tolerance, enabling contractors on site to accommodate most of the variances in PT pocket locations and unexpected rebar density. Leviat’s technical and sales specialists provided support throughout the project, however, and where problems were encountered, were able to supply replacement MDC sections quickly, to enable the project to progress without delays.

With the vision being to create one of the city’s most ‘instagrammable’ offices, fit out contractor Paramount needed every product specified for the refurbishment of Dock House to be aesthetically pleasing as well as highly practical. Zip’s HydroTap and InLine ranges met the brief for all of their water needs."We pride ourselves on making places where people want to be and that’s certainly the case with our new Bristol office. We wanted every detail to reflect our vision of creating a destination workplace and this included the water provision. Zip Water could provide world class products combined with the best service so we had no hesitation in specifying their products."Kevin Marshford, Sales Director | Paramount OfficeThe briefDock House, a three storey building in Bristol’s Welsh Back, was ripe for redevelopment. Paramount wanted to create a striking office space that was flexible enough for working, events and meetings. And, taking the ground floor as their new Bristol head office, Paramount had a vested interest in designing a modern and desirable workplace which was in-keeping with its historic location. In terms of water products, Paramount wanted energy efficient water heaters for washrooms which could reliably deliver hot water whenever required. With the building being used frequently but with a low intensity interspersed with short stints of high occupancy, it was important that the systems were as efficient as possible. In addition to washroom water heaters, Paramount wanted to offer staff and visitors a sociable tea point in the communal bar area. With aesthetics and sustainability so high on the priority list, a stylish drinking water product was needed that could provide filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water without the need for single-use plastic water bottles.The solutionThanks to an existing relationship with Paramount, Zip Water was specified to provide a number of products for this project. Washroom hot water was solved thanks to Zip’s InLine range, which discreetly provides instantaneous hot water whenever needed. Its innovative design heats water as it flows through, meaning there is no standing heat loss, just energy efficient hot water. For the bar area, Zip provided its HydroTap Classic Plus in smart matt black. This clever tap which was installed on the bar with the help of a font, provides instant filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water. This transforms the way staff and visitors can make hot and cold drinks - and helps to encourage a refill culture within the workplace. Another benefit of the HydroTap is the enhanced hygiene thanks to SteriTouch which is embedded in the touchpad, as well as in key components of the water path, reducing the growth of bacteria by 99.99%.The results"We pride ourselves on making places where people want to be and that’s certainly the case with our new Bristol office. We wanted every detail to reflect our vision of creating a destination workplace and this included the water provision. Zip Water could provide world class products combined with the best service so we had no hesitation in specifying their products."Kevin Marshford , Sales DirectorParamount Office Interiors

Offering invaluable space flexibility, Style was commissioned to install nine Stylefold 120 moveable walls in the Sisters of Prayer Hall within the Darussalam Centre, Southall.A busy facility that is used for a multitude of different activities and gatherings every day, the newly adaptable space ensures the Centre is fully utilised at all times. With the moveable walls forming a grid throughout the vast, open-plan area, staff and visitors can now create an extensive range of large and smaller room configurations as required.Style is the UK’s multi-award winning market leader in moveable partitioning walls and works with all requirements and budgets, from small community centres to vast conferencing venues.The Darussalam Centre provides a platform for all Muslims to practically apply Islamic principles and work together for the community’s advancement through the provision of social, educational, and religious services, as well as outreach programs to build bridges of mutual understanding with other communities.“This is a great example of how moveable walls can take a large open plan area and create the flexibility to change it into whatever room arrangement is needed on the day,” said Michael Porter, sales director for Style South.“Simple and quick to manoeuvre, they can be changed at a moment’s notice and with a 37dB acoustic rating they offer Darussalam Centre the desired level of sound reduction for their requirements.”Style is the exclusive UK partner to Dorma Hüppe, Skyfold and SWG moveable wall systems and offers a complete range of manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic solutions across a wide range of market sectors.

Integrated Alumasc Water Management Solutions specified on new mixed-use development.The site of a derelict petrol station located in the historical town of Hemel Hempstead has recently been transformed into a new retail and residential development.Bovingdon High Street now features eight brand new apartments and a new Tesco express outlet, bringing new life into the once disused space near the town centre.The unique design of the site coupled with the number of dwellings planned, saw a number of challenging design factors for the project, including curved roofs and the need for soffits within a confined space.This is where Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS) come into their own, offering a complete solution. An integrated Skyline and Rainwater offering was specified across the development, including Skyline’s bespoke aluminium fascia, soffits & copings. AX moulded extruded gutter systems with combined Swaged downpipes where also part of the final specification. All finished in a BBA approved, polyester powder coated finish, the final look achieved demonstrates understated quality, in dusty grey colour (RAL 7037) specifically to match the windows and balconies on the project.“Thankfully we were consulted early in the project, which is where we are most effective,” commented John Hemphill, Skyline Technical Sales Manager, who worked on the project.“We had a number of site meetings, which resulted in designing and submitting CAD and 3D drawings in order to ensure the project was delivered on time.”

The owner of this converted church in Leven, Fife consulted an architect who specialises in the restoration of churches, Des Cairns, about the ongoing maintenance and decoration of her property. Des Cairns recommended Tony Carter, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints to visit site to assess the existing wall paint, and suggest a plan for future painting.Des discussed with the owner that with old stone buildings, churches, palaces etc, KEIM is the paint of choice for restoration as it allows the building to breathe.During Tony’s visit, he explained how KEIM Paints are still made using a 140 year old recipe that consists of natural mineral pigments. It allows the walls to breathe, preventing flaking paint in the future. The colour is guaranteed not to fade or change over time, even up to 100 years.KEIM have their own Exclusiv colour range along with other standard colours and offer a colour match facility.KEIM Optil was chosen as it can be applied to previously painted surfaces such as painted plaster, plasterboard and sandstone window mullions without the need for primer.The owner said, “The painter was impressed with how well the paint covered”.“I am delighted with the result and finish of KEIM Paint. It is reassuring to have the architect’s recommendation and the knowledge that the paint will work with the building in the long term and last. It was a very big job to paint the inside of the church, in part it is 33 feet high and the whole job took several weeks. It is something I hope not to have to do again in my lifetime, so I wanted the best. I can strongly recommend KEIM Paint.”

Poundbury is an urban extension to the town of Dorchester. Developed over a period of nearly 30 years, and designed to a masterplan by Leon Krier, Poundbury has been an extraordinarily influential demonstration of the Prince of Wales’s vision for new mixed-use development. The development started in 1993 and is expected to complete in 2025.The development is notable for its use of traditional materials such as clay brick, distinctive architecture, and its mix of residential and commercial uses. It also includes a number of affordable housing developments, which is one of the key aims of the project; 35% of homes being built in Poundbury are affordable housing for rent, shared ownership or discounted sales.Since 2009 much of the development has been the responsibility of Ben Pentreath Ltd who has created a variety of architectural styles throughout the development which is based on what local housebuilders are able to do best. A high level of detail is notable throughout and will continue into future phases of the development, including the Urban Quarter, which will be more representative of London’s built aesthetic.Freshfield Lane’s ever-popular Lindfield Yellow, First Quality Multi’s and Selected Darks are in frequent use throughout Poundbury, where their combined characteristics help to reaffirm the grandeur of the project, while also providing a comforting, familiar sense of style. The lighter tones of the bricks help to add to the already noticeable sense of space created by the architects and help to settle the extremities of the expansion into the picturesque, surrounding Dorset scenery.Special thanks to Taylor Maxwell

AG is proud to have played an intrinsic part in the redevelopment of the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare – Irish racing’s biggest ever capital development project, which opened to the public in May at an estimated cost of over €80 million.AG supplied TerraPave® flagstones in Genoa (Ground and Textured) to internal and external areas of the new grandstand and outer buildings. The internal flags for Phase 2 were Genoa Ground 600×400, manufactured with a square edge. Internally, AG also supplied made-to-order steps with strip inserts and a unique notch to the underside to improve safety.The external flags were Genoa Textured 600×400, which were used on the external balcony areas of the stand.“At a site meeting with the client, John Sisk & Sons (main contractor), Grimshaw Architects from London and NMA Architects from Dublin, it became clear that AG were the sole company that could meet all the criteria for all parties,” said Brendan Reynolds, Specifications & Commercial Sales Consultant.“The original specification was for natural granite, but time, costs and consistency of colour became issues for all involved. AG suggested TerraPave® Genoa, in both textures, to suit the internal and external areas, which matched the colour requirement of the specification. We were also able to provide matching steps to meet Part M Building Regulations and a square edge to the flags, which the client wanted.“Finally, we were able to agree a production programme which met with Sisk’s requirement to hand over the building in the first week of April 2019.”

Artform Urban Furniture were appointed by Lendlease and Gillespies to provide a number of waste / recycling units and a water fountain to a new public green space in the centre of Elephant and Castle.The Box Litter Bin is a versatile and highly adaptable design that features a variety of finishes to complement a range of external spaces. After receiving a suite of options from our sales team , the client opted for a hardwood clad door option with powder coated steel frame. The combination of materials sit naturally within the new green space. The bins come complete with an anti-graffiti coating and bespoke designed designation plate to front of bins and bespoke stubber plate to top of general waste bins. The Fuente fountains provide fresh drinking water, an environmentally friendly option for members of the public to fill up their water bottles and save on plastic waste.Elephant and Castle is a central London neighbourhood that has a long and fascinating history dating back as long as the reign of the Roman empire. In recent years, £4bn of public and private money has been invested into the area in a major regeneration project. Thousands of new homes are being built and the town centre is being revitalised with new shops, offices, restaurants and the largest new green space in London since the '50s.Elephant Park is a spectacular 2 acre green oasis at the heart of the ground-breaking project - featuring a huge array of plant species, play areas, seating spaces, water features and the aim to be the UK’s first climate positive development when completed.

Our double point movable walls allow the panels to stack away in a concealed recessed pocket to give a clear room and flexible spaces. The chosen finish was foamed backed 12mm stretched fabric Kvadrat. Colour name: Remix 3 123 both sides (flame retardancy) with concealed edge profiles, therefore giving the finest attention to detail. Structure opening was 4.5m wide and 2.7m high and consisted of 3 standard panels and 1 telescopic closure panel. The chosen acoustic sound reduction was our 50dB acoustic laboratory construction. As shown in our key facts and specifications above, there are many benefits that come with having movable walls in your environment. The made-to-measure panels of these operable walls work through an internal, retractable mechanism and move quietly and quickly along the head track. In their closed position, the MG100 walls are extremely secure and rigid. An element of flexibility is suddenly added to your space. And therefore the environment can quickly be manipulated to cater for any of your flexible space needs. Whether that be for meetings or a little bit of privacy. Contact Us for movable walls If you are looking to have movable walls installed in your work environment, please get in touch. Call one of our helpful and accommodating staff members on 01932 918 338. Or you can email us at sales@modernglide.co.uk. Alternatively, you can fill in our online enquiry form and we will reply as soon as we can.

Rushcliffe Oaks is a new crematorium situated in open countryside in Nottinghamshire. Partitioning specialist, Style worked with contractor, A&S Enterprises to increase the functionality of the space between entrance lobby and the chapel.A Dorma Hüppe Variflex semi-automatic glass moveable wall was chosen as the best option, allowing the chapel to be quickly closed off from the main entrance area whenever a funeral is in progress. Minimising possible disturbance, Variflex delivers an impressive 50dB acoustic rating, with further privacy being offered by the inclusion of automatic blinds that are integrated into the individual glass panels.Providing a sensitive and calming space to remember loved ones and say goodbye in a peaceful and tranquil setting, Rushcliffe Oak Crematorium is set in beautifully landscaped grounds. The environmentally conscious facility uses renewable energy sources and is one of the first in the country to invest in innovative all-electric technologies.Contributing to the facility’s drive for a low carbon footprint, the Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable wall has an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804, making it a highly sustainable solution.“This is a perfect example of where a moveable wall can add so much more to a room than simply dividing the space,” said Steve Williams, Style’s sales director for the Midlands.“When not in use, the moveable wall can be stacked neatly away creating a large, open plan area. However, when in situ it plays an important role in ensuring ceremonies benefit from maximum privacy, helping to create an environment that is peaceful and free from outside disturbance.To ensure the room is fully accessible, Style increased the height of the pass door in the moveable wall to 2400mm, enabling a coffin to be easily manoeuvred into the chapel.