Altro Takes A Fresh Look With Bauhaus-Inspired Solutions

,

Commercial interior surfaces specialist Altro has introduced stunning new high-design ranges to its floors, doors and walls package. Delivering premium aesthetics with outstanding durability, all backed by Altro’s sector-leading support and expertise, Altro Ensemble™ modular flooring system and Altro Whiterock™ wall designs wall sheet are ideal for office, retail and hospitality environments.

New Altro Ensemble modular flooring system is the next generation of luxury vinyl tiles. From colour blocking to geometric patterns, with a range of plank and tile sizes and textures, Altro Ensemble gives design freedom to create luxurious floors for commercial interior spaces. With 57 options to mix and match, the modular flooring system has natural wood and stone designs and bloc colours too. Altro Ensemble is 2.6mm thick with a 0.55mm wear layer, 15dB sound reduction qualities and added comfort underfoot, with minimal residual indentation and excellent durability. A truly exceptional material, it combines these features with unique flexibility and is lightweight, making it easy to transport, cut and handle for installation.

In developing the new Altro Ensemble collection, the design team has taken inspiration from the Bauhaus design school’s philosophy of bridging the gap between form and function to engineer products that meet the customers’ biggest challenges, such as the need for cleanability, sustainability and flexibility. The result is a premium modular flooring system that offers variety and design freedom to create sophisticated, contemporary and striking designs. It also has the benefits of local sustainably sourced raw materials made to Altro’s exacting manufacturing standards, which ensure high quality, excellent durability and high-performance characteristics.

Altro Ensemble is the perfect partner to Altro Whiterock wall designs – a new vision in wall decoration with natural wood, stone and linen options plus stunning metallic designs to give elegance to interior walls.

Renowned for high quality solutions backed by market-leading customer service and technical support, Altro has been at the forefront of innovation for almost 100 years. As a family-founded business, Altro has a strong sense of its values and a way of thinking that puts people’s needs at the heart of its work. It’s a human-centred approach to designing for the demands of 21st century life.

The new ranges are the natural progression of tried and tested products, each harnessing decades of research and expertise in the UK and in Germany, with extensive customer feedback integrated into the development process.

Although new to the UK, Altro Ensemble modular flooring system is the latest generation of a product which has been designed and manufactured in Germany, where it has enjoyed success for many years and is an excellent example of German engineering at its best. A tried and tested product, it has undergone an extensive redesign process which has benefited from the combination of existing technology and new expertise from several sources including the team in Germany, as well as the contribution of award-winning colour consultant Knut Völzke.

Altro Whiterock wall designs are the latest development from Altro’s UK design and development team, building upon decades of experience in wall sheets. The new range makes a show-stopping design statement and is perfect for general circulation areas, receptions and foyers, as well as wet environments such as bathrooms and spas, creating a design focal point. Matching sealants and co-ordinating and contrasting trims are available.

Discover Altro’s full building solution at www.altro.co.uk
/0 Comments/by

Online and in touch – the digital way ahead

Chris Goggin of Rinnai looks at the way to the future, for installers, specifiers and end-users, with an online and fully digitalised approach to trading in today’s world.

Today’s world is driven by fingertip operation on a computer, Smartphone, tablet – or even a watch. ‘Digitalisation’ has interrupted and reset the way all businesses of all sizes operate.

‘Digitalisation’ is simply the integration of digital technologies into all seconds, minutes and hours of everyday life. It dictates, virtually all communications between installers and their customers – and suppliers. If a business chooses not to embrace the opportunities of digitalisation and remains in a state of denial then it is highly likely to be left behind and fall away from competitors. The evidence is here – the rise and rise of online purchasing has already accounted for major names in retailing going into administration and ceasing to trade. Online buying is now across multiple device formats, along with the streamlining of product or service information available to consumer bases.

The world is now digital. Finding the ways of employing and utilising this new digital space is key in maintaining a competitive edge within your sector of plumbing and heating installation and contracting market.

The leading manufacturing companies are creating online contact points, information and support services that are fully digitalised and accessible on any device. Tailoring this information so that it is personalised to target customers, geographically and demographically, is a strong and advanced method of ensuring complete service offerings, in a streamlined and effective way.

And the benefits? Time and cost efficiency dramatically increases in talking to anyone involved in the supply chain. It gives a platform to engage with manufacturers at any time of day and from any site.

For specifiers and consultants who need reliable products and information, engaging with a fully digitalised manufacturer, with integrated BIM shelf and associated sales support as a core competency, will deliver this without question.

For end users, too, this accessibility leads to peace of mind. A digitalisation strategy is, at its core, aiming to ensure the customer is central to company thinking and long-term goals. Competing in the new wider, and online, industry requires the most advanced, personalised and hassle-free offering to the end user in this manner is extremely important.

Brand knowledge and trust now requires transparency and direct accountability, and so Twitter and other social media platforms, are also a key area for engagement and information flow. Social media enables interaction and mediation with emergent groups (even regular online reviews which can be both good and bad!) while enhancing and protecting a reputation.

For more information on the RINNAI visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
/0 Comments/by

Rinnai’s eye-catching rugby league sponsorship – for all the right reasons

As one of the UK’s leading manufacturing suppliers of commercial hot water heating systems, Rinnai has solidified sponsorships with similarly industry competitive partners, including the Super League Club, the Widnes Vikings. Striking a more novel tone, Rinnai’s name appears on the backside of players shorts.

“Rinnai is a worldwide brand name in its field and has taken some major global sponsorships – including the Queensland Reds, The World Club World Cup event held January this year in Tokyo, the World Ice Skating Championships and the US Nascar competition held in Daytona, Las Vegas and other major American venues. It is certainly different, but works incredibly well for us and Widnes Vikings”, says Rinnai Operations chief Chris Goggin. “The sponsorship takes the form of the Rinnai logo and brand name on the back of the playing shorts. This is the first time both parties have taken this unconventional but innovative style of sports sponsorship.

“We are absolutely delighted to take a very active sponsorship with Widnes Vikings. We, as Rinnai, share a common belief in approach and values of excellence, innovation and responsibility to the wider community”, adds Chris Goggin.

That belief translates directly into the economic and reliable solutions for installers, specifiers and end users’ installers or all domestic and commercial hot water heating and delivery needs in Rinnai’s comprehensive range.

Maintaining A rated energy efficiencies, temperature accurate water supplies their electronically controlled continuous flow gas fired units and systems are the product off choice within the UK.

Committed to sustainability, both in business and environmental impact, the Rinnai range delivers energy saving performance and low greenhouse emissions through new low NOx burner technology. All units and systems can be installed stand-alone or manifolded to provide unlimited hot water for even the largest of commercial sites, without loss of pressure and heating at different delivery points.

The newly updated Rinnai Infinity range also embodies our business model for innovation within the industry. The Infinity 16i, weighing just 18kg and measuring less than 675mm (H) x 139mm (W), has a delivery capacity of 15.2 litres per minute, at a temperature rise of 25°. Water temperature can be pre-set through easy-to-use built in digital controls, eliminating the risk of scalding and potentially eradicating the need for thermostatic mixing valves. Designed for use directly off the mains, with no need for large, inconvenient and energy inefficient storage vessels, this unit is the perfect domestic heating solution.

The larger Rinnai 26i continuous flow water heater unit is one of the company’s best-selling internal water heaters worldwide and has a flow rate of 19.6 litres/min, raised at 33°C. Rinnai Heavy Duty water heaters are high efficiency gas continuous flow water heaters with outputs up to 69kW.

Compact and reliable, the Rinnai Heavy Duty HD50i operates between 1-10 bar pressure, which is suitable for mains and systems with boost pumps.

The HD50i Internal water heater is a wall hung, gas fired, continuous flow water heater capable of producing hot water at 756 litres per hour at a 50°C rise. Incoming water temperatures of up to 60°C are accepted, making the HD50i suitable for secondary return systems.

With a 125mm concentric flue, which can be extended up to 15m, less 1m per 45° bend, water can be delivered at high volume with minimum gas consumption.

All models have full electronic ignition with no pilot light and operate on demand only, consuming no gas when not in use.

All Rinnai internal HDC condensing continuous flow water heaters are room-sealed, power flue appliances while the external weatherproof models have forced exhaust which enables them to be compact, saving both floor and wall space.

Rinnai’s unique condensing technology incorporates two heat exchangers to achieve optimum water heating generated from every cubic metre of Natural Gas or LPG. The condensing process delivers up to 95% thermal efficiency, which translates to significant energy savings when compared to standard on-demand water heaters or conventional stored systems.

Rinnai continuous flow hot water systems deliver on all levels in a cost effective and practical manner. Easy to install and operate the units provide a flexible and energy efficient solution for domestic applications and for all sectors of business and industry.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
/0 Comments/by

VELUX offers more rewards to customers this autumn

Up to £30 or €35 of rewards up for grabs with top brand partners

VELUX® is offering customers across the UK and Ireland more rewards this autumn.

The promotion will reward installers, builders and homeowners who choose VELUX white-painted roof windows during September and October.

VELUX white-painted roof windows are the right choice for both lofts and extensions – perfect for modern interiors, creating a brighter, contemporary look. The white-painted finish reflects more light back into the home than darker surfaces would.

The rewards of £30 in the UK are redeemable at a range of retailers and restaurants including M&S, Argos, Thomas Cook, Curry’s PC World and Tesco. In Ireland, retailers include Dunnes, Argos, Tesco and Milanos.

Grant Sneddon, product manager for VELUX said “More and more people are deciding to stay put but to extend their home to accommodate their ever-growing families, and in turn saving money as well increasing the price of their home. That is why we are urging our customers to take advantage of our latest offer during September and October.

“It includes the entire VELUX range that is available in white-painted, from manual, centre-pivot and top-hung standard roof windows to combination solutions, and remote controlled VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows. It also includes curved glass rooflights that help to create lighter, brighter interiors inside the home as well as improve the overall look of flat roof extensions.”

To receive rewards from VELUX, upload your proof of purchase at www.velux.co.uk/rewards. If based in Ireland, upload your proof of purchase here www.velux.ie/rewards
/0 Comments/by

Armstrong Ceilings announces winner of “New beginnings” competition

A community project in West Yorkshire wins the prize – a new Dune eVo ceiling.

Some two months after launching its #eVoNewBeginnings competition to donate a new ceiling to a voluntary or charitable organisation, Armstrong Ceilings is helping residents of one West Yorkshire town to scratch a seven-year itch.

For the winner of its competition is The Space Field Lane – a £480,000 project to renovate a former community centre on the Field Lane estate in Rastrick that has lain empty for seven years.

The prize is up to 250m2 of Dune eVo tiles and grid plus up to three days of free installation by a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers

Choosing a winner from all the entries however was a painstaking task, literally, for the three judges – Sara Rees, head of fundraising at the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity, Armstrong’s chosen charity for 2018, Graham Taylor, Armstrong’s sales director, and Sara Carter, Armstrong’s HR director.

The Space Field Lane project was entered by its architect Neil Hardacre of Pickles Architecture in Brighouse.

A group of community volunteers has been working together for several years to bring about a ‘new beginning’ to the former community centre at the heart of the Field Lane Estate in Rastrick in West Yorkshire.

It has been closed for seven years and the estate is desperately short of a facility where its community can come together. The project aims to bring about activities for all generations, opportunities for socialising at the planned community café, and training and vital opportunities for the young people of the estate.

Group trustees have taken the building over from the council and have design plans in place to complete major refurbishment, including two big spaces which need new ceilings, lighting and so on. They were two thirds of the way towards the total funding of £480,000 required but have already had to scale back to make the project feasible.

The estimated cost for removal and replacement of the existing ceiling alone was £16,000 including VAT and fees so winning the Dune eVo ceiling would enable the group to add major value to other parts of the refurbishment, bringing back some of the other key enhancements they have had to forfeit.

In their entry trustee Mary Green said: “We have achieved so much already and are just ordinary people determined to make this happen. We have brought the building into our own hands, held consultation days and events, raised over £300,000 in grants and worked with a local project team to pull together the refurbishment plans.

“Winning this competition would not only provide us with precious practical and financial help but would be such a morale boost. To have encouragement and support from a business such as Armstrong Ceiling Solutions would be absolutely invaluable.

“Our project truly is a ‘new beginning’ for local residents, the estate and wider community who have come together to support the building becoming ‘The Space @ Field Lane- Our Space, Our Place” – a vibrant community hub. We really hope that a Dune eVo Armstrong ceiling will become an invaluable part of it.”

On hearing that they had won the competition, and the new Dune eVo ceiling, an ecstatic Mary added: “We are absolutely delighted. This is terrific news and a real morale booster to us as a team apart from the practical help that the prize will give to our project.

“It will be huge for the residents of the estate. They will be thrilled to bits that this opportunity has been given to our estate and our project. We have been working on this for so long now. We are almost there now.”

Architect Neil Hardaker, who heard about the competition through an Armstrong newsletter they subscribe to, said: “We are so pleased for the local charity to be awarded with a new ceiling from Armstrong. They really deserve this help.”

He added: Pickles Architecture are delighted to be involved with this community project and are happy to be working with the team.”

The other entries were Pilsley Church of England Primary School in Derbyshire, the 5th Boston Scout Group in Lincolnshire, Sunderland Mind, St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School in Gateshead, People Without Labels which occupies the oldest building in the East End of Glasgow, 1st Winlaton Scout Group in Blaydon-on-Tyne, Kingsmead school in Staffordshire, and Tiber Football Centre in Liverpool.

Rays of Sunshine’s Sara Rees said she was honoured to be asked to join the judges’ panel for what was an “excellent” initiative.

She added: “We were really impressed with the quality of the applications, so the judging process required some significant consideration and deliberation. The panel discussed each case in turn, assessing them against several measures including the context of the new ceiling, the impact on the local community, and the long-term legacy of the project.

“A big thank you to everyone who applied – they were all very deserving entries. There were a number of strong contenders but the overall winner demonstrated remarkable passion, commitment, resourcefulness, hard work and determination – a real example of ordinary people coming together in a community to achieve something extraordinary. I am excited about what is going to be achieved and can’t wait to see the outcome.”

Here are just some of all the judges’ comments about the winning project:

  • ‘Something from nothing’
  • ‘Not just an upgrade to something existing. Part of something brand new. Total transformation’
  • ‘People taking time out of their own lives to do something for the community. Felt like something really worthwhile supporting’
  • ‘The time and effort given to the submission was outstanding. Showed real passion for their pitch’
  • ‘We feel it would have a genuine impact on the community, for the long term’
  • ‘A group of ordinary people doing something extraordinary’
  • ‘A new beginning for local residents’
More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
/0 Comments/by

Evinox launches fresh new website to showcase heat network products and services

Evinox Energy announce the launch of their new company website, which features a fresh look and feel and user-friendly navigation, enabling users to browse through their extensive range of heat network products and services with ease. These include a range of smart heat interface units (HIUs) and comprehensive support services including metering, billing, revenue management and service and maintenance.

Delivering a fully responsive experience, the new website gives users a seamless transition from desktop to mobile browsing and has been designed to provide heat network information for Housing Developers, M&E Consultants, Housing Associations and Building Managers, covering all stages of a communal or district heating project.

Emma Alexander, Marketing Manager at Evinox Energy, said – “We are really excited about the launch of our new site, which we’ve packed with useful heat network information, including articles, case studies, best practice and regulation advice, alongside technical information about our ModuSat® Smart HIU range and metering, billing and maintenance support services. We love the new look and feel of the site, and see it as the cornerstone of our online marketing strategy, aligning our digital platform much more closely to our brand and product and service offerings,”

Let’s Talk About Smart HIU’s

The new Smart Heat Interface Unit Hub on the Evinox website features plenty of technical content and useful information and includes everything you need to know about Evinox’s ModuSat® range of HIUs. The hub also covers topics such as the UK BESA HIU test standard, designing for energy efficient networks and the benefits of electronic control. It even features an online tool for selecting Heat Interface Units based on your project parameters and provides calculations for the whole network. Users can also request one of Evinox’s CIBSE accredited CPD seminars and download the Heat Network Design Guide via the website.

Find Out How Evinox Can Help with Metering and Billing for Your Heat Network

The website walks you through all the requirements of a successful metering and billing system for a heat network development. This includes information about the typical network set-up, which domestic and commercial meters might be required, credit billing services, debt free Pay-as-you-go technology and guidance about how to comply with the Heat Network (Metering & Billing) Regulations 2014.

Service & Maintenance Support for Heat Networks

Knowing how vital the support services can be for the operation the heat network and HIUs alike, Evinox’s new website provides lots of useful information for housing developers and building managers. Find out more about their internet based remote Service and Maintenance for HIU’s, enhanced warranty cover, plant room maintenance and combined plans for billing and service where they offer very competitive discounted rates for both in one package.

Emma Alexander continued – “As we strive to improve every aspect of Evinox’s on and offline presence, flagship projects such as this demonstrate our commitment to excellence to our customers and partners. I’m extremely excited to be involved in the continued evolution of Evinox Energy and look forward to sharing what we’ve got in the pipeline over the coming months”.

Find out more about Evinox’s heat network products and services, and experience the fresh new site for yourself, by visiting www.evinoxenergy.co.uk.
/0 Comments/by

Titon makes two key new appointments to supplement Sales Team

Leading ventilation and window hardware manufacturer Titon has made two key new additions to its Ventilation Systems sales team by appointing Oliver Gledhill and Ken Johnson as Area Sales Managers. Both will be reporting to UK Sales Director Lee Caulfield.

Based in West Yorkshire, Oliver will be responsible for growing sales in the Yorkshire and North East. Previously a Technical Sales Engineer with Giacomini, he has industry experience, having dealt previously with contractors, specifiers, consultants and distribution.

Commenting on his new role, Oliver said: “I am delighted to be joining such a forward thinking and innovative company as Titon. I am looking forward to growing ventilation sales, specification and awareness in Yorkshire and the North East, as well as helping the company to achieve its goals.”

In his spare time he is involved with his local cricket club, and coaches the U11 team, which his son also plays for. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, and doing a spot of DIY in the winter when there’s no cricket.

Ken is based in Stoke on Trent and will be covering the North West area. He has spent 12 years in the ventilation sector, having previously worked with Vortice.

He said of his new role: “Titon has fantastic manufacturing facilities and a comprehensive range of excellent MVHR products. I look forward to growing the business via strong partnerships and making Titon the number-one choice in the North West.”

Ken enjoys supporting his football club Birmingham City, where he and his two sons are season ticket holders. He is also a keen cook and gardener.

Commenting on the appointments, Sales Director Lee Caulfield said: “Due to the continued success of our ventilation systems business, we’ve strengthened the sales team with two new area sales managers. We are delighted to welcome Oliver and Ken to the company – they both have a wealth of experience and we are sure they will enable us to continue our growth, ensuring Titon’s products reach an even wider audience.”

For more information about Titon’s Ventilation Systems Division, please visit: www.titon.co.uk
/0 Comments/by

Weberend One Coat Dash designed for speed of application and onsite efficiency

Saint-Gobain Weber has launched high performance weberend one coat dash, a one coat render that can receive a dry dash finish without the need to apply a base coat or a second pass. Designed to achieve a durable and weather resistant finish weberend one coat dash is especially suitable for the challenging Scottish climate where dash finish is commonplace.

Suitable for brick, blockwork, concrete, natural stone and clay substrates weberend one coat dash can be applied and finished on the same day, avoiding the drying time associated with a traditional two coat system typically of three to seven days. The use of weberend one coat dash allows faster application, reduced programme periods and improved onsite efficiency.

Onsite preparation is quick and easy requiring only the addition of water to the factory-blended, through-coloured render mix. It is suitable for application by hand and by spray render machine which will speed the process further. When applied at 16mm thickness coverage is approximately 1m² per 25kg bag. In many circumstances it is possible to apply the total thickness of weberend one coat dash in a single pass dependent upon criteria such as construction alignment, suction and mechanical key offered by the substrate. weberend one coat dash is factory produced for consistency of proportioning and available in three key colours: white, cream and buff.

“Whatever name you know it by, pebbledash, harling or dry dashing, this is a time-honoured building technique in Scotland which results in a long-lasting weatherproof shield, originally designed to protect stone buildings. This new one coat system offers a quick solution to architects, housebuilders and contractors, allowing their choice of decorative aggregates, to achieve an attractive and durable façade. ” says Tracey Dempster, head of marketing, Saint-Gobain Weber. “This practice is the most common type of finish that has been used throughout Scotland for centuries. Long lasting and practical weberend one coat dash, finished with a blend of decorative aggregate stones, is perfectly suited to the exposed locations of the country offering low maintenance and upkeep as its increased surface area serves to maximise evaporation and protect against driving rain.”

For more information about this product, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk.
A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
/0 Comments/by

RCM strengthens it’s façade sales team

RCM, Roofing and Cladding Materials Ltd, specialists in complete through wall solutions, are pleased to announce the appointment of Ricky Beadle as Regional Facades Sales Manager for the south of England with immediate effect.

The appointment follows an ever increasing demand for RCM to supply specialist external facades to the UK construction industry. Ricky Beadle joins from FGF Ltd and brings more than 14 years’ experience of the industry to RCMs growing facades division.

Ricky is extremely knowledgeable on modern building façade systems and knows how to build trusting and lasting relationships with customers. Working alongside an already successful facades team he will be reporting to Ian Quinton, Managing Director of RCM.

Commenting on the new appointment, Ian Quinton said: “Ricky brings a wealth of experience to the position and has a passion for the industry, something which is immediately evident in his personality. He is outgoing and extremely genuine and approachable.

RCM are looking to increase solutions for our customers and grow our market share in offering a great variety of specialist building facades. This is something I believe Ricky will significantly contribute to.

We believe Ricky will embrace RCM’s vision wholeheartedly and we all welcome our newest member with great enthusiasm.”

Ricky commented: “I have been impressed with RCM and believe in the company’s vision for the future. My experience will help support and advance the facades division of RCM and I am looking forward to building great long-lasting working relationships with new and existing customers on behalf of the company.”

For more information please visit www.buildingboards.co.uk
/0 Comments/by

Rinnai appoints new Sales Consultant in London

Rinnai, the UK’s leading supplier of hot water heating units and systems for all commercial and residential sites, has appointed Lewis McLeggan as Sales Consultant for the London area.

Lewis, who lives in West London, holds a BA (Hons) in Business & Marketing and joins Rinnai with a wealth of industrial experience and knowledge.

“London and the South East are major areas of growth for the whole range of Rinnai hot water heating products, systems and ancillaries. This appointment is in line with our commitment to continuously invest in our human resources in order to deliver customer service excellence,” says Rinnai Managing Director Tony Gittings.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
/0 Comments/by