BIMobject is now the portal of choice for Armstrong Ceiling Solutions

Armstrong Ceilings’ BIM files are now available in 12 languages.

BIM objects for the Armstrong Ceiling Solutions range in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are now available for specifiers, designers, BIM managers and contractors to download in multiple languages on BIMobject.com.

The worldwide manufacturer has re-launched its BIM offer through the global portal www.bimobject.com to reflect its truly international reach.

The Armstrong Ceilings EMEA files are available to download in two of the most popular software formats used in Europe – ArchiCAD and Revit.

Within these BIM objects detailed product specification and information text and links to Armstrong product datasheets are available in 12 different languages – English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Czech, Dutch, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish and Russian.

These BIM files cover almost 300 individual items within 29 product lines including the Cradle to Cradle® certified Perla and Ultima+ ranges and the ever-popular Dune range.

Armstrong’s commercial technical manager EMEA Rob Gardiner said: “Having our BIM objects more easily accessible for all our customers, wherever they are in the world, and in both ArchiCAD and Revit makes it easier for our customers to design and specify projects with
Armstrong ceiling systems using BIM.”

Video guides showing how to access Armstrong BIM objects can be viewed via YouTube on the following links: Revit and ArchiCAD 
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Improved M-Class dust extractor introduced

  • 110v and 240v models with Power Take Off options
  • Increased airflow and new automatic filter cleaning system

Makita’s 447M M-Class dust extractor has set high performance and reliability standards throughout industry since its introduction and the latest version of the M-Class extractor, the new VC4210M, bristles with new features whilst maintaining a highly competitive price point.

The new Makita VC4210M fully meets the EU standards of protection demanded of the M-Class dust control regulations. This is the minimum standard permitted for legally compliant work in construction environments. The updated design has moved the motor, control module and main filter higher up into the upper body housing which increases the tank working capacity. This enables a 30 litre disposable bag to be filled and for wet suction the tank will hold 29 litres before the new, automatic fluid level valve shuts off the motor, protecting the machine from flooding. The tank sits neatly inside the double-wall moulded body housing on big rear wheels and robust front steel castors.

Available in 110v and 240v modes there are three variants: 110v models with and without Power Take Off to drive integrated power tools and a 240v model with Power Take Off. When connected to a power tool, the extractor switches off automatically when the power tool is shut down. The motor input wattage is 1000W for the 110v model and 1200W for the 240v machine. The 110v model with Power Take Off will provide 1750W for tool power and the 240v model 1800W.

Maximum airflow and filtration performance have been substantially increased for the new VC4210M extractor with max air flow now 4.5m³/min. The latest Makita automatic filter cleaning system uses the strong airflow reversed regularly through each of the air filter routes to ensure the durable PTFE filter is kept clear. Access to this high-efficiency filter is through a new large hatchback port in the rear of the housing, enabling access to the filter without having to remove the motor head. An air flow sensor will bleep a warning if the filter becomes clogged, the tank is full or there is a restriction in the suction pipe.

The new Makita VC4210M dust extractor has a flat top housing design, useful for depositing hand tools and accessories, and Makita Makpac cases can be attached using an optional accessory adaptor plate. Delivered with a 5m long, 32mm diameter suction tube, this versatile extractor has individual operating settings for hose diameters of 21, 27, 32, 36 and 38mm.

Dust extraction is a health and safety ‘must’ on all sites and the new Makita VC4210 M-class unit protects the working environment at an affordable price.

For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com. Follow us on Twitter @MakitaUK, Facebook.com/makitauk and google.com/+makitauk
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Giacomini customers win Alastair Seeley prizes

Earlier this year it was announced that Giacomini UK would be sponsoring the North West 200 record holder and former British Superstock and Supersport champion, Alastair Seeley.

To celebrate the sponsorship Giacomini gave customers the chance to dine with Alastair and to join them at the North West 200 race.

Giacomini is a CIBSE approved CPD course provider, offering courses that CIBSE members can take to contribute towards their CPD qualifications. By completing the CPD booking form, for either Giacomini’s underfloor heating or heat interface unit courses, applicants were automatically entered into the competition.

The winners received a meet and greet dinner with Alastair, as well as grandstand seating and paddock passes to the NW200 race day, where Alastair successfully extended his record tally to 21 wins.

Both events were hosted by Warren Smyth, Giacomini’s technical sales engineer for Ireland.

For more information about Giacomini UK and their CPD courses, visit www.giacomini.co.uk or call 01454 809100.
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Kiwa BDA has appointed Cathy Liang as Technical Project Manager

Kiwa Ltd is the UK provider of the BDA Agrément® for roofing, facade, insulation and other building products.

Cathy Liang, MIstructE, will be instrumental in supporting the growing demand for product approval.

“Cathy’s expertise makes her the ideal candidate for the role” explained Kiwa’s CEO, Brian Austin. “This business area is developing quickly and recruiting Cathy shows our commitment to maintaining the integrity of our work, and providing our client base with easy access to a technical resource”.

For more information please email chris.forshaw@kiwa.co.uk or call 07718 570564
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Alan and Brian Stannah awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Stannah is proud to announce that Joint Chairmen, Brian and Alan Stannah, have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, 2017. The brothers and fourth generation business leaders have received the honour in recognition of services to British Manufacturing.

Brian and Alan have been awarded MBEs as Stannah celebrates its 150th year in business as manufacturer and supplier of lifting products. The brothers have worked together for 54 years, not only turning around the fortunes of the ailing business in the 1960s, but transforming Stannah into a household name.

With complementary sales and engineering expertise, Brian and Alan were the masterminds behind Stannah’s most famed product: the stairlift. Together, they worked tirelessly to produce and launch the stairlift in the 1970s, going on to sell over 600,000 worldwide ever since. The brothers then developed the Maxilift, an innovative range of passenger lifts which quickly became extremely popular and a core product for the business.

The Joint Chairmen have committed their professional lives to excellence and innovation in British engineering and manufacturing, with every single Stannah stairlift chair and carriage designed and manufactured at the company’s headquarters in Andover.

Today, Stannah operates in 40 countries worldwide and employs almost 2,000 people, with the support of the fifth generation of the family. Under the brothers’ stewardship, the company has generated well over £3.5billion of turnover and is widely regarded as a pioneering, sustainable and vibrant business.

In parallel to their professional endeavours, the brothers have also spent the past 50 years supporting local charities. They have donated their time and considerable sums to causes such as Icknield Special School in Andover, Alton College’s Building Futures Fundraising Appeal, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, Riding for the Disabled and The Prince’s Trust.

Commenting on the news, Brian and Alan Stannah said: “We are deeply humbled to be the recipients of such an honour. A steadfast commitment to innovation, quality and customer service has been the guiding principles of our family business and are as relevant today as they were when we joined the business. Our hard working and loyal colleagues have been integral to upholding these values over the years, and to them we are truly grateful.”

Jon Stannah, managing director of Stannah and Brian’s son, added: “Stannah this year celebrates its landmark 150th year thanks to the entrepreneurialism and dedication of our Joint Chairmen, Brian and Alan. Their MBEs are richly deserved and we are tremendously proud of their incredible achievements, both today and over the course of their 50 plus years with the business.”

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Xtralite joins BIM library

The national BIM (Building Information Modelling) library has proved hugely successful to architects and specifiers for both new build construction and retro-fit renovation projects with a wide variety of products available.

Now, a leading rooflight manufacturer has added a range of its products to the library so that this important element of allowing natural light into buildings, providing ventilation, and complying with associated standards and regulations can be addressed at the time of specification.

“BIM is a very useful tool and one that we are proud to be associated with,” said Jim Lowther, sales director Xtralite. “We appreciate the importance of the tool during the specification process and how it supports the digital construction process delivering greater efficiencies and flexibilities in building design.”

Many products, including Xtralite’s X2 range, are featured with National NBS BIM library which also includes all technical specifications such as UV ratings, dimensions and suitability statistics.

“Detailed architectural specification can be achieved at all stages of projects now and BIM permits those specifications to be amended with ease to ensure client, construction, historic property considerations and industry regulations are adhered to,” said Jim. “The range of products we offer through this facilitate a number of solutions to roof lights requirements and full technical details are provided to aid specification.”

The range of products available are from the leading X2 range which allows specification for differing roof insulation thicknesses that historically have proved problematic.

“Our X2 range offers greater flexibility with its unique design but also addresses requirements for increased sustainability and building performance,” said Jim. “Our involvement with BIM re-enforces our commitment to working with all sectors of the construction industry to promote better building design both aesthetically and practically.”

Further information can be found by visiting www.xtralite.co.uk or by calling 01670 354 157 or visiting www.nationalbimlibrary.com/xtralite
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New warehouse space at Reynaers Birmingham HQ boosts capacity

Leading aluminium systems company Reynaers has benefited from a brand new warehouse facility at its new premises in Birmingham.

More than £6 million has been invested by Reynaers into the new HQ in Hollymoor Way, Northfield, thanks to ongoing success in the UK market.

Hugh Moss, Head of Marketing at Reynaers, said “The new warehouse has meant that our stock holding capacity has increased by almost 150%. This has allowed us to stock a more comprehensive range of systems and colours, reducing lead times to customers and increased our offerings in terms of stock.”

A dedicated showroom featuring Reynaers’ commercial, trade and high-end domestic products is now being built, as well as a brand new Training Centre and new installation rig designed for development, training and testing.

Further reinforcing its presence in the trade sector, Reynaers also exhibited its products for the first time at last month’s FiT Show.

Visit Reynaers’ website to see the stand’s highlights and an interview with Reynaers’ Managing Director Justin Hunter. Contact 0121 421 1999, email: reynaersltd@reynaers.com, or see the website: www.reynaers.co.uk to visit the new HQ.
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Kingspan takes the devil out of detailing

Kingspan Insulation has released a new technical bulletin and RIBA approved CPD article, designed to support enhanced detailing. The documents explore the effects of linear thermal bridging around openings in the building envelope, and present new research on the subject, allowing specifiers to use Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer as a premium performance, one-size-fits-most solution.

The CPD article and technical bulletin are based on a thermal modelling study of jamb details by BRE Scotland. The study covers a variety of cavity wall constructions closed using Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer. The calculated ψ–values within the study are considerably better than those given in the SAP Table K1 “Approved” column (which reflect the values given in “Accredited Construction Details”) and, in the BRE’s opinion, are equally applicable to the equivalent sill details.

Importantly, the resulting ψ–values can also be used as a “safe approximation”, for frame depths and overlaps (between the frame and Kingspan Kooltherm Cavity Closer) for a broad range of constructions. This makes it simpler for designers to specify enhanced detailing around openings in the building envelope.

To quantify the level of improvement, Kingspan Insulation goes on to compare the transmission heat transfer coefficient (HTB) calculated using the “safe approximation” ψ–values from Table 1 with that calculated using jamb and sill ψ–values from the SAP Table K1 “Approved” column, for four different dwellings. The HTB calculated using the “safe approximation” ψ–values is significantly better (up to 13% better) than that calculated using ψ–values from the SAP Table K1 “Approved” column.

The accredited CPD article is worth double points to RIBA Chartered Architects and can be accessed from the RIBA CPD website. Alternatively, the full technical bulletin – including the safe approximation ψ–values and relevant constructions – can be downloaded directly from www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/psidetails
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Metsec opens this year’s apprenticeship applications

voestalpine Metsec plc has announced its plans to offer five more apprenticeships, with applications now open until the end of June.

Having employed nearly 50 engineering apprentices over the last two decades, the Black Country-based firm is continuing its commitment to bridging the skills gap and developing the next generation of engineers with its renewal of the award-winning training scheme.

Steve Giles, environmental, safety and training manager at Metsec, said “As an organization, we heavily focus on skills and best practice. We’re actively working towards ensuring 20% of our workforce comes from apprenticeships, and this year’s applications are a further commitment to that figure.

“As a leading specialist in cold roll forming, we believe the way to maintain our position of strength in the market is by passing our knowledge down and what better way than to continue our focus on nurturing young talent with a new round of apprenticeships.”

The apprenticeship scheme has seen success for both Metsec and its staff since its inception in 1998, with employees now at managerial and even director level within the business having started their careers on the scheme. Successful apprentices will learn basic metal working skills in the first year, with the opportunity to continue onto an advanced apprenticeship and obtain an NVQ Level 3.

Metsec is one of the few engineering companies to run an in-house apprenticeship scheme without external support and has previously been named Express & Star’s ‘Apprentice Employer of the Year’ and ‘Business of the Year’ at the Business is Good for the Black Country Awards.

Applications for the Metsec apprenticeship scheme are open now until the end of June, for apprentices to start in September.

For more information visit http://www.metsec.com/sustainability/apprenticeships/
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Rinnai takes on Man V Machine challenge

Rinnai, manufacturer of the market leading Infinity hot water heating units, has started a challenge that puts its product against tough opposition in the form of super league rugby team Widnes Vikings.

Rinnai, an official sponsor of the Widnes Vikings rugby league club, put its Infinity water heaters head to head with the players in a contest of Man v Machine. The result is a series of YouTube videos that, right from kick off, see the Rinnai brand putting in a sterling performance.

The challenge laid down to the Vikings was:

  • Rinnai water heaters can produce 1000+ litres from a unit weighing just 31kg. How quickly can a professional rugby player pull this weight against his peers?
  • Rinnai water heaters are accurate to 1°C of the chosen set point but how accurate are the Vikings?

After putting the team members through their paces in two gruelling playoffs, Gil Dudson, Vikings front row, headed the leader board for the club overall on both tasks – pulling 180 kgs in 10.93 seconds (most stored hot water systems are considerably heavier that Rinnai’s sprightly 31kg) and kicking the oval ball at a Rinnai unit to test accuracy – and the Rinnai units won hands down for specifiers, installers and end users alike.

Chris Goggin, Rinnai, says: “Relentless durability is a key feature of the Rinnai range of gas fired water heaters and that is the message we are aiming to get across by pairing with Widnes Vikings for this YouTube campaign. This is a brand-heavy, mass media campaign targeted at increasing market awareness, albeit in a light-hearted manner.

“The videos have been viewed on various platforms more than 21,000 times to date and impressions from the joint campaign with Widnes Viking platforms have created more than 55,000 to our Twitter profile. We are encouraging our customers to use the Rinnai/Vikings YouTube videos in their marketing, too, to raise awareness of the Rinnai brand to their clients.”

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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