New RIBA-assessed flowing floor screeds CPD by Saint-Gobain Weber

Saint-Gobain Weber, the leading manufacturer of innovative high performance products, systems and technologies for the construction industry, is pleased to introduce their new CPD: ‘Introduction into Flowing Floor Screeds’.

In the industrial environment speed, strength and durability are key to a successful floor installation. Weber’s technically superior range of industrial floor screeds provide these essential attributes creating stronger, smoother, longer lasting floors. The speed of application is up to ten times faster than traditional screeds and the fast drying/curing properties allow forklift traffic or resin to be applied within 24 hours. In the commercial and residential sector Weber’s range of floor screed products have been designed for optimum speed that are capable of achieving a smooth surface that is ready for foot traffic after only a few hours and can be covered with a soft floor covering in just 24 hours. A variety of ancillary products support both ranges and include water-borne primer, glass fibre net, dB matting for impact sound reduction on floors, and a highly moisture tolerant, epoxy resin damp proof system.

This comprehensive CPD presentation covers many subjects from why and where to use floor systems; the attributes of commercial floors; design considerations; the demands of the finished floor that will have an influence on specification, through to renovation, fast-track construction and drying times.

“New content has been designed into this CPD which we know is essential for architects, main contractors, interior designers and applicators,” says Tracey Dempster, head of marketing, Saint-Gobain Weber. “This includes quality control procedures; the benefits of cementitious screeds over traditional screeds; moisture consideration and acoustic flooring system solutions. We’ve also included an application video showing our weberfloor 4310 fibre flow pump-applied, fibre-reinforced smoothing compound as we know this is of essential interest to both designers and applicators.”

British Standards are fully explained in the new Weber CPD and cover use and application of floor screeds; manufacturers’ test data and certification; compliance to an ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 quality system and workmanship on site which is covered by BS 800 part 9.

Now available in PowerPoint format, this one hour long RIBA-Assessed CPD can be presented by Weber’s Specification Team at your premises or at a Saint-Gobain facility or Technical Academy anywhere in the UK. This service is free of charge and available on request.

Weber floor screeds are manufactured in the UK ensuring efficient availability and lead times, adding to the company’s environmental and sustainability policies, reduced CO₂ emissions and transportation costs.

For more information about this CPD, to make a booking, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. Alternatively, bookings can be made by email: mail@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.

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Material prices continue to rocket

More than half of small building firms say that rising material prices are squeezing their margins and the same percentage have had to pass these price increases onto consumers, according to the latest research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Small and medium-sized (SME) building firms were asked which materials are in shortest supply and have the longest wait times. The average results were as follows (in order of longest to shortest wait times):

  • Bricks were in shortest supply with the longest reported wait time being more than one year
  • Roof tiles were second with the longest reported wait time being up to six months
  • Insulation was third with the longest reported wait time being up to four months
  • Slate was fourth with the longest reported wait time being up to six months
  • Windows were fifth with the longest reported wait time being more than one year
  • Blocks were sixth with the longest reported wait time being up to four months
  • Porcelain products were seventh with the longest reported wait time being more than one year
  • Plasterboard was eighth with the longest reported wait time being up to two months
  • Timber was ninth with the longest reported wait time being up to two months
  • Boilers were tenth, with the longest reported wait time being more than one year

SME building firms were also asked by what percentage different materials have increased over the past 12 months. On average, the following rises were reported:

  • Insulation increased by 16%
  • Bricks increased by 9%
  • Timber increased by 8%
  • Roof tiles increased by 8%
  • Slate increased by 8%
  • Windows increased by 7%
  • Blocks increased by 7%
  • Plasterboard increased by 7%
  • Boilers increased by 7%
  • Porcelain products increased by 6%

The impact of these material price increases includes:

  • More than half of construction SMEs (56%) have had their margins squeezed, this has gone up from one third (32%) reporting this in July 2017
  • Half of firms (49%) have been forced to pass material price increases onto their clients, making building projects more expensive for consumers, this has gone up from less than one quarter (22%) reporting this in July 2017
  • A third of firms (30%) have recommended that clients use alternative materials or products to those originally specified, this has gone up from one in ten reporting this in July 2017
  • Nearly one fifth (17%) of builders report making losses on their building projects due to material price increases, this has gone up from one in ten reporting this in July 2017

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said “Material prices have rocketed over the past year. The reason for this could include the impact of the depreciation of sterling following the EU referendum still feeding through. High demand due to buoyant international markets could also be contributing to price increases. What’s particularly worrying is that when prices have increased mid-project, almost one fifth of builders have absorbed the increase and therefore made a loss. Also, if material price increases weren’t enough of a headache for building firms, they are also experiencing material shortages with wait times ticking up across a range of materials and products. Worst case scenarios include firms waiting for more than one year for a new order of bricks.”

“The rise in material prices is not just a problem for the country’s construction firms – it is also a problem for home owners. Half of firms have been forced to pass these price increases onto their clients, meaning building projects are becoming more and more expensive. This problem has worsened recently with more than twice as many firms passing material prices on to their clients now compared with nine months ago. What’s more, home owners should be prepared to have to use alternative materials or products to their first choice. One third of firms have recommended that their clients should use alternative materials or products to those originally specified. Now more than ever, it’s important that builders and their clients keep the lines of communication open in order to stay within time and within budget. Specified products or materials may need to be swapped for alternatives or clients will need to accept the additional cost.”

“We are calling on builders merchants to give their customers as much advance warning of forthcoming material prices increases or wait times as possible so that firms can warn their customers and plan ahead. We are also advising builders to price jobs and draft contracts with these material price rises in mind. The FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey shows that almost ninety per cent of building firms are expecting further rises over the next sixth months. This makes quoting for jobs difficult but if builders flag the issue to their client from the outset, and include a note in the contract that prices may be subject to increases, they shouldn’t be left short. What we don’t want is for the number of building firms making losses on projects to increase as this could result in firms going to the wall. A large number of collapsing construction companies will have a terrible knock-on effect in the wider economy.”

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Armstrong Ceilings offers community groups a New Beginning

The use of its new Dune eVo tile on a recent, volunteer-run project has prompted Armstrong Ceiling Solutions to launch a competition via social media which gives a community organisation the chance to win a new ceiling.

The next-generation, ultra-green Dune eVo tile was specified by Maber architects for a new bunkhouse for the Drum Hill Scout Campsite in Derbyshire. The tile, which is 100% recyclable, provides class-leading visuals and improved acoustic performance through a new surface which is both brighter and smoother.

As the new bunkhouse signifies a new beginning for the delighted Derbyshire scouts now Armstrong wants to offer the same opportunity to other community groups through its #eVoNewBeginnings campaign.

As Scout Felix Hughes (pictured right with Explorer Scout Libby Halford) said: “I think it’s a really nice place. It looks a lot better than the old one and it’s a lot more friendly and inviting. It will make a big difference because there is now a lot more opportunity to do stuff than there used to be.
The competition 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.* The competition is open to any non-commercial project in the UK and Ireland that serves the community

The #eVoNewBeginnings campaign will run on the manufacturer’s social media sites (Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest) throughout May (when the Drum Hill bunkhouse is officially opened) as well as June (Dune eVo’s first-year anniversary), with competition entries judged by two internal and one external judge from Armstrong’s charity of choice Rays of Sunshine. The winner will be the one that most captured their imagination.

Scout Leader and associate director at Maber Lee Smith said of the new Dune eVo tile: “I think it’s another advancement for the ceiling tile in terms of the specification and the acoustic delivery.”

“As a long-time specifier over the past 12 years working in architecture I trust and know the Armstrong product range will deliver what we want, giving us quality and robustness within our budget range.”

On volunteering his time and expertise, he said: “The project is difficult to value due to the generosity of numerous local companies and volunteers giving their free time. If we had approached a main contractor to deliver it would probably be in the region of £600,000 to £700,000 to deliver the scheme.”

Kevin Leahy of Peveril Interiors who installed Dune eVo at the scout bunkhouse, said: “It has been a rewarding project for us. The Scouts association is giving young people from all backgrounds shared experiences that will really equip them with skills that will last a lifetime. To play a small part in that feels pretty good.

“Adding the new Dune eVo tile to the range has gone down really well with both the clients who value the aesthetics and performance and our installation teams who value the new tougher edge which gives a much better installation experience.”

Volunteer camp site manager and project manager Lesley Upton said: “I think it’s amazing what can be done by volunteers giving their time and companies supporting us to provide an outstanding building.”

She said Dune eVo’s recyclability had played a “really important” role. “We need to stop using new resources all the time and use the stuff that we have got on this planet.”

To be in with a chance of winning a #eVoNewBeginnings for your community space, complete a short entry form about the project, detailing why it should win and uploading a photo of the existing building, at www.new-beginnings.com.
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Rinnai is happy motoring aboard the Bedroam bus

Rinnai, the leader in continuous flow gas fired water heater systems, has had one its products featured on prime-time television, being a fleeting start of the small screen. The Rinnai product, a 17e, was on Channel 4’s “Amazing Spaces” presented by George Clarke

‘Bedroam’ is the brainchild of Ollie Kemp, a farmer, motor racing competitor and enthusiast from Melbourne, Yorkshire. He realized there was a lack of onsite accommodation at events that would allow competitors to stay close to their expensive and irreplaceable racing gear and has been quick to come up with an innovative idea.

The constructive and enterprising result of Ollie Kemp’s well observed discontent is the Bedroam bus, complete with 18 Japanese-style pod bedrooms. As well as using it himself for motorsport meets, Bedroam is available to hire. “If you can’t get a hotel when you’re going to a wedding or don’t want to camp at a festival then this is the perfect solution,” he told George Clarke of ‘Amazing Spaces’. Ollie’s industrious endeavouring has resulted with his new business being inundated with bookings.

The Bedroam has two fully-equipped and fully-functional bathrooms with shower, toilet and sink. Sinks and showers are supplied with safe temperature controlled hot water from Rinnai Infinity water heaters working on LPG, complete with MC91 controller, via motion sensor-operated taps. Two Rinnai Infinity 17e external units fitted to the back of the bus drawing water from a bespoke designed tank designed and supplied by Barratt Tanks of Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire.

Bedroam also features a range of added contemporary mod-cons for both indoor comfort and outdoor accessibility. Air conditioning, flat screen TVs, comfortable communal area and a multifunctional outdoor space provided by an enclosed awning are also included.

“I first saw the units in operation at an event where there were luxury mobile showers powered by Rinnai products. On my return, I researched Rinnai online and spoke to my friend Andy, a registered Gas Safe engineer also based in Melbourne, who then ordered and undertook the installation.” Andy Dixon, who runs his own plumbing and heating service, explains:

“The units had to go on the back of the bus as Ollie was struggling to find enough space inside. As the bus has an air con system, I had already put a cooling radiator off the back, so the two Rinnai units sat very handily behind that simply hung on a metal grid attached to the back of the bus.

“Piping was easy. I used plastic pipework for both hot and cold outlets running to a little plant room where the back seats of the bus were originally which is directly beneath the bathrooms from where the water is pumped to the header tank via a small 12V.

“Rinnai’s technical guys were very helpful when I phoned them initially for some advice and installation of the units was really easy. I will definitely be using Rinnai again,” says Andy.

The most recent event for the Bedroam was a River Rat Race, which involves contestants doing a 6-kilometer run with obstacles followed by a river swim. The organisers used the Bedroam for their HQ and for the principal runners to shower. They were very happy as the boilers provided more than enough hot water for everybody. An impressive example of efficiency in performance when considering multiple runners would have required showers at separate times throughout the day and night.

“Demand for the Bedroam is phenomenal and I am thinking about building more, maybe even franchising the concept. Rinnai will definitely be used if and when I go ahead with that,’ concludes Ollie.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Win a trip to Bauhausfest with Altro

Altro is celebrating aspirational design and innovative use of its flooring and walling products with a unique photography competition. The prize is an all-inclusive trip to the internationally-renowned Bauhausfest (31 August – 2 September 2018) in Dessau, Germany.

Entrants are invited to submit images featuring current Altro products taken anywhere in the world over the last five years. Images should show how Altro products complement and enrich architecture – a celebration of the possibilities of design. The winning image will be decided by an online public vote.

Altro has long been inspired by The Bauhaus. This connection was strengthened further when leading German flooring company Debolon joined the Altro Group two years ago: Altro Debolon is based in Dessau, the centre of the Bauhaus movement.

“We have a strong sense of what we value and a way of thinking inspired by The Bauhaus – a balance of quality, form and design-led function,” explains Sarah de los Rios Commercial and Marketing Director at Altro. “This approach puts people’s needs at the heart of everything we do. It’s a human-centred approach to designing for the demands of 21st century life.”

Photographs can be submitted from 3 to 24 April 2018. Voting opens on 26 April 2018 and closes 17 May, 2018. Visit www.altro.co.uk/photocompetition2018 to find out more.
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A new captain takes the helm at Evinox Energy

Evinox is thrilled to announce that Terry Mahoney has taken the helm as its new Managing Director. Terry originally joined Evinox in 2010 and through his most recent role as Operations Director has been pivotal to much of the company’s recent success, including the delivery and ongoing support of key projects – such as Battersea Power Station; and the evolution of Evinox’s manufacturing capability.

Terry said of his new position “I’m delighted and flattered to be appointed as Managing Director at Evinox. This is an exciting time for the business, with planning regulations and government policy continuing to support the deployment of district and communal heating, the market continues to thrive and evolve. Evinox has seen a strong growth in sales over the past 12 months, and with product innovation and development at the forefront of the company strategy this is only set to increase”.

He continued “As an established, marketing leading heat interface unit manufacturer, Evinox offers innovative products that are built with quality components and assembled to world class manufacturing standards. This has been confirmed by the Impressive efficiency performance achieved by the Evinox ModuSat heat interface unit, which was tested to the UK standard from BESA.”

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) UK test standard for heat interface units (HIUs) was recently introduced to enable designers and specifiers to evaluate the performance of a HIU on their network. Currently, only a handful of manufacturers have published results for the HIU test regime, with Evinox being one of the first to undertake the testing process. The results achieved provide a clear, independently verified confirmation that the Evinox ModuSat® XR HIU range delivers outstanding heating and hot water efficiency performance for modern heat networks – something the team at Evinox are very proud of.

The strong growth in sales reported, can be clearly demonstrated by the calibre of clients and projects that Evinox are working with. Evinox is already in the process of delivering over 1700 heating and cooling interface units for projects in Canary Wharf and over 1000 units for the same client on a prestigious project on the South Bank in central London. At the same time, the company has also been successful in securing orders for over 700 heat interface units on the latest phase of the London City Island development in Greenwich. In addition to this, Evinox’s metering and billing services continue to grow, with contracts for hundreds of heat network schemes for both private and social housing across the UK, providing bills for over 10,000 customers each year, with many, many more using the Evinox PaySmart pre-payment system.

Mahoney believes that it is a combination of the comprehensive product range and support services that Evinox offers, with the dedication of the Evinox team and keeping ahead of evolving industry standards that has spurred on the company’s recent success. The ability to offer options for heating and cooling, integrated energy display solutions and billing-ready options set Evinox HIU’s apart from others in the market.

Terry summarised by saying, “I’m an advocate of the “Under one roof” business model, which allows Evinox to combine first class product supply, flexible metering and billing solutions, and service and maintenance support – making us stand out from the crowd!”

For further information about our integrated communal & district heating solutions, please contact us by emailing info@evinoxenergy.co.uk or visit www.evinoxenergy.co.uk
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RCM Are Growing!

RCM are happy to announce that we have recently moved offices and warehouse location to a much bigger facility allowing us to accommodate our increase in demand.

The new buildings sit just across from our old offices and warehouse and our address has largely remained the same, except we now occupy units 25 and 26, instead of previously, unit 27.

The new, much needed space will allow RCM to expand its cutting facilities and therefore provide additional support to its customers, new and old alike.

As our staff numbers also look set to increase over time, especially with RCM’s ever expanding portfolio, these larger offices are set to provide additional room for everyone.

It is an exciting time for RCM and this move will mark another chapter in its history.

Through our continued growth, we have become a major leader in our field.

Originally established in 2004, RCM is a major supplier of complete through wall solutions to the UK construction industry. Supplying specialist building boards, façades, breather membranes and airtightness solutions, We offer a fully integrated approach to the building envelope whilst delivering on time and budget.

We are a market leader in providing innovative products and solutions; finding the latest technology is an ethos which lies at the very heart of our business and one which separates us from the competition.

At our core, we supply a varied range of cement based building boards, offering a solution for all structural applications. From timber to steel frame, high to low rise, internal to external wall linings and buildings with high weather exposure, we offer a solution.

At the forefront of industry research and development, we constantly strive to innovate and develop our range of solutions. By providing a complete solution, from a single supplier, we can help reduce costs, time and hassle.

We work openly in collaboration with clients and supply-chain partners to mutual benefit to ensure that the most efficient and appropriate solutions can be found for every project. We take great care to ensure that we offer a complete service, from initial advice through to delivery. Our experienced and complimentary technical support team can provide advice at all stages of your project to help you achieve your vision. In addition, a fully integrated fabrication service allows customers to order both boards and façades to exact size in order to reduce construction time, minimise wastage and improve environmental impact.

Our extensive product range has been installed on many of the largest construction projects throughout the UK. RCM has experience across all market sectors including timber frame, lightweight steel frame, modular, offsite, healthcare, education, residential, leisure and transport.

For more information please visit www.buildingboards.co.uk.
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Rinnai hot water – instant, continuous, limitless and sensibly economic

Rinnai’s Infinity range of ErP A-rated continuous flow gas fired water heaters now includes many models specifically designed for all light commercial and larger domestic sites. The Rinnai units guarantee the highest efficiencies and lowest running costs at consistent temperatures 24/7 compared to any method of hot water delivery in lighter commercial sites.

The Rinnai Infinity range of continuous flow – sometimes referred to as ‘tankless’ – water heating units are being specified and installed in domestic properties, cafes, pubs, restaurants, offices, shops, hairdressers, commercial units, caravan parks and leisure facilities as installers and end users become aware of their energy & cost saving benefits.

The reason for the increase in uptake is that continuous flow heater systems are proven to be more energy efficient than conventional storage systems and are now experts’ preferred method of hot water provision. Rinnai units easily cater for any size projects that need high volumes of water at intermittent times of day delivered at accurate Rinnai’s Infinity multipoint 16i water heater, for example, eliminates the problem of sudden changes in water temperature, resulting in cold showers or scalding hot baths – the water temperature you set is the water temperature you get. So, if somebody is happily showering at 42°C and a tap is turned on to draw a bath elsewhere in the property, the temperature does not vary, and there is no chance of either user running out of hot water.

The Rinnai Infinity 16i interior model measures 675 x 370 x 139mm and weighs in at 18kg – a one-man lift. The room sealed unit has a temperature range of 35°C to 60°C with direct electronic ignition. Gas consumption ranges between 4.7kW-6.5kW for Natural Gas and 4.9kW-36.8kW when using propane. Hot water delivery flow is an impressive 16ltr max flow. Nominal operation pressure is 1-7 bar and it uses a 230V AC 50Hz 1ph power supply with an electrical consumption of 68W.

Meanwhile, where an external installation is required, the Rinnai Infinity 17e external multipoint water heater offers greater flexibility at the design stage and offers a viable solution where flue runs are problematic or internal space is not available. Capable of flow rates of up to 510 litres per hour at a 50°C rise, the 17e is suitable for multiple applications and can be specified for use with Natural Gas or propane.

The 17e has full frost protection and is available with a range of external ancillary items, including pipe cover box – and security cage where necessary.

The Infinity 11i interior unit differs from the 16i as it weighs 2kg less at 16kg and consumes 6.10kW-21.60kW of Natural Gas and has an 11-metre maximum flow.

Restaurants and domestic properties are prime examples of sites that can truly benefit from continuous water as they require high volumes at intermittent times of the day delivered at accurate temperatures to ensure user comfort and safety, making Rinnai Multipoint Tankless 11i the ideal solution to your hot water requirements.

Key Features of the 24kW Rinnai 11i are: Compact & lightweight unit for easy installation; Robust, durable heat exchanger; User friendly digital controls; In-built frost protection; Ideal replacement for large obtrusive and bulky cylinder; Compact design to fit a limited space.

Continuous flow water heaters are also favoured under the guidance of ACOP L8 (Legionella guidelines) as the units are usually cited close to the outlets in such installations as restaurants, where the system turnover is frequent and store volumes are small meaning legionella risk is minimal.

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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P C Henderson wins export award at this year’s North East Business Awards

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, has been crowned the winner in the Export category at this years’ North East Business Awards – Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside region.

Shortlisted against two other leading companies from the region, P C Henderson went through two rounds of judging before being announced as the winner at a prestigious awards dinner held at Ramside Hall in Durham.

The awards, held in association with the North East England Chamber of Commerce, is the biggest of its kind in the UK and aims to celebrate successful and innovative businesses achieving fantastic things in the North East of England. Attended by over 400 people, a total of 12 awards were given out on the evening across a variety of categories. P C Henderson will now go on to compete against the winners of the Northumberland and Teesside heats in order to win the overall Export Award for the North East of England.

Commenting on the good news, Trevor Cossins, Managing Director at P C Henderson, said “We are delighted to be once again recognised for our exporting achievements. Taking a tailored and localised approach to each specific market has allowed us to significantly grow and sustain the exporting side of the business. This has resulted in us now exporting to over 70 countries worldwide and our export sales accounting for over 65% of our total business sales”.

Sponsored by the Port of Sunderland, the Export Award aims to encourage and recognise companies that have generated substantial and sustained increases in export activity. Judging criteria for the award took into account the level of exports in relation to the size of the company, barriers that the company has had to overcome as well as the complexity of markets entered.

Paul Olvhoj, Sales Manager at Port of Sunderland and a member of the judging panel for the award commented “In a very strong category we believe P C Henderson showed a real strategy for growth into new markets, they really impressed with a clear global vision backed up by strong marketing work”.

This is now the second time that P C Henderson has been commended for its exporting successes and achievements, the company was awarded SME Exporter of the Year at last year’s North East Export Awards.

P C Henderson has been driving its expansion into new geographic markets with recent focus on USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and UAE. The company’s outstanding export strategy has seen its sliding and folding door hardware specified across the globe in hotels, restaurants, offices, shops, homes, warehouses as well as agricultural, industrial and educational buildings.

For more information please visit www.pchenderson.com.
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Altro retains its place in the prestigious Sunday Times Top 100

Altro has been ranked 83 in the coveted Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2018 list. This is the 11th time the family-founded, Letchworth-based company has featured in this prestigious list.

The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list is the annual ranking of ‘the cream of Britain’s happy and motivated workforces’. With more than 1,000 companies registered to take part, it is considered the most extensive research into employee engagement carried out in the UK.

Altro’s 350 UK employees were invited to take part in the survey, which asked questions about how the support they receive from the company, their training and development and opportunities for career growth, amongst others. The company again scored well, showing a continued commitment to employees.

Altro’s CEO, Richard Kahn, said “We are delighted to be selected for the eleventh time as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the UK. Since 1919 we have kept an ethos of family in the workplace, as we value our employees and the contributions they make. We are happy to see that our employees agree, which means we are continuing to provide a supportive and family-orientated environment that we have always committed ourselves to for nearly 100 years.

 

For more information please visit www.altro.co.uk.
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