JB Kind launches innovative new PAS 24 compliant door leaf

Fully compliant door leaf is the foundation of new fire resistant PAS 24 security entrance doorsets

Derbyshire-based door distributor JB Kind is launching its new PAS 24 door leaf to doorset manufacturers, and its PAS 24 fire resistant security doorsets service to developers, architects and specifiers, after investing in an innovative new door core which has met the stringent set of standards required to be awarded the PAS 24 accreditation.

Forming the basis of the company’s new PAS 24 fire resistant, security doorsets, the new PAS 24 door leaf enables manufacturers to use it within their current offering, or for residential developers to purchase fully assembled PAS 24 compliant entrance doorsets.

New PAS 24 products offer benefits for manufacturers, developers and architects

Doorset fabricators are able to integrate JB Kind’s innovative new door leaf into their current product ranges whereas developers are able to specify PAS 24 compliant doorsets, in both standard and bespoke sizes, and in a wide range of alternative finishes. Architects and specifiers now have the option to request the new JB Kind fire resistant PAS 24 doorsets, as well as its matching internal doorset counterparts.

Stylish PAS 24 compliant entrance doorsets also incorporate acoustic and smoke standards

Suitable for apartment and flat entrances, and compatible with a range of door designs and styles, developers, architects and specifiers can choose from a selection of veneered, painted and primed finishes, available as plain flush or with a number of grooved design options, all with the knowledge that whichever they choose, the security doorsets have met the stringent PAS 24 criteria.

The four core criteria to achieve a PAS 24 accreditation

The new fire resistant security doorsets met four core standards in order to achieve PAS 24 accreditation:

  • PAS 24: 2016 Enhanced Security performance test for doorsets
  • Fire test to EN 1634 part 1
  • Acoustic test to BS EN ISO 10140
  • Smoke control test to BS EN 1634 part 3

 

Simon Johnson, JB Kind Sales Director notes:

“The new fully compliant PAS 24 door leaf we’ve created will enable door manufacturers to use it within their doorsets, developers to offer stylish flat and/or apartment building PAS 24 entrance doorsets and architects and specifiers to request our doors as part of their planning and design processes.

“All our PAS 24 fire doors are third party Certifire approved by Warringtonfire, with a fire rating of 30 minutes, EI30, and as an additional benefit, the PAS 24 doorsets have also been successfully tested for both acoustic and smoke control.

“The PAS 24 security fire doorsets are supplied fully assembled, pre-hung, complete with high quality fully-tested ironmongery, and are available in standard and bespoke sizes. We can also provide matching internal doorsets if a developer would like a specific style theme throughout their building.”

The new range of PAS 24 doorsets encompass everything a door manufacturer, developer or architect would want to see included, with the knowledge that, in line with JB Kind’s 150-year track record, its quality doorsets will be manufactured to the highest standard and will observe the most recent performance and legislative requirements – all at an exceptionally competitive price.

A JB Kind PAS 24 Security Fire Doorset offers peace of mind

√ PAS 24 Enhanced Security

√ Certifire approved EI30 fire doors

√ Acoustic rated

√ Smoke control tested

√ Fully assembled flat entrance doorsets

√ Certified ironmongery with optional extras

√ Flexible design & finish options

√ Standard and bespoke sizes

√ Matching interior doorsets

Simon concludes:

“We developed our fully compliant PAS 24 door leaf as the basis of our PAS 24 fire resistant security doorsets. Incorporating all the extra elements a security door would value, such as noise reduction and smoke control, we have created stylishly flexible options for our developer, architect and specifier partners, as well as a quality PAS 24 door leaf product for our manufacturing colleagues to use in their own doorset designs.

“Using a JB Kind PAS 24 door leaf, or choosing JB Kind security doorsets, will offer you complete assurance that all of the PAS 24 criteria have been met and that you will receive a fully compliant and certified doorset, alongside excellent service and all the expertise that you need.”

 

For more technical details about the PAS 24 security doorsets,

JB Kind has produced a factsheet,

to download please CLICK HERE

   

Alternatively, prospective or current customers can

contact the JB Kind Sales Team on

01283 554 197

   

OR CLICK HERE TO EMAIL JB KIND

 

 

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Solar Array Connects Directly to National Grid

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Image Alexander Parkyn-Smith

The first photovoltaic (PV) solar array to connect directly to the electricity transmission network in the UK was energised this week as National Grid connected Enso Energy and Cero Generation’s new 50 MW Larks Green solar farm to its Iron Acton substation near Bristol.

This follows installation of new switchgear at the site by Cero and Enso in collaboration with National Grid, and the running of a high voltage cable between the substation and solar farm, which has enabled National Grid to successfully connect the 49.9 MW Larks Green solar farm to its Iron Acton substation near Bristol.

The solar plant comprises 152 400 solar modules installed in a 200-acre plot near National Grid’s 400 kV Iron Acton substation.

It will generate over 73 000 MWh/y – enough to power the equivalent of over 17 300 homes – and will displace 20 500 tpy of carbon dioxide compared to traditional energy production. This will provide a clean, secure, and cheaper power source for consumers.

The solar farm will be co-located with a 49.5 MW/99 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). By storing energy during peak power generation and exporting it back onto the grid when demand is high, the BESS will balance the intermittent energy production, maximise the site’s efficiency and allow a greater output of clean energy.

Until now, all of the UK’s solar farms have connected to the country’s distribution networks – the lower voltage regional grids that carry power from the high voltage transmission network to homes and businesses. Connecting solar power directly to National Grid’s transmission network marks a significant step in the renewable energy transition, allowing clean energy to be transported over greater distances and opening a gateway for larger projects to connect to the grid.

The announcement marks progress towards meeting Britain’s commitment to a fully decarbonised power system by 2035. The government’s recent Powering up Britain report re-affirmed its ambition for a five-fold increase in deployment of solar generation by 2035, with up to 70 GW installed – enough to power around 20 million homes.

The design and layout for the co-located solar farm and BESS will produce a net biodiversity gain. This will be achieved through the provision of a range of resources for local wildlife, including additional woodland planting, that will provide shelter and food for a range of protected species.

Roisin Quinn, Director of Customer Connections at National Grid, said:

“Solar power has a critical role to play in the clean energy transition, so connecting the first PV array to our high voltage transmission network represents a key step on that journey, and a great achievement by Cero, Enso and our engineering teams.

“This net zero milestone comes as we’re investing in the biggest upgrade to the grid in a generation, enabling more home-grown renewable electricity to power the country than ever before.

“We want to connect more, and faster, and are working with government, Ofgem, and industry to reform the connections process to accelerate Britain’s transition to a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system.”

Marta Martinez Queimadelos, CEO of Cero Generation, added:

 

“We’re proud to be celebrating a major step in the UK’s renewable energy mission and in our journey into battery storage, recognising the vast benefits of co-location in moving the green transition forward and contributing to our mission of delivering a net-zero future, for this and every generation. As the country’s first solar project to connect to the transmission network, it represents true innovation that paves the way for others to follow and enable the rapid deployment of much more clean energy.

“The Larks Green project is not only a significant milestone for Cero and an opportunity to initiate our BESS pipeline, but it represents a significant contribution to the UK’s goals to reach net zero. I’m immensely proud of the dedication and collaboration of the Cero, Enso and National Grid teams in achieving this important milestone in the UK’s energy transition.”

Ian Harding, Co-Founder and Director of Enso Energy, concluded:

“The connection of this solar farm at Larks Green is the culmination of a lot of hard work by all the Enso, Cero and National Grid teams involved. Completion of this project is a major milestone for renewable energy in the UK and provides further evidence that co-located solar and battery storage projects connecting directly to the transmission network will play an important role in the delivery of the UK’s net zero plans. We are now looking forward to working with Cero and National Grid to deliver the further pipeline of renewable energy projects in the UK portfolio to help achieve this ambition.”

Source: Energy Global

 

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Construction Ouput Continues to Increase

The construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) picked up in April, adding to the positive signs from other indicators that the economy is turning a corner.

At 51.1 in April, the latest PMI from S&P Global / CIPS UK pointed to only modest growth in construction output from 50.7 in March. But evidence of a significant easing in supply-chain frictions, a housing market proving more resilient than expected and the prospect of the wider economy returning to meaningful growth from the summer should lift the construction sector’s performance.

Construction still faces significant challenges. Higher interest rates will weigh on residential and commercial activity, changes to planning rules risk discouraging housebuilding, and still-serious financial pressures on households may hold back spending on home improvements.

However, housing market weakness appears to have passed its most significant point. Supply chain problems facing construction businesses have eased markedly, and more signs of a revival in consumer and business confidence should bolster the construction sector, as will falling energy costs and disinflationary pressures in general.

Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “The construction sector stretched out its current phase of expansion to three months in April, signalling a modest rebound from the downturn seen at the turn of the year. Commercial building work continued to outperform, helped by stabilising domestic economic conditions and a gradual rebound in business confidence. Civil engineering activity was also a driver of construction growth during April, with rising infrastructure work contributing to the best phase of expansion in this segment since the first half of 2022.

“However, the return to growth for UK construction output appears worryingly lopsided as residential work decreased for the fifth successive month. Extended delays on new housing starts were reported again in April, due to a considerable headwind from elevated mortgage rates and weak demand. While there have been some signs of a recent stabilisation in market conditions, this has yet to feed through to construction activity. In fact, the latest reduction in residential building was the fastest since May 2020.

“On a more positive note, the latest survey illustrated a further slowdown in input price inflation across the construction sector. Softer cost pressures partly reflected a sustained improvement in supply chain performance, with lead-times for deliveries of products and materials shortening to the greatest extent since September 2009.”

Dr John Glen, chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), said:

 

“The mixed picture found in the UK construction industry in April is representative of an economy still trying to recalibrate after being buffeted by the manifold challenges of political instability, lockdowns and supply chain pressures.

“The growth in the construction of commercial properties is welcome news, with the avoidance of a recession in the last quarter leading to clients being more willing to spend. The significant easing of supply chain disruption, with delays reduced and materials more readily available, also helped to alleviate cost pressures on the sector.

“However, the sharp decline in UK house building in April will be a cause for concern, as it becomes clear that the recent interest rate rises will continue to hamper consumer demand for some time to come. With a further rate rise expected next week there will be concerns that things will get worse before they get better for UK house builders.”

Yesterday, 12% of Scottish respondents to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Monitor said they believe workloads will be higher in a year’s time while, the latest State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) highlighted a rebound in repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) building work for the first three months of this year.

 

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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Flood Wall Nears Completion

THE final section of West Kirby’s controversial flood defence wall has been installed, but work on the project continues.

The 1.2metre wall was approved by a council committee in 2021, despite campaigners arguing it will stop people coming to the town.

The distinctive ‘wave’ design of the structure can now be seen.

In a statement issued on behalf of the contractors, the council said:

“The final pre-cast concrete section of the wall was installed on South Parade on Friday (April 27) meaning the construction of the flood wall at West Kirby is complete.

“There is still work ongoing, however, to finish highway and paving improvements, install the floodgates, put the slatted seating and memorial plaques onto the wall and reinstate the shelters.

“But with the wall structure in place and the majority of the pavement surfacing complete on the wall side of South Parade, the promenade at West Kirby is now more accessible to pedestrians than it has been for nearly 10 months – just in time for the first of a number of long weekends in May.”

During the meeting that led to the wall’s approval in 2021, it was heard that over the next 100 years, approximately 26 people would be at risk of being killed if protections are not put in place, and that more than 70 properties would also be protected by a flood wall.

But local campaigners believed the flood wall was “a threat to the appearance of the town”.

There had been local opposition to the planned flood defence wall since before planning permission was granted. More than 1125 signatures on an online petition and 257 comments on the planning portal.

In total 23 were in favour, of those 12 lived on South Parade.

198 were against it, of those over 40 lived on South Parade and the side roads.

A couple who live nearby said at the time the scheme was passed:

“As residents who live within yards of South Parade we regard the scheme as a scandalous folly in the making: exorbitant cost and irresponsible use of carbon-producing concrete for a barrier which is completely unnecessary and unwanted by the very large majority of the people it is claimed to protect, and which will spoil the promenade for the thousands who enjoy it.”

Source: Wirral Globe

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Clean Energy for Heavy Industry Requires Massive Uptick

The UK must install around 200GW of low-carbon energy infrastructure in the next 12 years if it is to have any hope of decarbonising power and ending heavy industry’s reliance on costly fossil fuels.

That is the conclusion of a new report from the Aldersgate Group, 27 April.

The report, published in collaboration with University College London (UCL), outlines the policy measures required to deliver a decarbonised power system and support the electrification of heavy industrial sectors, in line with net-zero by 2050.

It outlines how sectors like steel, cement, glass and chemicals will need to increasingly run on clean and affordable electricity in order to rapidly decarbonise and remain competitive.

A total of 15 policy interventions are recommended

Measures to upgrade the power grid, facilitate continued investment in renewables, enable direct access to low-cost renewable power for heavy industry, accelerate low-carbon innovation and support the competitiveness of UK industry.

To reach net-zero by 2050, UK industrial emissions must fall by 70% by 2035 and 90% by 2040.

In many heavy industrial sectors, electrifying manufacturing processes that rely on fossil fuels is key.

Clean electricity also has an important role to play to support other processes such as hydrogen production and the operation of carbon capture and storage.

In all cases, access to high volumes of low-carbon and affordable electricity will be vital to the successful decarbonisation of heavy industries and their ability to be competitive in the global transition to net zero emissions.

Aldersgate Group senior policy officer Laith Whitwham said:

 

“Decarbonising industrial processes might be a significant challenge, but it’s one that offers UK sectors like steel, cement and chemicals the opportunity to compete in new, quickly growing markets for greener goods.

“That means new jobs, growth, and exports, instead of a continuation of the struggle to compete against high carbon imports. But to make this move, low-carbon electricity is key.

“This report outlines the policies needed to decarbonise the UK’s electricity supply, and accelerate the rollout of the new industrial infrastructure through which it will flow.”

 

National Grid future markets manager for heat decarbonisation Niki Kesharaju added: “Decarbonising energy-intensive industrial processes will be crucial to ensure the UK meets its net-zero targets, and the recommendations in this report set out ambitious action to help drive progress.”

The report comes less than a month after the UK Government’s ‘Green Day’ of policy announcements, which some have criticised for failing to appropriately cover heavy industry.

Source: Eddie

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High-risk Buildings, who should register

The registration process for higher-risk buildings opened on 12 April 2023, and anyone responsible for registration must make sure their building has been registered by 1 October 2023, or face a possible fine or imprisonment. The key information about the registration process is set out below.

Which buildings need to be registered?

All higher-risk buildings which are occupied, including new buildings and existing buildings.

“Higher-risk building” means all high-rise residential buildings 18 metres tall or higher, or at least 7 storeys tall, with two or more residential units.

How many buildings are affected?

The government estimates there are currently 14,000 existing buildings that need to be registered, as well as any new buildings which qualify as “higher risk buildings”.

When does registration start?

The Building Safety (Registration of Higher-Risk Buildings and Review of Decisions)(England) Regulations 2023 came into force on 6 April, and the Building Safety Regulator opened the registration process on 12 April.

What is the deadline for registration?

Occupied higher-risk buildings must be registered by 1 October 2023, failing which penalties will apply (more information about the possible penalties is set out below).

Who is responsible for registration?

The Accountable Person (the person responsible for the building’s safety) is responsible for registering the building.

However, if there are multiple Accountable Persons, the “Principal Accountable Person” (or “PAP”) – which is essentially the person responsible for the walls and structure of the building – must take responsibility for registration.

The AP or PAP can authorise someone else – such as a managing agent – to register the building on their behalf, but responsibility stays with them.

How can I register my building?

The AP or PAP needs to follow the registration process on the government website (Register a high-rise residential building – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), pay the registration fee of £251 and provide:

  • information about why the building is higher-risk (including the number of floors, the height of the building, the number of residential units);
  • the address of the building;
  • the year it was built;
  • details of each Accountable Person and the “PAP”; and
  • details of the building certificate for a completed building (which will vary depending on when that certificate was issued, and whether it falls within the new building control regime under section 32 of the Building Safety Act 2022).

Do I need to do anything else after registering?

Yes – within 28 days of registration, the AP or PAP must then provide the information set out in theHigher Risk Buildings (Key Building Information etc)(England) Regulations 2023.

Full details of the information to be provided is in our previous engage post (What’s new in Fire Safety? 2023 changes so far – Hogan Lovells Engage), but in short, the AP or PAP must provide:

  • details of any ancillary building (which is attached to, but does not form part of the main building), and whether it is also a higher-risk building;
  • the principal and subordinate use of the higher-risk building (and any ancillary building, outbuilding or below ground level floors), and any change in use since construction;
  • details of the material used in the external walls (and any fixtures attached to them), insulation, roof, and structure of the building;
  • the number of storeys below ground level, and the number of floors served by each staircase;
  • the type of energy supply and storage system used; and
  • a description of the type of evacuation strategy in place for the higher risk building, and a list of the fire and smoke control equipment within the building and their locations.

Do I need to update the regulator after registration?

Yes – the AP or PAP must update the regulator within 14 days of any change to the registration information provided, or where a new building certificate is issued.

What happens if I don’t register by the deadline?

Failure to register an occupied higher-risk building by 1 October 2023 could lead to a fine or imprisonment. Further regulations are anticipated in 1 October 2023 to set out more detail on enforcement and penalties.

Can I remove my building from the register?

If the building no longer needs to be registered (either because it’s no longer occupied, or because the residential element is removed), the PAP can apply for it to be removed, or the Building Safety Regulator can remove it of its own volition.

Next steps

This is a new and complex process, and this is just a summary of the steps involved. If you think you may be required to register, we can provide you with more tailored and detailed guidance.

Source: J D Supra

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LOW CARBON, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN EDINBURGH

The City of Edinburgh Council has successfully secured a major new site for accessible affordable housing in the South of the city.

A successful £14.8m bid for Liberton Hospital and its grounds, including the former Blood Transfusion Centre, has been accepted by NHS Lothian – paving the way for around 400 hundred homes in the area, a significant number of which will be accessible and affordable for social or mid-market rent.

The NHS will continue to occupy the premises until March 2025 to allow the hospital’s remaining services to be gradually relocated. During this time, the council plans to appoint a development partner and consult with the local community to draw up plans for an accessible green neighbourhood – making sure to retain many original features of the historic hospital, gatehouse and gardens facing Lasswade Road.

The council’s vision for the site is to focus on supporting a range of housing needs while delivering homes at scale to help meet the city’s growing demand. It is anticipated that the regeneration will deliver at least 380 energy efficient mixed tenure homes for sale and rent, all of which could be fully accessible, with up to 50% affordable. This would exceed the council’s commitment of at least 35% affordable homes on residential developments.

The area already has a significant level of public amenity due to existing woodland and original hospital gardens, creating a fantastic opportunity for a range of high-quality public spaces as part of a wider green network. The regeneration of the land will retain as many of the existing trees as possible and incorporate them into green routes throughout the site, allowing for active travel connections to Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park, St Katharine’s Park and Liberton Park.

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) seeking interest from potential development partners has been issued and work will be carried out to prepare for construction, including developing detailed designs and agreeing a net zero carbon energy solution for the site, contributing to the Council’s ambitious target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said:

“For close to 150 years Edinburgh residents have been cared for under the roof of Liberton and Longmore Hospitals. I’m delighted that we’ll be able to pay that care forward as we convert the site into much needed new homes.

“By demolishing the 1960s built extensions, including the disused Blood Transfusion Service, we’ll be able to design an accessible green neighbourhood of low-carbon housing from scratch. This will help lots of people with specialist needs to live comfortably and with independence. Plus, it will allow us support people who are in desperate housing need as we’re looking for a developer who can commit to our vision of at least half of these new homes being affordable.

“We’re committed to putting care-based housing at the centre of this redevelopment and I’d like to thank our partners at the NHS for working with us to secure the land. It has been many years in the making.”

 

 

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COMBI LIFT TO LAUNCH COMBI-CUBE

 

As Combilift celebrates 25 years of innovation, we’ve made sure that 2023 will be a year to remember by launching 5 new products at multiple global locations!

To kick off, we will be launching our newest product – the COMBi-CUBE at the LogiMAT International Intralogistics show in Stuttgart.

With so many revolutionary features, it has to be seen to be believed!

Come visit us at Stand B45 in Hall 9 or tune in to our first ever live stream product launch – 4pm CET, Today, Tuesday 25th April, as I take you on a personal demonstration of the COMBi-CUBE.

 

WATCH THE COMBILIFT 25 YEARS ANNIVERARY VIDEO

 

WEBSITE

 

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UK Sleepwalking to a Retrofit Crisis Warns New Report

Without a change in attitudes and government action the UK could face a building retrofit crisis, warns a new report.

The Role of Retrofitting our Non-Domestic Buildings in the Race to Net Zero, by Ridge and Partners LLP, the multi-discipline property and construction consultancy, shows that fewer than one in four public or private sector organisations is attempting to make their non-domestic premises more environmentally sustainable and just one in ten is assigning any kind of budget to retrofitting buildings to reduce their environmental impact.

According to the 101 property and facilities heads from leading UK organisations questioned for the report, lack of government action is a key problem. 52% believe VAT on refurbishments should be removed. Almost half (49%) say business rates discourage retrofit while over half call for financial incentives to encourage retrofitting of buildings.

A further problem is the attitude of UK boards, both to their buildings and to those who manage them. For instance, despite 76% of organisations working towards net zero, 55% of facilities managers say their boards simply do not see retrofitting buildings as part of their net zero strategy.  Indeed, 23% of the heads of buildings in the largest companies haven’t been involved in any net zero planning at all. A further 47% say even when involved, they are too removed from environmental discussions to be able to make a meaningful contribution.

The vast majority (86%) of organisations also underestimate the need to retrofit buildings to make them more energy efficient. Over a third mistakenly believe less than 39% of the UK’s current building stock will still be in use by 2050. Whereas in reality, it will be nearer twice this level at 70%.

Matt Richards, Partner at Ridge and Partners, comments: “Too many organisations appear to assume that come 2050 our existing building stock will have been replaced with more efficient new buildings, but this simply isn’t the case. The bulk of buildings we see around us will still be in use.

“As a result, vast swathes of UK organisations are sleepwalking towards a building crisis. At this rate, when we reach 2050, we’ll have failed to reach the government’s net zero target due to the majority of businesses occupying old, inefficient buildings that haven’t been retrofitted. If this problem is to be avoided, a retrofit revolution needs to take place.”

Beyond government action, the report identifies four things which need to change to improve the situation:

  • Facilities and property heads also need to be more involved by their boards in decisions. 19% are not even privy to the strategic plans of their organisations.
  • How building estate’s budgets are set need to change. Over half (54%) of organisations set their building budgets based on the past year’s costs. This approach will never accommodate a major retrofit programme.
  • Retrofit myths need exploding. For instance, 45% of those in charge of buildings believe if the grid is carbon neutral, they don’t need to worry about getting their buildings to net zero. 24% feel that retrofitting won’t make a big enough difference to their building’s carbon footprint.
  • Organisations also need expert support. 31% fear retrofitting’s disruption, 29% lack the bandwidth for such a project and 25% don’t know how to make a business case for it.

 

Matt Richards concludes:

“Our research has shown that most organisations have ambitious net zero plans. Combine these with spiralling energy costs and concerns about energy security and there couldn’t be a better time for the government and the UK’s public and private sector organisations to revisit retrofitting our non-domestic assets. A retrofit revolution needs to take place – and with the right support it could start now.”

The Role of Retrofitting our Non-Domestic Buildings in the Race to Net Zero report is free to download.

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FOREST GARDEN AWARDED A KING’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE

Factory workers, team leaders and managers at Forest Garden’s manufacturing facility.in Worcestershire

Forest Garden, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wooden garden products, have been honoured with the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise – for Innovation. The highest and most prestigious award possible for UK businesses.

Forest Garden received the honour in recognition of a world-leading fully automated manufacturing process they created for fence panels, which cuts production time by 70%.

Forest Garden CEO, Guy Grainger, said:

“Whilst innovating the manufacture of fence panels may not seem particularly exciting, in our sector it has been nothing short of revolutionary.

“To have successfully introduced a new panel suitable for automation into our market, alongside replacing a traditional manufacturing process with ground-breaking high-speed automation, are achievements of which we are particularly proud.”

By fully automating the manufacturing process, the company has reduced panel production time by almost 70%, improved production margins, and enabled their UK-sourced and manufactured products to compete with imports.

Automation has also delivered a more uniform, quality product and increased the business’s ability to meet storm-driven surges in fencing demand.

Founded in 1974 Forest Garden, which employs over 500 people, manufacture and distribute wooden buildings, fencing and structures for residential and agricultural gardens.

Using only sustainable British timber, Forest Garden are part of the Forest Garden Group whose operations across Worcestershire and Scotland include sawmills and manufacturing plants.

Forest Garden are one of 148 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. Announced today (Friday 21 April), Forest Garden has been recognised for its excellence in Innovation.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards were first established in 1965 and since then over 7,000 companies have achieved a King’s Award.

2023 marks the first year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, reflecting His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.

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