weberfloor – the only flooring products for Weber HQ refurbishment

Major refurbishment is underway at the Saint-Gobain Weber HQ in Flitwick, Bedfordshire where weberfloor products are being used extensively. The work involves renovation of 240m² of industrial and commercial floor space.

The Flitwick warehouse project involves the demolition of the old training workshop to make way for a new product storage area. Here the floor area has been pre-treated and primed with weberfloor 4716 primer which is designed for use on all substrates prior to application of weberfloor products to achieve a thin but tight membrane. It regulates the porosity of the substrate and improves adhesion while reducing the formation of pinholes in the levelling layer. weberfloor 4716 primer should be diluted with clean water and can be spray-applied for use on large areas.

weberfloor 4160 industry top industrial floor screed was then applied to a thickness of 10mm. Compliant with BS8204 it is a pumpable, rapid hardening and self-smoothing floor screed for use as a surface layer on industrial flooring with a compressive strength of C35 and flexural strength F10. It is especially suitable where renovation time is limited and is ready for foot traffic 2 – 4 hours after application. weberfloor 4610 industry top is designed for intensively trafficked industrial floors with medium or heavy rolling loading where exceptional flatness is required such as factories, production areas or warehouses. weberfloor 4610 industry top does not require any finish but may be coated with a suitable resin and is ideal for use on both new floors and renovation projects.

In a separate area of the building work is ongoing in the creation of a new open plan office area. During the preparation stage a slip membrane was installed to create a floating floor and to effectively de-bond from the existing substrate. This has been reinforced with alkaline-resistant weberfloor 4945 glass fibre mesh. Mesh is normally used on weak substrates or in case the screed is laid un-bonded.

Fibre-reinforced for added durability, weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has been applied to the mesh at 25mm thickness but can be applied up to 50mm. This high performance, pumpable, levelling floor screed is ideal for solid and floating floors, in both commercial and residential applications. It has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics, is suitable for heated or wooden floors and, importantly on this project, can receive foot traffic after only 2 – 4 hours.

“Ease and speed of application has been critical to allow early access by following trades,” says Tracey Dempster, head of marketing, Saint-Gobain Weber. “These facilities are used regularly by staff and overseas visitors so downtime essentially had to be kept to a minimum.”

“The transformation of this space is really impressive,” continues Dempster, “and no one understands more than Weber that time is money and floors must be laid in the shortest possible time.” Weber’s comprehensive floor screeds, which are manufactured in the UK, have been developed for optimum speed, durability, strength and smoothness and are the most technically advanced products on the market.

For more information about this project, 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.
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Quality and sustainability shift puts A4 Stainless Steel Fasteners in pole position

Developer and client demands for building envelopes which offer outstanding build-quality in the long term, and enhance the overall green credentials of the finished building, are driving increased interest in high performance A4 (316 grade) stainless steel fasteners, according to global fastener manufacturer SFS.

The company, which pioneered A2 (304 grade) and A4 (316 grade) stainless steel fasteners for roofing and cladding in the UK more than 30 years ago, has completed orders for A4 stainless steel fasteners for a string of high profile building projects during 2017. These include the stunning new golden-clad Alchemist bar and restaurant which is set to be a new landmark at Salford Quays, the Vita York student complex, the Royal Liverpool Hospital Life Science Accelerator building, the Broughton Airbus Building and several buildings at the Jaguar Land Rover plant.

The key advantage of A4 fasteners versus A2, which have made an enormous contribution to improving standards in roofing and cladding installations in recent years, is that they offer extended resistance to corrosion. This gives OEMs and contractors the scope to offer warranties on the building envelope of up to 40 years (depending on the system and building type/location) – an additional 15 years on what A2 fasteners are capable of.

In delivering a longer lifespan, A4 fasteners are vitally important for clients seeking higher sustainability ratings on their buildings. This is because the building envelope will retain its integrity and visual appeal for a much longer period, without the need for maintenance or premature replacement which is costly, inconvenient for building users and impacts significantly on the carbon footprint of the building.

Andy Stolworthy, Product & Market Development Manager at SFS, says “The use of A4 fasteners has long been widely accepted for areas with corrosive environments, such as densely populated urban and industrial locations, and particularly coastal areas. In recent years there has been an increase in demand for A4 stainless steel fasteners for all applications, driven by specifiers and clients seeking an enhanced quality product for increased building longevity.

“With initiatives including BIM putting the building industry on an upward trajectory in terms of overall quality, value and sustainability, A4 fasteners have a clear appeal. The operational expenditure needed for a building during its service life is already significantly greater than the capital budget required to build it in the first place. So, investing slightly more in the build – i.e. by choosing A4 fasteners for the envelope, rather than coated carbon or A2 – allows the operating costs to be considerably reduced, with guaranteed performance for at least another 15 years longer.”

SFS provides an extensive range of stainless steel fasteners across A2, A4 and A5 materials for all kinds of roofing and cladding applications, and works closely with OEMs to ensure innovative and creative approaches to the building envelope can be reliably and confidently delivered.

Customers can access detailed information about all the fastening solutions available from SFS through downloading its 2017 Roofing and Cladding Catalogue from their new website www.sfsintec.co.uk. Customers can also benefit from UK-wide sales and technical teams, both dedicated to providing market-leading customer service to ensure the best possible result in the finished building envelope.

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Alumasc: LHC’s highest-ranked flat roofing supplier

After a rigorous evaluation and selection process, Alumasc was the highest-placed flat roofing supplier appointed by LHC to the FR2 Framework Agreement. The framework, available for local authorities, social landlords and other public-sector bodies, is used to procure social housing and public building construction, refurbishment and maintenance works, products and services.

Alumasc was the first-ranked, of five, flat roofing suppliers appointed to this framework because of its high scores for product quality, cost-effectiveness and reliability. Alumasc was ranked the top manufacturer for price, quality and value for money for Local Authorities, social landlords and other public sector organisations throughout England and Scotland, and the top supplier for price and value for money for Wales.

LHC Technical Manager Richard Wilby said: “Congratulations to Alumasc on being the top-ranked flat roofing supplier for England, Wales and Scotland following our rigorous framework tender exercise. The weighting of our Flat Roofing Framework (FR2) encompassed a tough ‘Quality’ criteria, including emphasis on ‘Social Standing’ and ‘Price’, to which Alumasc completed a very competitive and well thought out tender return.”

Alumasc also had to provide strong evidence of its social responsibility, sustainability, legislation compliance, quality management, equal opportunities and diversity, health and safety and financial stability, backed by case studies covering all geographic regions.

Why public sector organisations should use the LHC Procurement Framework:

  • Rapid identification of fully-compliant LHC-approved flat roof suppliers
  • Access to annual project rebate facility
  • Competitive market prices
  • Quick and efficient procurement
  • Instant access to project data
  • Delivery period and service level guarantees
  • Advice on design and regulatory compliance
  • High quality standards
  • Quick project starts

Further information about the benefits of the LHC Framework is available from Alumasc Roofing Systems quoting ‘LHC Framework’ on 01744 646 400 or email contact@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk.

To request a free Alumasc Roofing Systems flat roof refurbishment seminar at your premises, visit www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call 03335 771 500.
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Cembrit takes the high road with Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation

Cembrit has expanded its growing portfolio of roofing accessories with the Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation, a practical fibre cement product that provides ridge capping for pitched roofs.

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation is specifically designed to provide a high level of ridgeline ventilation. Colour matched for use with Cembrit fibre cement slates, the ridge is suitable for monopitch roofs ranging from 20° to 40°. The range includes start and end caps for a neat finish. Weighing 4kg, the product is lightweight, making it easy to transport and carry up to roof level. At 530mm in length, it is possible to carry two linear metres of ridge at a time.

“Monopitch ridges are regularly requested and we are pleased to offer a ventilated option that allows designers and building owners to comply with roof ventilation standards,” says Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager of Cembrit. “The slate mono ridge ventilation provides a visually appealing and weathertight roof. With its quick and easy installation, we are confident the product will tick all the boxes for our customers.”

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation is a fibre cement product that complements the smooth, flush look of the fibre cement slates. The ridges are lighter in weight than concrete alternatives, making them easier to install for a roofer working at height. The ridges do not require electric power for cutting, or any dust suppression equipment, equalling a much easier and quicker fitting process. They can be dry fixed with readily available colour matched “sela” type screws and installation is not dependent on getting the correct mortar mix, or having to wait for dry weather.

Cembrit Slate Mono Ridge Ventilation has an air capacity of 5,000 mm2 per linear metre. The ridge meets the requirements of British Standard BS5250 ‘Control of Condensation in Buildings’ when fitted to the requirements of BS5534 ‘Code of Practice of Slating and Tiling’.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 (0) 208 320 1184.
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District Heating at Southbank Place Canary Wharf

Evinox Energy are delighted to be working with Canary Wharf Group plc on the Southbank Place development. This outstanding scheme features a district heating system that incorporates a highly efficient energy centre, which will reduce the carbon footprint of the site. The District network will supply residents with thermal energy for heating, cooling and the production of domestic hot water.

Southbank Place is being developed by Braeburn Estates, a joint venture between Canary Wharf Group plc and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. When complete it will feature seven new buildings including residential space, state-of-the-art offices and a diverse mix of retail. This 5.25-acre development also features the iconic Shell building and offers some of the best views in London including the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Whitehall and exceptional vistas of the river.

Heating & Cooling Interface Units

Evinox Energy have supplied ModuSat® heating and cooling interface units, including twin plate units for instantaneous heating and hot water, single plate units for cooling and models that feature an integrated hot water storage tank. The Canary Wharf Group plc decided this was the ideal solution as many apartments require both heating and cooling throughout the home.

Smart Connected Control

The Interface units at Southbank Place feature our SmartTalk® two-way communication technology, which operates using the same hard-wired network as the metering data collection without additional costs. This enables all dwellings to be remotely metered, controlled, interrogated and tested, and enables operation and maintenance routines to be run remotely including the diagnosis of faults. The system picks up a range of alarms such as faulty components, faulty meters, high /low system pressure.
By using our two-way communication system, any HIU performance check can also be carried out remotely, significantly reducing inconvenience, maintenance time and cost.

Credit towards Code for Sustainable Homes

Each home also features an Evinox ViewSmart ENE3 controller, which can display all of the information required to gain credits for the Code for Sustainable Homes. This includes historical consumption data in a graphical format to enable residents to view information about their usage and compare different periods. This removes the requirement to install a separate energy display device to gain credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes.

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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New Marmoleum Solid

Marmoleum Solid is the contemporary new linoleum collection from Forbo Flooring Systems. Authentic in nature, its five individual ranges provide the foundation for creating pure, distinctive and modern spaces.

Created from 97% natural, raw materials (including linseed oil and wood flour), 72% of which are rapidly renewable, and with a 43% recycled content, Marmoleum already has exemplary sustainability credentials. The introduction of the new Marmoleum Cocoa range goes one step further by adding a seventh natural ingredient, upcycled cocoa shells from a Dutch chocolate producer.

An innovation in construction and aesthetics, the result is a rich organic scattering that introduces a completely new tactility for Marmoleum. This has led the range to win the 2017 IF Design Award for product design – adding to the many accolades and Ecolabels Marmoleum already holds, such as Nature Plus, Blue Angel and the Nordic Swan.

Adding an entirely innovative dimension in embossing is the new Marmoleum Slate range. It features a naturally inspired texture that exudes sophistication, offering the timeless aesthetic of stone, with the warmth and purity of linoleum.

Completing the collection are Marmoleum Concrete, now featuring a flash of colour shimmer, and a variety of plain to semi-plain aesthetics that run across the remaining Walton and refreshed Piano ranges.

Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems explains: “Marmoleum Solid is a contemporary collection that sits perfectly with today’s desire for more solid visuals and raw tactility. The concept of which is designed to combine beautifully with other building materials such as wood, glass and metal.

“Marmoleum Solid shows that linoleum flooring has the capacity to move beyond the classic marbled structures, and will encourage designers to consider using it in spaces such as retail, leisure and hospitality and offices, where other finishes are often more predominant.”

The Marmoleum collection is a prime example of Forbo’s ‘Committed to the Health of One’ programme, which strives to create better indoor environments. It is naturally bacteriostatic, does not harbour allergens and holds the Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Marmoleum has extremely low VOCs contributing to positive indoor air quality and has high LRV’s which help create positive environments in which to work, live and play. It is also protected by the unique water-based ‘Topshield 2’ finish, which ensures no hiding place for dirt or bacteria. By including a seventh natural ingredient from another industry into the Marmoleum Cocoa range, Forbo is continuing in its efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling.

For more information please call 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/marmoleumsolid and www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/CHO
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Behind-the-scenes at Deceuninck

One of the UK’s leading windows and doors systems company, Deceuninck, recently hosted an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their innovative manufacturing plant and warehouse for Editors of the industry’s trade and commercial media. Buildingspecifier was there (golden ticket in hand!) and we caught up with Managing Director Rob McGlennon shortly after the tour:

What lead Deceuninck to host this event?

“We’ve worked with the industry’s magazines for a long time now, but many of them haven’t visited Deceuninck. We know from experience that it’s one thing to read about people or companies, or come across them at industry events for example, but it’s quite another to visit their premises and meet the people that work there, in all areas of the business. It shows people who you really are. I’m proud to say that visitors to Deceuninck have always said they’ve found us to be a friendly, down to earth, approachable team of people and are impressed by the size and scale of our operation. From the feedback we had from our press day, the Editors of our industry magazines seemed to agree.

What do you think visitors took away with them as a lasting impression?

“We gave our visitors insight into what’s important to Deceuninck, including building long standing relationships and developing new products for the good of the market, as well as giving both sectors of the market an overview of the complete Deceuninck picture. The commercial press we work with for example weren’t aware of the over and above support we offer our trade fabricators, just as the trade media weren’t aware of the comprehensive list of commercial case studies we have worked on with our commercial fabricators, including Hinkley Point, Fairview Homes. Abbey Road and Kennedy Gardens.

“Without giving anything away, we also gave the Editors a sneak preview of some of the new products they can expect to hear about in 2018, in addition to the Heritage Window Collection and more recently Grey Substrate product launches of this year.

Let’s talk a little bit about colour – with an impressive range colourways and such a large warehouse for stock, do you think that Deceuninck can reduce downtime for end contractors by lowering lead times?

“Absolutely. Minimising downtime for specifiers is of the utmost priority for us, as it leads to real time tangible savings for our customers. We achieve this through innovation of our product range and honing the overall delivery process to make it efficient as possible.

“Our visitors were shown our impressive warehouse that allows us to deliver our 26 colourways from stock, for both profile and ancillaries. We performed a fun exercise before we started the tour whereby one of our visitors chose a specific product and a specific colour combination, which we then challenged ourselves to find quickly and easily in our warehouse. Considering our warehouse has been likened to Amazon or T5, you can imagine how much of a challenge this could be without the right systems in place. Thanks to our advanced set-up however, we were able to demonstrate precisely how efficient an operation it is.

“On the topic of colour, we also announced that we have now hit the 50% colour milestone – in fact 51% of our products are now supplied in colour, because we can do it so easily. Two of our largest customers are also now doing 50% colour. The demand is there, as an industry we just need to meet it, which means delivering quality colour products, without extended delivery times.”

Can we come back again?

“Yes! At Deceuninck, we are always keen for people to come and visit us in Calne, customers and prospects alike, but it was nice to take a day out to build further on the relationships we have with the industry’s press, for our benefit and of course the benefit of our customers.”

Contact Deceuninck today for more information on 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk
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Aico website now with virtual tour facility

Aico Ltd., the market leader in residential Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms in the UK, has introduced a new 360° tour feature to its website www.aico.co.uk. The tours enable visitors to take a virtual walk around Aico’s Centre of Excellence and one of its Mobile Training & Demo Units.

With over 2000 visitors having crossed the threshold since it opened in 2015, the Centre of Excellence at Aico’s head office in Oswestry, Shropshire can now be viewed online at the Centre of Excellence page on Aico’s website thanks to the new 360° tour feature. ‘Virtual’ visitors can journey through the two storey, state of the art Centre, stopping to look at the range of rooms and facilities available. These include a workshop with a smoke chamber for hands on training, a mock bungalow highlighting common fire and CO risks throughout a property and various conference and meeting facilities equipped with the latest audio visual technology.

The Mobile Training & Demo Unit page on the Aico website provides a similar experience but within one of Aico’s new Units. These fully fitted vehicles feature information boards on all Aico technologies, such as RadioLINK+ and AudioLINK, and alarm ranges, with fully functional product attached. Both online tours also feature icons that you can click on to reveal interesting facts throughout the building.

The Mobile Training & Demo Units and Centre of Excellence have been created to enable Aico to deliver detailed product and alarm technology information, as well as its CPD accredited Expert Installer training.

In addition to the new 360° tours, Aico’s responsive website hosts a wealth of information and extensive selection of support tools and information including a new range of ‘how to’ videos and live chat facility. The home page provides instant clear links to the most visited pages and links to four key areas – Products, Support, Expert Installer and a Where to Buy feature.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico is the market leader in residential Fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico is tried, tested and trusted.

For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk.
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Magical result as SFS Fasteners deliver for MediaCity UK’s iconic new building

SFS has played a key role in enabling Artez, the main contractor, and leading roofing and cladding contractor Longworth to deliver an iconic new building on Manchester’s vibrant MediaCity waterfront for upmarket bar and restaurant chain The Alchemist.

The company’s powder-coated, high performance A4 (grade 316) stainless steel fasteners were key to creating a stunning gold building envelope for ‘The Bund’, a unique structure located on the land bridge crossing Dock 9 at Salford Quays, between The Lowry and the BBC.

Designed by Reid Architects, The Bund is an iconic new bar and restaurant on the waterfront next to the world famous Lowry Centre for Living Ventures and the company’s 11th Alchemist venue. The design brief provided scope for originality and creativity in meeting the key requirements to deliver a building that would be different and special, and draw together the diverse areas of Salford Quays in a single new building.

The Bund provides a revolutionary hybrid landscape in creating what is a unique and futuristic venue. The new building’s gold roof and walls, and stunning terrace that cantilevers out over the canal, are designed to match the aesthetic and style ambitions of Living Ventures and of the high class cocktail bar’s clientele.

Longworth, who are renowned for their expertise in metal roofing, were commissioned to construct the building envelope and to realise Reid Architects’ golden vision. The company’s Business Development Manager, Ben Parker, says, “We are immensely proud of our work on The Alchemist, an incredibly complex building envelope project that only a handful of companies in the UK could have successfully implemented. To hear that the building has been shortlisted for a Building of the Year Award with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce this October makes it an especially memorable project for us.

“Colour coordinating the gold zinc panels and the fasteners was critical, which is why we worked with SFS to ensure complete colour consistency on the fastener heads. We can rely on the excellent quality of SFS products, with their range of A4 (grade 316) fasteners enabling us to offer an extended life cycle on the building envelope, a requirement which is now generally specified by all the leading architects.”

Graeme McIlroy, Regional Sales Manager at SFS, adds “Fasteners hold the key to maintaining the visual appeal of the building envelope, with our powder coated A4 stainless steel fasteners best for ensuring a façade retains its integrity over a long service life. We are delighted to have been part of The Bund development working with Longworth and we hope to supply fasteners for more exciting projects as this exciting development rivals London at the heart of the media world.”

To find out more about high performance fasteners for the building envelope visit www.sfsintec.co.uk.
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Visit Glass: introducing a dynamic new event for the flat glass industry at the NEC

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The FIT Show team organises a brand new event for processors, specifiers and buyers of flat glass in all its forms.

Following increasing demand indicated by visitors to the FIT Show, the organisers have announced the launch of Visit Glass, which will take place alongside the FIT Show in May 2019 at the NEC.

Responding to a massive 40% of the 10,000 visitors to the 2017 FIT Show who declared their interest in seeing glass products and glass-related processing equipment and technology at the event, Visit Glass will become the first UK exhibition and forum dedicated to the manufacture, processing and application of flat glass for almost 15 years.

The event is designed to appeal to glass industry professionals, together with specifiers and buyers of flat glass products and systems. These include insulated glass units, architectural glass, processed flat glass for all non-glazing applications including kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and the furniture industry; and glass for interiors including offices and decorative interior design schemes.

Prompted by the visitor feedback the organisers of the FIT show carried out further research into the viability of such an event and were told that professionals operating in the sector would respond positively for something created specifically to address the unique needs of the UK flat glass industry, one that continues to undergo substantial technological and market changes. They also learned that, despite the success of the FIT Show, it did not serve the specific needs of flat glass manufacture, processing and technology. That will now be addressed by the launch of Visit Glass, according to organiser Nickie West.

“Despite glass being an obvious and essential component of almost everything that is shown at the FIT Show, the glass industry has needs that are quite distinct in almost every respect,” she said. “After analysis of visitor research at the 2017 FIT Show we realised that glass-related topics were some of the highest categories they wanted to see at the show. However, this was not reflected in what they saw there. Visit Glass will address this imbalance through a distinct, separate event alongside the FIT Show.

“With the numbers of visitors to the FIT Show indicating their interest in flat glass we can guarantee a very substantial attendance to Visit Glass,” added West. “In addition of course there will be a substantial marketing campaign to encourage a wide cross section of the glass industry, in addition to users and specifiers.”

Visit Glass will take place in its own clearly designated space at the NEC alongside the FIT Show, in a space that combines key exhibitors representing leading brands alongside a powerful, thought provoking and informative seminar programme dedicated to the glass industry and markets in the UK. To ensure an appropriate format for Visit Glass was created the event was ‘soft launched’, during which time a number of powerful, key brands were quick to reserve exhibition space. These include Pilkington, Saint-Gobain, Edgetech, Lisec, National Glass Group and Sapphire Glass Merchants, with others joining the floorplan as word of the event spreads.

A dedicated seminar theatre within Visit Glass will offer a comprehensive programme of seminars addressing UK and general issues relating to the manufacture, processing and application of flat glass. Industry experts are being consulted to ensure content that is highly relevant and current for the UK flat glass industry when the event takes place in May 2019.

Visitors will also be encouraged to network in the Visit Glass bar, access for which will be granted to Visit Glass pre-registered visitors who will automatically be granted VIP status. Visit Glass and FIT Show visitors will have full access to both events.

Visit Glass will take place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham, 21st to 23rd May 2019. Further information is available at: www.fitshow.co.uk/visitglass or for interest in exhibiting, by calling Freya Humphries on +44 7572 623457.
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