Anexciting future for online productdata services · Pa ge9-12 B uil dn ro cts Page 13-16 Other...

e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013 www.e-Xact.co.uk

Wow! Win a £150 in Cash

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Page 2-3 e-Xact News, featuring e-Xact plans for the futureNew on e-Xact: County Building Supplies and KRM Building Supplies

Page 4 Bathrooms & ShowersPage 5-7 Plumbing & DrainagePage 8 HeatingPage 9-12 Building ProductsPage 13-16 Other News

In this edition...

An exciting future for onlineproduct data services

See Page 2

News

2 e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013 For more details see e-Xact home page

The way that e-Xact publishes product data to other systems isunder review, with the aim of enabling builders merchantwebsites to use a generic integration utility to obtain e-Xactdata. There are also plans to make supplier product data frome-Xact more widely available to contractors, home builders andother supply chain partners who wish to use the product datain electronic procurement processes.

A separate, but linked, development plan relates to suppliertrading agreements and “web shopping basket” procurementvia eCatalogues. If you have a specific interest in this area andwish to know more, please contact Graeme [email protected].

Data quality is very important to both e-Xact and itscustomers. As well as improving the user experience, e-Xact’sgoal is to make further improvements to data quality.

The data on e-Xact represents a consolidated view of datafrom many suppliers and manufacturers, with links to productdatasheets and specifications. One of e-Xact’s primary servicesis collecting this data and converting it into a consistentformat, so that content is searchable based on a consistentdata classification. As many merchants and purchasers know,searching individual supplier websites is very time consuming,and data comparisons are difficult. One of the key challengesis to ensure this data is consistent and up to date based uponinformation received from the supplier. To improve timelinessof updates, e-Xact plans to move more products to automatedupdates rather than periodic data uploads.

e-Xact provides a consistent data feed into merchant websitesfor the products of its subscribing suppliers. Upcomingimprovements will make this easier to implement, for examplewith configurable e-Xact data outputs so that merchants andother customers can more easily create a data import processinto their trading system product files.

e-Xact is part of COINS (Construction Industry Solutions), whichhas a market leading position in providing software solutionsto the construction industry.

COINS clients are contractors and home builders who spendbillions annually on building materials with suppliers thatinclude both manufacturers and merchants. Many COINSclients achieve economies of scale through the creation ofnational and/or regional supplier agreements with keysuppliers. The products and prices that constitute theseagreements represent a crucial set of commercial data that isfundamental to the efficient processing of a high volume oforders and invoices.

This Supplier Agreement product and price data will becomepart of the cloud-based e-Xact solution, so that the tradingpartners are able to reference and maintain a consistentproduct price file specific to their relationship and agreement.The eProcurement and eInvoicing solutions already providedby COINS will integrate into this new solution, maximising dataprocessing efficiency.

Over the next 12 months, a revamp of the e-Xact solution will result in an improved user interface, better options foruploading and updating data, and more automated checking of data quality. Website activity data will also beavailable, so suppliers can review website hits and downloads of their product information.

The exciting plans that e-Xact Online has for its onlineproduct data services will benefit all users.

e-Xact plans for the future

Expanding e-Xacts’s commitment todata quality

Expanding data feeds into merchantwebsites and trading systems

Expanding into eProcurement andeInvoicing

If you have suggestions for improvements to e-Xact or questions about the planned improvements, please contactSharika Fernando [email protected].

News

County BuildingSupplies wasestablished in 1987with the opening ofits first branch inMalvern,Worcestershire.Today the companyemploys over 90staff in 8 branchesstrategicallylocatedthroughout theMidlands and South West.Serving both general builders and DIYenthusiasts, the company has grownfrom strength to strength during its 25-year history.

County Building Supplies stocks some24,000 items from around 400

productmanufacturers.James Bradley,Malvern BranchManager andhead of Group ITsaid, “The time isright to invest inan onlinecatalogue service.Our e-commercesystem is in placeand so e-Xact will beof great benefit in

populating our back office system andfor importing data directly onto our

website.”

The company caters for all building,renovating, landscaping, plumbing,heating, timber and joinery needs andprides itself on service andfriendliness. County BuildingSupplies runs a fleet ofvehicles, offering a dailydelivery service frombranches in Malvern,Evesham, Cheltenham,Droitwich, Nuneaton,Coventry and Monmouth.

KRM was established in 1989 and isgrowing into one of the leadingindependent builders’ merchants in theEast Midlands, supplying a comprehensiverange of building, DIY, landscaping andtimber materials. KRM provides next-dayor often same-day delivery within a 20-mile radius. It specialises in serving a broadtrade and DIY customer base, from smalljobbing builders, to developers and self-builders. KRM is also a member of anational buying group.

KRM director Stuart Sherwin says, “Wechose to collaborate with e-Xact becausewe wanted to deliver a comprehensivewebsite with all the information relating toa product, including declaration ofperformance (DoP) documents. With usbeing a small company, I neededsomebody to manage all that productinformation. It is very easy to obtain all theinformation initially, but keeping it currentis another matter. There is nothing morefrustrating than looking at a website that isnot updated regularly.

Stuart continues, “The information e-Xactprovides to us will be used on our new fulle-commerce site so a customer can clickon a product and be able to read theproduct data sheets and extendeddescriptions, etc., rather than a basic line of

description and an image.

“We are making a significant investmentinto a full e-commerce website in order toincrease our cash sales business and alsoenable our customers to place orders withus after we have closed, so we will beavailable to our customers twenty fourseven. We also hope to extend the productlines we offer to appeal to more people.

“I am very pleased to be working with e-Xact and my suppliers sohopefully we can all benefit. Ifyou want a comprehensivewebsite that can offer yourcustomers all the informationthey need, then in my opinione-Xact is the only option.”

Scan here toread the full

article on ourwebsite

County Building Supplies chose e-Xact to supportnew e-commerce solution

New on e-Xact - KRM Building Supplies

Independent builders merchants, County Building Supplies recently chose e-Xact to populate its back office systemwith product data from its suppliers. The decision to subscribe to e-Xact is a direct result of the implementation of anew e-commerce system into the company’s head office with a view to offering a nationwide service in the future.

KRM Building Suppliers Ltd (www.krmbs.com), a growing independent builders merchant based in the EastMidlands, decided to use the e-Xact Online product catalogue to help build their new ecommerce website.

e-Xtract / Issue 3 - 2010 e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013 3www.e-Xact.co.uk




Bathrooms & Showers

Global designer and manufacturer ofpremium showers and tapware, Methven UK,has launched a timeless and elegant newrange.

The Kea collection, which features crisp, cleanedges and soft curves, incorporates a completesuite of bath and basin taps, along with Methven’sfirst sequential shower including a Satinjet® kit.

Kea will be at home in any bathroom with itstimeless and elegant style.

The range, which is Methven’s best value-for-money collection to date, includes a mono basintap, with ceramic disc cartridge, easy flow andtemperature operation and a directional aerator.It is also supplied with an additional directionalseven litre aerator for those who want to savewater. A clicker waste is also included.

Other items available within the Kea range

include a bath filler and basin and bath pillartaps, all complete with ceramic disc technology.The bath shower mixer incorporates a MakuSatinjet handset.

The sequential shower and kit, which alsoincludes a Maku Satinjet handset, operates with a

single control for flow and temperature, athermostatic valve making it safe for all thefamily and a riser rail with adjustable brackets foreasy replacement.

Barbara Osborne, Product Manager at MethvenUK, said: “We are really proud of the Kea rangeboth in terms of looks and appeal,and believe it will be a very popularcollection. It offers a full suite ofstylish products at a verycompetitive price, which makes itideal for all.”

For more information, visitwww.methven.com/uk

Extraordinarily slim and stylish, the MiraCalibre is not only the thinnest verticalvalve on the market but also showcasesMira Showers’ engineering excellence as itachieves its elegant profile by integrating a25mm mixer valve within the vertical riserrail.

Designed to meet the increasing demand fromdiscerning consumers, the Calibre incorporatespatented Mira technologies to deliver aluxurious and safe showering experience. ItsMagniflow™ technology generates up to threetimes more water flow than standard mixershowers – even on systems as low as 0.1 bar sothose who can’t avoid low water pressure can

still experience showering perfection.Providing safety for all the family, CoolShield™ensures that the valve body remains cool tothe touch when the shower is use. Separatecontrols for flow and temperature enablesusers to fine- tune the shower to their owntaste.

To deliver the luxury showering experiencethat will match its elegant good looks, theCalibre offers a choice of top-endshowerheads: either the Calibre EV with theall-chrome Mira 360 showerhead and itsunique four spray patterns or the Calibre ER,with a fully drenching 25cm deluge head forthe spa style bathroom.

Thrills & spills for crowning champions of Total Install

Following the completion of this summer’s hugelypopular Total Install® Challenge, the joint installerinitiative formed between Twyford Bathrooms andPlumb Center, the reigning champions enjoyedtheir top prize by taking life into the fast lane.

Now in its second year, the Total Install® Challengecomprised of a series of eight road show events

themed around the need for speed, wherebyinstallers took part in various challenges, includinggo- karting, race simulations and the all-important‘Total Install Challenge’; a race against the clock tofit Total Install® bathroom products. For even morethrills and spills, the teams, once again, got tocompete for the overall crowning prize of aSupercar Experience.

This year, it was a team from the Scottswood Roadand Hexham Plumb Center branches whoattended the Gateshead event that took the titlewith a resounding final score of 220 points. Thewinning team of four enjoyed the fun factor withtheir speedy prize package by taking to the roadsin some of the fastest and most ferocious speedmachines on the market.

Sabine Tawfik, Trade Marketing Manager at

Twyford Bathrooms, comments: “With even moreroadshows, this year’s Total Install Challengeproved even bigger and better with everyonecommenting on how much fun they had.

“On behalf of Twyford Bathroomsand Plumb Center, we would like totake this opportunity to thank all ofour loyal customers for comingalong. Plus, of course, a bigcongratulation is in order for thewinning team; the competition wascertainly fierce this year so it was noeasy feat.”





Methven launches elegant Kea range

Mira’s Calibre offers thin stuff



Feeling the need for speed - Mark Creighton and RobWilson (customers of the Plumb Center Scottswood Roadbranch), Nigel Wright and Phil Westall (customers of thePlumb Center Hexham branch), photographed with theHexham branch manager, Kyle Farrell


Plumbing & Drainage

BWT, Europe’s No. 1 water technologycompany mark a decade’s worth oftechnological, performance and styleimprovements with the launch of the all -new WS generation of domestic watersofteners. The new range comprises offive new models, ranging from 10-25litres, to ensure that there is a softeneravailable to suit the needs andrequirements of different householdsand applications.

As part of BWT’s on-goingresearch and development,the WS range is one of themost technicallyadvanced andperformancedriven softeners,making it thenatural successor tothe ever popularWaterside MC range.

The new stylish, sleekdesign, which isunmistakably BWT, enablesthe unit to be installed into contemporarykitchens easily, and is welcomed as a modernappliance by the customer.

The new WS range offers optimum performancein every aspect. The improved salt and waterconsumption enables lower operating costs,whilst the advanced electronic control system isable to accurately monitor water consumptionand water requirements for a more efficientregeneration process. This sophisticatedtechnology is complemented with hassle freesetup and simple installation, instantly making it ahit with the end customer and installer alike.

For greater peace of mind, the WS range ismanufactured with a highly reliable rotary valve,as well as the whole range coming complete witha 2 years on site labour and 5 years parts warrantyas standard.

The WS range launch coincides withBWT’s national consumer campaignas it sets to invigorate the watertreatment market to help supportthe installer and merchants at thistime by driving customers directly tothem. For more information on theWS range of water softeners, contactBWT on 01376 334200.

The new, enhanced and extended Q-BrakeVortex Flow control and Q-Plate orifice platerange from ACO can now regulate anysurface water flow rate before discharge intowater course or sewernetworks. Both the vortexand orifice platetechnology are customdesigned to projectrequirements and offermerchants a qualityproduct with rapiddelivery and good margins.

The Q-Brake Vortex is ideal for flowsfrom 1 to 100 l/s and is a proven, reliable productwhich is resistant to blockages. It has enhanced,patented bypass door and emergency draindown facility with improved sealing, enablingremote access from the surface to bypass theinlet and independently drain the upstreamsystem. Easy installation is assured with fixingoptions for either flat sided or round manholechambers. The units are manufactured fromstainless steel to exact project requirements andare designed for reliable, efficient performanceand simple maintenance.

In projects where the ACO Q-Brake Vortex is notsuitable, the ACO Q-Plate offers an effectivealternative. This product line is available with orwithout remote bypass and drain down andcomes in flat and round manhole configurationsto simplify installation.

The ACO Q-Brake Vortex and Q-Plate offer highquality, yet economic solutions with rapiddeliveries to exact customer requirements and

will provide robust, reliable,long-term operation. Therange offers merchants theability to

provide a qualitymanufactured product whichsimply does the job it is supposedto. The range is complete, easy tosell, offers good margins and isdesigned to help customerscomplete the final stages of adrainage project quickly andwithout hassle.

ACO Q-Brake Vortex and Q-Plate

New Range ofWater Softeners

Leading showers and taps company Bristan haswon not one, but two national UK CustomerExperience Awards 2013. Bristan was namedoverall winner in both the Retail Contact Centreand Industrial categories.

Now in its fourth year, the UK Customer ExperienceAwards celebrate and promote excellence incustomer experience across a broad spectrum ofindustries. Top names vying for prestigious awardsincluded Virgin Media, Barclays, BT Group, DPD UK,LV=, Scottish Water and Disney Store.

During the morning, finalists in each of the 25categories presented their entries to independentjudges at The Grand Connaught Rooms, London.Winners were then announced during a gala meal.

Bristan won the award for its leading customer

service approach, which promises to make lifeeasier for both installers and merchants alike.Bristan’s dedicated aftercare service, Bristan Care,offers a technical support hotline, extendedproduct warranties and solid guarantees to helpensure the highest level of service and support.

Jeremy Ling, CEO of Bristan Group, commented:“Delivering an extraordinary customer experienceis a vital part of our mission statement. It’s fantasticthat this has been recognised with this award. Weremain committed to continue to do everythingwe can to make life easier for our customers.”

Neil Skehel, managing director of AwardsInternational, said the interest in the awards andthe standard of entries for 2013 has exceeded allexpectations.

“We are delighted with the quality ofentries for the UK CustomerExperience Awards and today gaveus a chance to celebrate with thefinalists and winners,” said Neil.

To find out more please go tohttp://www.uk-ce-awards.co.uk

Bristan Wins Two UK CustomerExperience Awards







The global leader in flexible couplings, drainageand plumbing systems - Flexseal - has bolsteredits channel drainage offering with a new rangeof lightweight polyethylene-base products fromDakota. Designed specifically for commercialapplications, this latest range provides a reliablesurface water drainage solution suitable for avariety of installations and complements thecompany’s existing line-up of domestic channeldrainage.

The only company to distribute this range in theUK, the new line-up is safe and easy to handlewithout compromising strength and resistance

to fractures, and the base of the channel drainsalso helps reduce damage to stock in storage.

Designed to maximise water flow characteristicsand self-cleaning properties, the new channeldrains feature an interlocking channel tongueand groove ‘snap’ joint that enables theinstallation of preassembled gratings onchannels to help save time during construction.An innovative body design also helps preventfloating during installation, whilst galvanisedsteel or ductile reinforced edge protectionprovides additional strength and a superioraesthetic finish.

Available in one-metre lengths and with achoice of 75mm and 150mminternal depths in BS EN1433 ClassC250, D400 and F900, thisstandard channel drainage isspecifically designed to withstandthe rigours of a variety ofcommercial installations. Anextended range of otherspecifications is also available toorder.

Rainwater systems blocked with leavesand other debris could be a thingof the past, thanks toHunter’s new Outlet LeafGuard, the latestaddition to itsunrivalled range ofPVC-U rainwaterproducts. It is adoddle to installand fits into any68mm rainwateroutlet andpreventsblockages byleaves and otherdebris, maintainingoptimum flow rates, andmaking gutters virtuallymaintenance-free – Jobs aGood un’.

The Outlet Leaf Guard will not detract from theclean lines of the rainwater installation withbulky, unsightly clips and is available in black –still by far the most popular colour forrainwater.

The Leaf Guard range also includes a GutterLeaf Guard which clips on to gutter without the

need for special tools or fixings and aDrain Leaf Guard designed to protect

outside drains from blockage. Itaccepts rainwater downpipes ofany size up to 110mm in

diameter and covers a drainopening up to 300mm wideand 265mm deep. It cansimply be screw fixed to thewall and removed to gainnecessary access.

HunterPlastics, partof the Aliaxis

Groupmanufactures a

wide ranges of PVC-U rainwater,soil and waste and undergrounddrainage systems in the UK.


Plumbing & Drainage

Turn over a new leaf with Hunter





Ideal Standard has extended its brassware rangefeaturing IdealBlue technology by adding thenew Concept Blue kitchen mixer. The new fittingoffers innovative water and energy savings andis healthier to use.

IdealBlue technology is a revolutionary systemengineered to use less water and energy. Theamount of water held in the tap when closed isreduced by 80%, the low water content reducesthe time taken to achieve the selected watertemperature by seven seconds, saving both waterand the energy to heat it.

The Concept Blue kitchen mixer will carry theEuropean Water Label which Ideal Standard hasintroduced across its entire range – a single labelacross Europe which clearly shows the volume ofwater that the tap will consume per minute ifinstalled correctly and in accordance withmanufacturer’s instructions, and offers an actualperformance band per product.

Richard Farrow, Fittings Product Manager, IdealStandard says, “Concept Blue pays for itself: savingwater and energy saves households money, andthose savings soon add up. The calculated savingfrom the basin mixer featuring IdealBluetechnology including a 5l/min outlet flowregulator is £174 per year. The equivalent savingsfor the kitchen mixer will be even higher giving apayback period of less than thirteen months.”

Key Features• IdealBlue technology saves water, energy andmoney

• A 5l/min aerated flow regulator reduces water use• A ceramic disc cartridge makes it suitable for atlow pressure systems, and allowssmoother, more sensitive handlecontrol even at high pressure

• Easy fix installation enables quickand effortless installation using onlyone hand under the basin

• Cool Body technology on the mixerensure the body is cool to the touchas a safety precaution

• Lead and nickel-free IdealPureinnovation improves water purity



New ConceptBlue Mixer

Flexseal’s New CommercialChannel Drainage Range

Polypipe Plumbing & Heating hasextended its range of advanced plasticplumbing fittings with the launch ofPolyMax. The new white push-fitfitting, developed following extensiveresearch, offers a streamlinedprofile creating anaesthetically pleasingsmooth line look forsurface mountedapplications, wherevisible fittings areunavoidable.

PolyMax joins the three other plastic pipefittings within the Polypipe Plumbing & Heatingrange – PolyFit, PolyPlumb and PolySure – andfollows demands from plumbers and heatingengineers for a fitting that is secure, easy toinstall, versatile and attractive.

In order to cover the majority of surfacemounted applications, PolyMax is available in

15mm and 22mm sizes. The rangeincludes fittings from straights,

elbows, tees and reducers totap connectors and fitting

release aids. It can be usedeither with Polypipe white

polybutylene pipe systems orcopper pipe.

James Bell, product manager for PlasticPlumbing, comments: “We understand that notwo jobs are the same, and for this reason wehave designed the most comprehensive rangeof application-driven solutions on the markettoday. With its streamline design, PolyMaxmeets the requirements of the repair,maintenance and improvement installer; it isreliable, attractive and simple to install. Each ofthe four fittings in our range - PolyMax,PolyPlumb, PolyFit and PolySure - offer

alternative jointing technologies to suit anyapplication, project and personal preference.”

Fittings within the Polypipe Plumbing andHeating range have been developed followingextensive research anddevelopment. PolyMax iskitemarked and British StandardClass S rated to BS7291 Part 1.

PolyMax will be available topurchase from merchantsnationwide. For more informationvisit www.polypipe.com/plumbing-heating or call thePolypipe team on 01709 770 000.

Brent Nicholls has been appointed tothe post of Managing Director – SouthWest Europe by Wavin, a leading Globalsupplier of water management,plumbing and drainage systems.

With a brief to increase profitability byenhancing customer service and valueto both customers and end users.Brent has spent the past fewmonths meeting customers andsuppliers in order to establish a“Way Forward” for deploying thecompany’s strengths to the bestadvantage of all stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of theWavin group, Maarten Roef CEOsaid: “Brent is a proven operator,with a superb track record in

driving business forward –especially in challenging times

such as these. The match of hisenergy and vision are such that not

only will he expand thecompany’s presence in thecrucial South West Europemarket; but also allcustomers will enjoytangible benefits from

improvements in service,

distribution and range”.

Brent brings a wealth ofcommercial and operationsexperience to the team, havingworked with the global packagingbusiness Amcor Group asOperations and ManagingDirector in different areas of thebusiness over the past 20 years.


Bathrooms & Showers



Tim Owen joins WPL’s successfulnational sales team, and will becovering the North East of England.

WPL is delighted to announce Tim as themost recent member to join its NationalMerchant Sales Team. Tim brings a wealth of

experience to the role having worked withBuilders’ Merchants for many years, mostrecently for all aspects of sales. His mostnotable success in his previous position wasto teach new employees sales techniques toenable their advancement in the merchantindustry.

Tim says about working for WPL, “I’m lookingforward to getting involved with challengingnew projects involving wastewater treatmentand rainwater harvesting. Looking forward toexperiencing the world of waste watertreatment from the other side ofthe counter”

WPL’s key wastewater treatmentbrands include the Diamond andHiPAF, plus the RainRetain rangeof rainwater harvestingsolutions. For more informationcall 023 9224 2600 or visitwww.wpl.co.uk.



Nicholls to focus on customers for Wavin

Polymax extends polypipe’s comprehensive range

New Regional Sales Executive for NE of England



In the same way that Henry Ford said you couldhave your car in any colour ‘so long as it’s black’,traditionally radiator manufacturers have saidyou can have their radiators in any colour, so longas it was white.

But that’s not the case any longer, with Stelrad….

Europe’s favourite radiator brand offers itsproducts in an amazing variety of colours! Thenew Caliente and Concord towel rails, Compactwith Style, Planar and Swing designs come in a

choice of 14 natural colours, 7 metallicsand 14 RAL colours, whilst the ClassicColumn, Concord, Vistaline and Ellipseradiators come in a huge 33 differentRAL colours and 3 metallics.

This brings a whole new meaning to thephrase ‘a shade for every room’ and will

delight interior decorators, architects, specifiersand discerning self-builders, determined to seetheir radiators as part of the décor.

"The huge range of colours that many of ourproducts are available in, brings a new range ofoptions for heating your home in colour," saysMarketing Communications Manager SarahBaker. "From stylish pastels to forceful sepias,greys and blacks – we offer pretty mucheverything to anyone – and whilst there’sinevitably a short waiting time for most of them,

it’s a wait worth building into your project to getexactly the right shades for your kitchen orbedroom, and whilst variations of white willalways be our best sellers, the increase incoloured radiators we’re seeing heading out ofthe factory says something specialabout the options available and thepeople out there choosing themfor their homes and designs…."

Full details of the colour range canbe found at www.stelrad.com oryou can call for information on0870 849 8056. Follow Twitter@Stelrad or www.facebook.com/StelradLimited.

Established in 1964, Fernox was the world’s firstwater treatment company to pioneer therevolutionary products such as the first domesticcorrosion inhibitor, flushing machine and Super-concentrate range of environmentally friendlychemicals. This heritage of innovation has been aproduct of a company-wide commitment toresearch and development and the company’sability to think ‘outside of the box’

Fernox benefits from a worldwide network of theindustry’s largest, purpose built, in-house researchand development facilities. It has a team of 58dedicated scientists from different disciplinesranging from chemistry, material science, tometallurgy, chemical and mechanical engineeringas well as nano technology, the majority of whomare PhD qualified and experts in their field.

This breadth of knowledge and experience hasallowed Fernox to create new and groundbreaking

products, such as the TF1 Compact,Express aerosol range, Energy Saver F6 and best-inclass heat transfer fluids - all designed to make iteasier for installers to use and for home-owners toget the best from their central heating systems.

The Fernox ethos of constant improvement alsoincludes its established products. The R&D teamtook the award-winning TF1 and developed a new,patented, ‘Twist Click and Lock’ mechanism,

making the unit even faster and easier to install.

Fernox has an ongoing product review system inplace to regularly update its line of chemicalproducts, using the latest technologies andformulations to ensure they are the highest quality,performing chemicals available. Inaddition, they have implementeddifferent dosing methods andapplications, such as the Supercon-centrate and Express range, makingit faster, easier and more convenientfor installers to use Fernox products.

For further information about FernoxR&D department, visit:www.fernox.com

Fernox – 50 years of Technical excellence





8 e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013

Heating

For more details see e-Xact home page

Heat Your Home - In Glorious Technicolour!

Danfoss High flow AB-QM ValvesIt is 10 years since Danfoss’s AB-QMpressure independent balancing andcontrol valve (PICV) revolutionisedthe HVAC industry. Now it iscelebrating with the introduction of twonew high flow models to the range.

The launch of 125mm and 250mmAB-QM valves means Danfoss nowoffers a complete collection of PICVcapable of handling any size ofapplication from DN10 - 250. Offeringflows up to 442,000 litres per hour forthe new 250mm model, the newABQM valves provide the potential forproject cost reductions by downsizingvalves.

“Danfoss AB-QM valves heralded an entirely newway of calculating, commissioning and installingbalancing solutions,” says Danfoss Marketing

Director, Bjorn Sejr Nielsen. “Ten years and onemillion installed valves later, the AB-QM hasbecome the preferred PICV for projects all around

the world,” he said.

Unlike a traditional two-way ormanual balancing valve, DanfossABQM is a control valve with a built-in

differential pressure controller whichprovides perfectly balanced, energy

efficient indoor climate control during allloads. Even if the pressure fluctuates due to

changes in demand, the AB-QM with a matchingDanfoss actuator will maintain a constant flow

across the valve, without the actuator having toconstantly adjust to compensate. This precisecontrol, together with reduced actuatormovements, under all loads helps tocut energy consumption. With AB-QM the problem of temperaturefluctuations in different parts of abuilding is reduced and stable roomtemperatures lead to a loweraverage temperature across thebuilding, so less energy is required toachieve the same comfort level foroccupants.



e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013 9www.e-Xact.co.uk

Highly durable Hardrow® Slates fromForticrete have been specified for therefurbishment of Vine Farm, a fifteenthcentury farmhouse in Morcott, Rutland,and Copthill Farm Cottage, aseventeenth century cottage inUffington, Lincolnshire, to complementthe existing natural stone of bothproperties.

Both cottages previously featured Collywestonstone slate roofs, a highly valuable natural slatewhich is no longer produced. As such, the localplanning authority had specific requirements thatneeded to be met to ensure that materials wouldblend seamlessly with the existing properties, aswell as the surrounding environment.

Forticrete's Hardrow Duets™ Slates in Barley werehandpicked by the farm owners of bothdevelopments to provide both a cost effectiveand aesthetically pleasing solution.

Roofing contractor for both projects, Nigel Smithof Claude N. Smith Ltd, commented: "From theoutset for both sensitive sites, it was essential thatthe Collyweston stone slate was replaced withslates that would not only be sympathetic to theold roof, preserving the original charm of thesetypically English properties, but didn’t carry theexpense of the use of natural slate.

Nigel continued, “Forticrete's Hardrow Slate offersthe same architectural properties as natural slate,with an aesthetically pleasing finish at a fractionof the cost, and so provided us with the perfectsolution. By combining two subtleblends of colour on each tile, there isvirtually no difference between theold and new concrete roof slates,ensuring both properties sitseamlessly within their existingvernacular. We are extremely pleasedwith this product and the final resultwe achieved.”

The September 2013 Catnic Lintelproduct selector is now available.The reduced sized 52-page brochure hasbeen redesigned toensure it containscomprehensive,user-friendlyinformation on thefull product range.Specifiers and tradeprofessionals can referto the brochure like ahandbook.

Catnic has been the pioneer ofsteel lintels for 40 years; it iscommitted to quality control andaims to achievecustomer satisfaction with its technical salessupport. The ‘Lintel Product Selector’ highlightsthese commitments, with detailed informationon improvements and new product ranges, suchas the new CTJ products. The brochure formspart of an extended suite of literature, includingLintel pocket guides, posters and price lists.

Catnic lintels are widely used and respectedthroughout the building industry; the guide is

ideal for enabling customers to understand thefeatures and benefits of theproducts available. CharmainePetty, Marketing Manager at Catnicexplains why this is a great tool forexisting and potential lintelcustomers:

“We aim to give the bestcustomer service possible, thebrochure flows better with alot more information to helpthe end user getspecifications right first time.It emphasises why Catniclintels are always the rightones for thejob.”

To get hold of your copy, pleasevisit www.catnic.com or ring029 2033 7900.You can also ‘like’ Catnic onFacebook –http://facebook.com/CatnicUK andfollow @Catnic UK on Twitter.

Perfect finish forrural setting

As construction returns to growth and pressurebuilds for more new homes to ease the housingshortage and boost the economy, clay brickmanufacturers are struggling to satisfy thegrowing demand from merchants andhousebuilders.

Edenhall’s concrete facing bricks are finding agrowing market with national housebuilders asthey are readily available and provide kerb appealat an affordable price. Edenhall is anindependent brick manufacturer and offersnational delivery without extended lead times tosupport site build programmes.

Edenhall’s facing bricks combine an impressivepalette of colours and finishes with all the

technical superiority of concrete. Recentlyintroduced sand-faced finishes offer anoutstanding match to clay. Alongside this, abrand new Sandstock range offers an attractiveantique stock brick in a frogged format.

Edenhall supplies brick from 8 factories locatedaround the UK, providing a carbon footprint thatis significantly less than for clay imports.Furthermore, concrete brick has none of the highembodied energy associated with clay brickproduction.

All Edenhall bricks are CE marked to the Europeanproduct standard EN 15804-3. Thecompany’s concrete facing brickoffers a remarkably fair match toclay when viewed as completedbrickwork. Colour matching isprecise, with tight control betweenbatches and the bricks remaincolourfast for their lifetime.

Edenhall brick eases supply chainpressure







Building Products

New Literature for Lintels

For more details see e-Xact home page10 e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013

Building Products

New Robust Details for use withCelcon Blocks

Robust Details E-WM-23 and 24 arenow available for a high-performancecavity separation wall constructionusing H+H aircrete blocks. The fullyfilled cavity solutions, designed toaddress the thermal insulationrequirements of Part L, provide a highacoustic performance which exceedsthe requirements of Part E sufficientlyto attract 3 credits under the Code forSustainable Homes.

H+H Standard Grade, High Strength Grade andSuper Strength Grade materials are all suitablefor use in the construction of E-WM-23 and 24

separating walls and flanking walls - H+H SolarGrade may also be used in flank walls. Thismeans a reduction in block types needed perproject and a decrease in the margin for errorand waste on site.

Both solutions only require that the separatingwall construction is finished with a conventional8 kg/m2 plasterboard on dabs. This eliminatesthe need to apply a wet parge coat to each sideof the wall.

The use of H+H’s aircrete in separating andflanking walls enables reduced heat loss at non-repeating linear bridges. Linearthermal bridging is a major sourceof heat loss and the use of aircreteparty walls reduces this by leakagethrough the masonry into the roof,floors and external walls. Heat lossfrom junctions can now accountfor up to 30% of the energy lostthrough the fabric of a building.

Hambleside Danelaw is offering asimple solution to abutmentdetails, with two new products toadd to the existing individualsoaker range providing even morecompatibly with tile and slatetypes.

Pre-formed individual Hambleside Danelawsoakers do not need to be fabricated or cut onsite,which guarantees a reduction in labourtime. They are manufactured frompolypropylene which has been specificallychosen for its thermal stability, resistance to UVlight, acid rain and wide temperature rangesuitability.

Two new soakers both fit discreetly under thetile: HD DTS for interlocking duo tiles such asthe Forticrete Gemini, Marley Ashmore andRedland Duo Plain; and HD RCS for interlockingCambrian Slate types. Installation is quick andeasy: simply place each individual soaker overthe batten and against the abutment beforeplacing the tile or interlocking slate on top.

Hambleside Danelaw offer a range of individualdry soakers compatible with most commonlyavailable interlocking flat and plain tiles andnatural/man-made slates. Hambleside Danelawindividual soakers are an environmentallyfriendly alternative to leadabutment soakers as they arelightweight and easy to installwithout having to use specialisttools. They can be fitted in anyweather conditions as the dry fixsolution means that there is noneed for mortar and the preformedsolution saves time onsite.

Fast waterproofabutments!





Faststack, the original pre-fabricated real brickslip chimney from Ibstock Kevington, is nowthe first of its kind to achieve British Board ofAgrément (BBA) accreditation.

With changes in planning criteria seeing thereintroduction of requirements for chimneystacks on many developments, the recentaccreditation from the BBA of FaststackChimneys gives the product the gold standardin terms of quality and performance.

Andrew Halstead-Smith, group marketingmanager at Ibstock, comments: “This new third-party approval for Faststack Chimneys just goesto show the original in the marketplace is still thebest quality, with its performance proven throughrigorous testing. It adds to the approval theproduct has already received from theConstruction Glassfibre Manufacturer’sAssociation (CGMA) and sets a new benchmarkfor quality.”

Andrew Halstead-Smith explains: “Not only canplanning requirements easily be satisfied soprojects fit with local vernacular, but once onsite the chimneys can be installed quickly andeasily as they are delivered to site complete.Using real brick slips means the chimney

weathers traditionally andperfectly matches the brick on themain building. Also, extensivefreeze-thaw and wind testingensures complete weather-resistance and stability.”

For more information on IbstockKevington’s range go towww.kevington.com.

Fast forward with BBA approvedFaststack chimneys




Building Products

Air quality and acoustics in commercial, retail andeducational buildings can be improved simplythrough installing Knauf Cleaneo Akustikperforated boards, which combine pollutant-reducing technology with exceptional soundabsorption and a striking seamless finish.

Incorporating the proven benefits of itspredecessor, Apertura, the Cleaneo Akustik rangeof perforated plasterboards from Knauf providesimproved air quality for a cleaner and safer

working environment. The range is enhanced withfour new boards that offer a four-sided taperededge profile that enables the boards to be tapedand jointed.

Available in twenty different perforation patternsto offer complete creative freedom, CleaneoAkustik plasterboards cut the amount of pollutantsand odours while still delivering market-leadingacoustic performance.

Designed to absorb sound energy, the perforationsin Cleaneo Akustik allow sound to pass throughbut disrupt its path, taking energy out on its returnand reducing echoes in a room. Used inconjunction with either Cleaneo Akustik Wall lineror Knauf MF Ceiling, the Cleaneo Akustik range canprovide fully-warranted acoustic systems that useproven fast drywall construction techniques tosupply unparalleled sound absorption

performance. The system is ideal for large publicspaces in retail centres, office complexes, hospitals,schools, showrooms, conference halls and galleries.

Cleaneo Akustik Linear has uniqueprecision-engineered lapped jointson all four edges so that the boardsbutt together quickly and easily,allowing perfect alignment ofperforation patterns in a fraction ofthe time needed for alternativemethods. A striking seamless finish ispossible by using Cleaneo Akustikboards with Knauf Uniflott to createa strong, tapeless joint.

KdB Insulation have launched their newLABC registered complete insulationsystem the Airgreen™ Hybrid System.

Airgreen (LABC registered), incorporates Home-Iso and any of the reflective insulation productsfrom the kdB range.

Home-Iso is a polyester based insulation madefrom recycled plastic bottles, using low energyand no chemical binders. It has a 25 year thermalperformance guarantee and is very safe, stable,

clean and easy to work with. KdB’s reflectiveproduct choices are Expert50, a highperformance multifoil, Airflex a sustainablereflective thermal bubble foil or Air-Reflect a fireresistant reflective vapour barrier. All productsare invidually certificated and CE marked inaddition to being registered in the Airgreensystem.

The Airgreen Hybrid system is very cost effective,quick and easy to install solution for roof, wallsand floors and achieves building regulations in a

sustainable way. The system eliminates thechallenges associated with installing traditionalrigid insulation in timberframes byensuring flexibility, quick andsimple install, airtightness, andlittle/no waste.

To find out more Check out ourlatest project athttp://www.kdbinsulation.com/projects/



Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell®Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) systemhas been installed to refurbishalmost 600 social housingproperties, across six tower blocks innorth Glasgow.

The project is expected to make significantsavings for residents in heating bills in anarea heavily affected by fuel poverty – up to£460 per year per home according to theEnergy Saving Trust.

Robert Tamburrini, CEO of NG Homes comments:“With so much invested in the project, we wantedto be sure we were choosing the most suitablesystem. Knauf Insulation is a strong brand with anexcellent reputation for high performanceinsulation solutions and this was a key factor in thedecision making process.”

Kenny Henderson, Managing Director of City

Technical Services (UK) Ltd, comments: “With theaim of completing as many of those as possible bythe CERT cut off date of 31st March, we needed asystem that was simple and quick to install –whilst delivering reliable thermal performance.The Knauf Insulation ThermoShell system is suchan easy system to use that it was the naturalchoice – and it has really helped make the projecta success.”

Knauf Insulation’s ThermoShell IWI system wasdeveloped specifically for ‘whole house – lowenergy’ refurbishments, delivering exceptionalthermal performance and comfort through a verystraightforward and easy to use installationprocess.

The simplicity of the ThermoShellIWI system allows an approvedinstaller to install and finish thesystem using a traditional plasterskim finish or dry lining techniques.

No scaffolding is required and thesystem can be installed on a roomby-room basis, or as part of a wholehouse refurbishment plan.



Newly Approved Insulation System from KdB

Cleaneo Akustik absorbs odours and sound with style

Towering targets for energy efficiency




Building Products

Taper, a new range of stair parts thatoffers a contemporary twist on traditionalstair design.

The Taper range includes newels, baserails,handrails and spindles, crafted in solid white oak toensure they will stay looking good for many years.The slimline spindles offer a sleek, alternativedesign, while maintaining the traditional shapethat end-users are accustomed to.

Enabling merchants to provide customers with arange of wood options, the stair parts are availablefrom stock so contractors can take advantage ofefficient lead times.

The range has also been designed to be as simpleto fit as possible. The handrails are pre-drilled andthe rake spindles are pre-cut. This enables installersto offer their customers a bespoke and affordablelook that is quick and easy to achieve.

Planning the design and purchasing the parts hasalso been made simpler thanks to the introductionof Richard Burbidge’s online ‘Stair Project’ tool. Thisallows contractors to work with customers tocreate the perfect staircase, leading to a hassle-freeinstallation process.

Paul Martin, Channel Marketing Manager atRichard Burbidge, said, “When investing in newstair parts customers want choice. This is why wehave invested heavily in product developmentover recent years, introducing a wide range ofunique and contemporary components to meetconsumers’ changing tastes.

“However, despite the demand for morecontemporary designs there is a need in themarket for something that is traditional, but withsubtle modern finishes. This is why we havelaunched Taper, which combinesclassic elegance with up-to-the-minute styling. The ideal product forinstallers, it is easy to fit and willallow them to meet the mostdiscerning customers’ demands.”

For more information on the newstair parts range, please visitwww.stairproject.co.uk

Of particular interest to both Merchant andHousebuilder will be the latest excitingdevelopment from Premdor VENEER MATCH. Thisnew range has been produced to offer trueveneer consistency for every door.

Available in Oak, Ash and Walnut, these real woodveneers reveal a matching colour and veneerfinish, thereby eliminating variations often foundwith traditional veneers.

With true veneer consistency of grain pattern andcolour between each and every door, VENEERMATCH is ideal for multi-door corridor locationsor any situation in the home or office where aconsistent appearance is desired.

With PEFC chain of custody, solidcore construction and an improvedsmooth lacquer finish, VENEERMATCH becomes the obviouschoice for quality and uniformity.

For further information visitwww.premdor.co.uk or call0844 209 0008.

Veneer Match - The latestinnovation from Premdor





The latest through bolt anchorfrom Spit Fixings range, the SpitFix3, is a fast and convenient heavyduty anchor suitable for a broadrange of applications in concrete,either pre-fastened or throughfixed.

This innovative new product has one of thehighest load capacities of any ETA Option 7approved anchor, limited only to the concretecone failure, and also boasts excellent edgeand spacing limitations. It is extremely versatileand is ideal for use in concrete applicationssuch as fixing columns, beams, brackets and

plates.

The Spit Fix3 ismanufactured in Europeand comes in a wide

range of sizes completewith clear sleeve and headmarkings for pre-installationand post-installationguidance. Each box alsocomes with a quickreference guide to helpachieve a fast and efficientfix on site.

If you would like furtherinformation about the SpitFix 3 or any other productsin the Spit Anchor range,please contact ITWConstruction ProductsCustomer Services on0800 652 9260.

About Spit, from ITW

In the UK we are committed to producing valueengineered products, ensuring 'total sitesolutions' that help the UK &Ireland construction industryimprove their on-siteproductivity.

With our two core brands Paslodeand Spit we are able to providethe complete fixing, fasteningand drilling solution for theprofessional user.



New Fix3 throughbolt anchors

Richard Burbidge Launches Taper,Stair Parts Range


Other News

Maurice Morton, Sales and MarketingDirector of workwear manufacturer, Dickies,looks at the importance of wearing the rightgear from top to toe to go with the job.

Ideal for working at height, CEapproved Dickies Safety Helmetsconform to British StandardBSEN397. These are madefrom a UV Stabilised highdensitypolyethylene with alarge area for printing logos.The six-point harness gives asecure fit and quickadjustment.

Action trousers such as Redhawk Men’sAction Trousers are lightweight and extremelycomfortable, with zipped pockets to secureloose items and external knee pads and

pouches. The Pro Redhawk Trouser is ideal forlarger work forces where the overall cost wouldprohibit going for a garment that has many

more features.

Dickies work coats and jackets havebeen tested in the toughest of

weather conditions to ensurethey protect wearers workingoutdoors. Available in a varietyof styles and colours, they offervarying levels of protectionfrom the wind, rain and cold.

The most popular and practicaloption is a black work coat, as dark

colours are the preferred choice when itcomes to washing your workwear jacket lessfrequently. The new Fulton Contract Jacket iswaterproof to 3000mm, seam stitched and

taped with a zip front and storm cuff, two weltpockets, one zip chest pocket, zip embroideryaccess and cuff adjusters.

Working at height requires boots, which willprovide good footing and anti-slipproperties. Dickies offer the AntrimSuper Safety Boot, which is smartyet highly durable and benefitsfrom a steel toe-cap and midsoleprotection with a full insock andpadded tongue for all roundcomfort.

Visit www.dickiesworkwear.com.

2013 marks 100 years since HarryBrearley, a Sheffield metallurgist,discovered a super-steel that was to havean enduring impact on everyday life allover the world.

Today, the high strength, corrosion resistance andaesthetic qualities of Stainless Steel mean its use iswidespread - from cutlery and kitchen sinks tosurgical instruments and sculptures - with newapplications being found all the time.

Like Harry Brearley, ANCON is an integral part ofSheffield’s industrial heritage. The company hasbeen fabricating steel in the city for over 130 yearsand was one of the first companies to recognisethe potential for Stainless Steel in buildingapplications, when it began developing its rangeof construction fixings in the 1960s.

The Ancon range now includes Stainless Steelcavity wall ties, brick support systems, masonry

reinforcement, tension bars and shear loadconnectors. Typically, the company’s productsprovide a critical connection within a structure, areinvisible once installed and are permanentlyunder load.

Stainless Steel is often preferred to carbon orgalvanised steels in these structural applications,

where inspection, maintenance or replacement ofthe components is either impossible orimpractical. Stainless Steel provides the necessaryintegrity and assurances required by designersand asset owners.

Luke Woollen, Ancon Technical Services Managersays, “The use of Stainless Steel inthe Construction Industry continuesto increase, especially as itssustainability benefits become morewidely recognised. It comprises upto 90% recycled material, offers lowthermal conductivity compared toother metals and is 100% recyclableat the end of a long, oftenmaintenance-free, service life.”

Ancon praises Stainless Steel in its centenary year





Dickies Provide Protection to the Installer Industry

Saniflo success for Cancer Research UKA team of 10 representing Saniflorecently walked to the top of Ben Nevisin Scotland to raise funds for CancerResearch UK. They completed the1,344-metre/10 mile hike in six hoursand raised £10,000 for the charity,beating their original target of £5,000.

The team included employees from all areas ofthe company and each of them had an individualsponsor target of £100. Saniflo also invitedcustomers, suppliers, colleagues, family andfriends to support the endeavor via the SanifloJust Giving Page at http://www.justgiving.com/Saniflo-Ltd-Ben-Nevis.

Saniflo UK managing director Tim Pestellcomments: “Raising £10,000 for Cancer ResearchUK is a great achievement. I’d like to thankeveryone who sponsored us. We had a greattime walking Ben Nevis although it was very

grueling at times due to the rocky terrain, ourvarying fitness levels and the mistthat shrouded us as we gottowards the top. There were noinjuries, just a few aching limbs atthe end of it. Now we’re lookingforward to presenting the moneyto Cancer Research UK andknowing that the funds will be putto great use.”



Dickies FultonContract Jacket

Other News


Hanson UK’s 2013 Performanceand sustainability report showsmany on-going positiveachievements in the company’ssustainability performanceagainst a backdrop of fallingproduction volumes and a toughoperating climate.

The report covers the calendaryear 2012 and reports onperformance against five clearthemes – people; carbon; waterand biodiversity, waste and rawmaterials and systems. It was animportant year for Hanson interms of measuring its sustainability performanceas many of the targets set when the businessbecame fully integrated in 2008 had December2012 as the end-point.

Paul Lacey, Hanson UK’shead of sustainability, said:“We have been able toreview and monitor ourperformance over the lastfour years and set newchallenging targets to takeus towards 2020.

“The clear message toemerge is that we havedone well, despite havingexperienced the toughestfew years the industry hasseen for more than ageneration. Inevitably

some key targets were missed as our effortswere hampered by the continuing fall inproduction volumes which meant many of oursites were working below full capacity, reducing

their efficiency.

“But lost time injuries have fallen significantly, theamount of waste being sent to landfill is down by35 per cent since 2009 and our target to divertfrom landfill at least half the by-passdust generated by cementproduction has also been met.”

Hanson’s 2013 report has beenprepared under the internationallyrecognised guidelines of the GlobalReporting Initiative (GRI) and can beviewed online atwww.hanson-sustainability.co.uk

Paslode is embarking on a new era intheir gas nailing technology with theintroduction of a range of PaslodeLithium tools. They offer the perfectcombination of power and control.

The new IM360Ci, PPN35Ci, IM65 and IM65ALithium tools benefit from a quick charge, longlife lithium battery, which provides up to 7,500shots per hour charge and allows the tools to fire25% more shots per charge than other Lithiumnailing tools.

The Series-i tools, the IM360Ci Lithium FramingNailer and PPN35Ci Lithium Positive PlacementNailer, use ground-breaking ‘Start & Go’technology, which helps to prevent unnecessarybattery discharge thanks to a unique movement

sensor. The clear LED gauges help ensure thatyou will never be caught without power on site.

The IM360Cihas animpressivepower toweigh ratio of105 jouleswhich, whencombinedwith animprovedaggressive

nose probe that grips the timber and allows thetool to get into tighter angles, guarantees thebest possible fix. The PPN35Ci Positiveplacement tool boasts a fast Hole Locator Probe,

ideal for fastening joist hangers, truss clips andany metal strapping, and uses unique hardenedtwist nails which ensure improved strength andquality of the fixing. The efficiencyof the tool helps to providesignificant time and cost savingson site.

Both tools benefit from Paslode’sIntelligent Fuel Injection systemwhich allows the user to work inextreme hot and cold conditions(+49° to -15°C).

The New Paslode 1st and 2nd fix Lithium Range





Hanson sets new sustainability targets towards 2020

In the most demandingconditions, when youneed a trouser that’stougher than tough, youneed the new RhinoTrouser from Blackrock.With ultra strength 390gsm heavy duty canvasfabric that’s 50% strongerthan standardpolycotton, triplestitching at all stresspoints and contrasting

super durable impact fabric on high wear areas,this beast will stand up to any challenge! Withmultiple pockets to keep tools handy, practicalityis combined with Rhino’sdurability to give a trulysuperb trouser.

The Rhino trouser isanother great additionto the Blackrock brand, which offersmerchants a complete head to toe rangeof workwear, safety footwear and personalprotective equipment, all smartly packagedfor retail self-selection.

Fully loaded with heavy duty features, the Titan

from ProDec Advance has been engineered to bethe ultimate cage frame. The unique handledesign has the bar sunk rightthrough the handle, makingbreakage virtually impossible; the

US style main bar gives increasedtorque with extension poles and

25% thicker cage wire withlocking nuts to prevent it

detaching make it ideal forheavy duty applications such

as rough surfaces. Don’t justtake our word for it - ProDec

are so confident in theTitan Frame that it comes

with a lifetimeguarantee.



Blackrock’s RhinoTrouser ChargesInto TheMarket

Titan of all cageframes


Other News

C2C for COINSFoundationTeams and individuals from VINCI,Osborne, COINS and other companiestook part in the COINS Coast to CoastChallenge 2013. This cycling challengeran over three days, from 18th to 20thOctober. Participants cycled a total of130 miles from West to East, fromWorkington across England toTynemouth.

On the first day, the participants cycled fromWorkington to Penrith - covering 50 miles in asingle day. Everyone had a warm shower andmeal before settling down and gearing up forthe next day – the hardest day of the challenge.

It was a struggle to get back on the saddlecome day two, especially when the weatherwas so grey. This was a very tough day, withmost of the time spent climbing, but everyonemanaged to make it to the hotel in one piece.

On the third and last day, everyone was in highspirits. After conquering the last few hills of thechallenge, the cyclists sped down intoNewcastle - a few collisions on the way - andthrough to Tynemouth where they raced ontothe beach and dipped their wheels into theNorth Sea with relief.

Roy Kruger from VINCI commented “Everyonepushed themselves to the limit, so at somepoint even the fittest peoplestruggled.”

This challenge has raised almost£3,500 for COINS Foundation. Ifyou would like to donate, pleasevisit: http://www.justgiving.com/COINSFoundation

or scan the QR code >

Scan hereto donate

now

The 2013 Construction Opportunitiesfor Mobile IT (COMIT) conference wassponsored by COINS mobile, sistercompany of e-Xact. Held at theInstitute of Physics in London, theevent drew more than 90 delegateskeen to learn about the developmentsin the world of construction IT, BIMand mobility.

In his keynote speech, Phil Jackson from theInstitution of Civil Engineers (ICE) talked about

liberating data and making it available outsideof proprietary systems. He emphasised theimportance of turning data capture into opendata via linked data and analytics in order toprovide knowledge for everyone.

Neill Pawsey, Senior Project InformationSubject Matter Expert at Crossrail, describedthe experience of deploying mobile IT on sucha large project. He also gave some veryconservative examples of the measurablebenefits and how they could be used to justifythe hardware costs.

Harrison O’Hara, Mobile BIM Technician forCostain spoke on the challenges facing mobiletechnology in terms of people and culturalchanges as well as the health and safety issuesof using mobile technology onsite.

There were also presentationsfrom the BIM Task Group, COMIT,Appear, and futurist FrancisRabuck.

For more information about thework of COMIT, visitwww.comitproject.org.uk

Comit Construction round up



Andrew Davies and Ken Gouldingof COINS-mobile

Welcoming new head ofCOINS eBusinessConstruction Industry SolutionsLtd (COINS) and its subsidiary e-Xact Online are delighted towelcome Barbara White as thenew head of the COINS eBusinessdivision.

The eBusiness division is responsible for e-XactOnline and a portfolio of products includingelectronic Procure to Pay and other solutionsserving the supply chain industry.

Barbara has been with COINS for 7 years andprior to that worked for 6 years at a major Irishconstruction contractor.

She is supported by the excellent team ate-Xact that includes;

Sharika Fernando (e-Xact Account Manager)

David Hyde (Business Development Manager)

Jake Lloyd (Digital Content Administrator) and

Sophie Bounford (Digital Content Administrator).



According to information presentedat the annual Housing Market

Intelligence Report 2013 launchevent, the immediate outlook forhome building is bright, withturnover, prices, production andprofits up.

The event, sponsored by e-Xact’s parentcompany COINS and held at the BritishMuseum on 9th October 2013, was soldout with over 230 delegates and themajority of the top 75 UK home buildersrepresented.

Here are a few highlights from the HMIReport:• Buyer interest has increased, house prices are rising and confidence in the housing market seems stronger.

• The improvement may only be temporary. Help to Buy and low interest rates are time limited and a

new government in two years’ time could shift policy.

• Inflated house prices might be good in the short term, but they may hinder the longer term healing of the market.

• Cost control has proved extremely useful weapon in improving margins. Major home builders such as Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey have successfully held costs down as a proportion of selling price.

The Housing MarketIntelligenceReport 2013 is published byHousebuilder in associationwith the House BuildingFederation. You may order acopy of the report fromHousebuilder Media bycalling 020 7960 1630.

16 e-Xtract / Issue 2 - 2013 www.e-Xact.co.uk

Your chance to win £150 in CashFor the chance to win £150 in cash simply provide the answers to thequestions below in an email with the title Competition 29(not forgetting to include your name, company and contact details)to [email protected] no later than 28th February 2014.

1. Who is County Building Supplies Malvern Branch Manager ?

2. Which company has recently launched their new insulationsystem, the Airgreen™ Hybrid System?

3. How many pages are there in the September 2013 Catnic Lintel product selector?

Scott Wallis, Manager, SCP BuildingProducts

Scott Wallis is the winner of last issue’s trivia contest.Scott is company manager at SCP Building Products inTotnes, Devon where he has worked for 4 years. He notonly sells building products, he also consumes them.Scott plans to put his winnings towards his new home.

Congratulations on winning!

Our competitionwinner...

News

Over 120,000 product features and benefits (sales bullet points)

Extended descriptions giving detailed product usage information

Information about how products comply (CE, BS, EN, WRAS, FSC, etc.)

Over 97,000 product images

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Closing date 28th February 2014. All correct emailed entries will be entered into a draw. Onewinner will receive a £150 prize. No alternative prize will be offered. Only one entry per person.Winner will be notified by email within 28 days of closing date. For details of winner send an SAEto promoter’s address: e-Xact Online, 11 St Laurence Way, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2EA

To find out more or arrange a demonstration, call 01753 501000

Housing Sector looking up



e-Xact datafeeds to users websites and back-office systems provide:

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