GIB® News Issue Two 2016 1
SYSTEMS
by Gordon White
Market Manager
Residential
Based on lessons derived from
the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes
GIB EzyBrace® Systems have been
updated to offer improved design
flexibility and further simplification of
the bracing design and build process.
The update includes:
GIB EzyBrace® 2016 Design Software
— Improved user interface with
simplified bracing design process.
— Increased functionality including
exterior line check function, easy
insert/deletion of bracing elements
and built-in software help function.
— Includes the new GIB® Bracing
element GS2-NOM.
— Allows the GIBFix® Framing System
to be used in GIB EzyBrace® designs
for reduced potential fastener pop and
enhanced thermal performance.
New GIB® Bracing Element GS2-NOM
GS2-NOM is a new bracing element
added to GIB® Bracing Systems. GS2-
NOM allows internal walls lined with
GIB® plasterboard on both sides and
fastened off as per the standard fixing
requirements of the current GIB® Site
Guide to contribute to bracing resistance.
Key benefits of the GS2-NOM bracing
element include:
— Potential to reduce the amount of
fasteners and GIB HandiBracs®
required to be used* .
— Encourages more even bracing
distribution throughout the building.
— Allows most homes to be braced with
a single lining type so that a high quality
interior finish is maintained throughout.
* Actual savings dependent on building
and bracing design.
Update to openings in bracing elements
and ceiling diaphragms
— Large hole specification updated to
use a more conservative methodology.
— Guidance included for fireplace flues
and rangehoods.
— New GIBFix® Framing System.
News
Putting customers first with improved tools, products and services. — GIB EzyBrace® System 2016 software update
— Passive fire protection
— GIB® at DesignEx
GIB EzyBrace® Systems update
above: GS2-NOM corner fastener pattern.
Issue Two 2016
More on page 2.
GIB® Bracing Element GS2-NOM
GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 32
THE TEAM BEHIND THE GIB® HELPLINE
HELPLINE
by Nellie Kumar
Call Centre
Team Leader
When you call the GIB® Helpline, 95% of
the time, within 15 seconds, your call will
be answered with a cheery hello. This
may not seem particularly revolutionary,
but when there are almost 10,000 calls
to the GIB® Helpline in a month, most of
them complicated orders to input into
the system, technical issues to escalate
to our training team, delivery enquiries,
product questions and pallet collections,
you start to realise that quick pick up,
that cheerful greeting, that level of service
is something remarkable.
The GIB® Call Centre has ten Customer
Support team members answering your
calls. Many of the team have been with
Winstone Wallboards for over 20 years
which gives the Call Centre an enviable
level of knowledge of GIB® products and
systems. With the level of calls and the
added complexity of Delivered to Site
deliveries and commercial orders, Norma
Seym has recently been welcomed to
the team to ensure that we are always
able to answer your call.
The women in the GIB® Call Centre have
to be proactive and perceptive to
make sure that you are ordering all the
right components for a full GIB® system,
or that your order isn’t over weight for
the delivery truck your order has been
assigned. To this end, they will double
check key information with you and with
merchants and work with you and your
contractor to ensure that sites have been
checked and are clear for delivery.
So give us a call — we’ll be with you in
fewer than 15 seconds.
OPERATIONAL FOCUS
FOREWORD
by David Thomas
General Manager
Along with the rest of the Building
industry, we have certainly enjoyed the
benefits of the increased activity levels in
our sector. However I might add that at
times our resources have been severely
stretched in our efforts to maintain our
service levels.
One of the initiatives our Supply Chain
team has pursued has been out-
sourcing some activities to third party
providers, allowing us to commit people
and facilities to our core business. One
noticeable feature in recent months has
been an increase in the type of work and
services expected of us and an increase
in the level of technical advice being
sought by different people.
We expect this to increase over the
next year in line with the forecast higher
activity levels, as many participants seek
to do more with the same resources.
Accordingly, our focus during this time
will be on doing the basics correctly
across the entire organisation, ensuring
that we deliver quality products to you
when you want them and that we service
your information requirements in a timely
and helpful manner. At the same time we
will look to make a few, but significant,
changes to our offers which we believe
will either improve your efficiency
and effectiveness or make it easier
to engage with us.
Most of these changes are discussed
in this edition of GIB® News, including
our moves to build the knowledge and
capability of our market facing people.
I do believe that this process will take
some time but I am confident that we
will continue to supply the market in a
manner that will see us ranked in the
upper echelon of suppliers to the
Building industry.
New GIBFix® Framing System
The GIBFix® Framing System is an
enhanced timber framing system.
Compared to conventional timber framing
the GIBFix® Framing System offers:
— Reduces potential for fastener pop
and joint cracking as a result of timber
frame movement.
— Reduced potential for on-site call backs.
— Improved thermal performance.
— Fully integrated into GIB EzyBrace®
Systems.
— GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread Screw
design for fastening GIB® plasterboard
to both timber or metal.
To achieve optimal framing and
bracing design efficiency, Winstone
Wallboards recommends the use of
the GIBFix® Framing System used in
conjunction with the GIB EzyBrace®
System. For more information go to
gib.co.nz/gibfix.
REDUCTION OF GIB QUIETLINE® RANGE
PRODUCTS
by Nicole Stock
Market Manager
Commercial
GIB Quietline® and GIB Tone® Quiet
TilesTM have been particularly successful
since their launch two years ago. With
greater awareness of acoustics in all
spaces, and many buildings, like schools,
requiring certain levels of reverberation
control, GIB Quietline® and GIB Tone®
Quiet TilesTM offer a cost effective,
attractive solution to absorb and disperse
sound, making spaces more comfortable.
In an effort to supply a better, timelier and
higher quality product to market, from
September the range will be consolidated
to four board perforation patterns and one
tile perforation pattern.
The patterns that will continue to be
available include:
— GIB Quietline® Circle 8mm
8 Panel with 10% Perforation.
— GIB Quietline® Circle 15mm
— 8 Panel with 10% Perforation.
— GIB Quietline® Circle 15mm
8 Panel with 20% Perforation.
— GIB Quietline® Random 1
Panel with 15% Perforation.
— GIB Tone® Quiet TilesTM:
Circle with 15% Perforation.
Please contact Winstone Wallboards
to query if you have any specifications
or orders for boards or tiles that will
no longer be manufactured. Winstone
Wallboards will work with you to supply
the correct specification or find a
suitable replacement.
NEW ACCESSORIES
PRODUCT
by Cath Montgomery
Product Manager
To help ensure that you get the best
possible result when installing plasterboard
in the new GIBFix® Framing System there
are two new accessories available from
Winstone Wallboards.
GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread
The first is the GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread
32x7mm screw. The Dual Thread screw
has been developed specifically for use
in the GIBFix® Framing System to ensure
that it can perform well in both the metal
and timber substrates.
Like all GIB® Grabber® Fasteners the Dual
Thread screw has the following features:
— Sharp threads that are heat-treated
for hardness.
— Gold passivated finish to prevent
corrosion.
— Sharp point for fast penetration.
— No2 Philips recess that is deep,
positive and no-sticking.
To ensure you have the right screws
for the job remember if it doesn’t say
‘G’ then it’s not GIB® Grabber®.
GIBFix® Angle
The GIBFix® Angle is a 45 x 45mm 90
degree angle to support corner joints
and reduce potential corner cracking.
It is knurled to provide more accurate
fastener placement making using the
GIBFix® Framing System quick and easy.
For more information call the GIB® Helpline
on 0800 100 442 or visit gib.co.nz/gibfix
GIB EZYBRACE® SOFTWARE RELEASE
PRODUCTS
by Richard Hunt
Technical Engineer
The GIB EzyBrace® calculator is a
software tool to determine the required
wind and earthquake bracing demand
and to design the bracing resistance for
light timber-framed buildings constructed
in accordance with NZS 3604:2011.
The updated GIB EzyBrace® calculator
released in August 2016 combines an
up-to-date user-friendly interface with
the latest knowledge relating to the
performance of GIB® plasterboard in
light timber-framed structures when
subjected to high winds or earthquakes.
The calculator can be downloaded for
free by visiting gib.co.nz/ezybrace and
can be installed in a Microsoft® or
Apple® Mac environment.
Key changes to GIB EzyBrace®
Systems 2016 Software
The GIB EzyBrace® 2016 Software has
been updated to be more intuitive and
easier to operate.
Improved functionality
— Easily add or delete bracing lines.
— Easily alter GIB® Bracing elements
mid plan or include custom
bracing elements.
— Exterior line check function.
— Improved opening, printing and saving
functions – now select from up to 10 of
your most recently saved plans.
— Handy in built help function providing
the answers to common design
questions such as wind zones,
earthquake zones and cladding weight
to meet NZS3604 requirements.
— Help can be accessed by pressing
the ‘?’ symbol which displays a
window with further information.
Availability
GIB EzyBrace® Systems 2016 Software
now available for both Microsoft and Mac
operating systems.
Download GIB EzyBrace® 2016 design
software from gib.co.nz/ezybrace
top: You can clearly see the two different threads on the image above. above: The knurled GIBFix® Angle, installed in a new house build, helps the builder to accurately fasten the angle to the framing. above: Some of the available patterns of GIB Quiteline®.
back row, left to right: Kaylene Robinson, Lyn Muavae, Helen Schaaf, Gail Haliday front row, left to right: Kelly Southward, Neelam Khatri, Valery Westbury, Norma Seym. Away: Judi Irving.
Insulation
Insulation*Optional
GIB® plasterboard
Stud
Stud
Traditional wall framing layout
Insulation
Insulation*Optional
Stud
GIB® plasterboard
GIBFix® Angle
GIBFix® wall framing layout
GIBFix® Framing System wall layoutTraditional wall framing layoutGIB EZYBRACE® SYSTEMS UPDATE cont’d from page one
GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 54
NATIONAL SALES AND CHANNEL TEAM ORGANISATION ANNOUNCEMENT
NEW APPOINTMENTS
by Bryan Young
National Sales and
Channel Manager
With an ever changing market environment
it is important to ensure our internal
structures, particularly in customer
interface positions, are well designed
for today and out into the future. After
a very robust process of analysis and
consultation we are making a significant
change to the set-up of the Sales Team
organisation. We want to expand our
coverage and increase local availability
to our customers.
Winstone Wallboards is delighted to
announce that four new ‘Lead Roles’
have been created and successfully filled:
— Dale Hammett has been appointed
to the Area Sales Manager Lead,
South Island.
— Andrew Campbell has been
appointed to the Area Sales Manager
Lead, Auckland North/West (including
Northland).
— Kelly Littlewood has been appointed
to the Area Sales Manager Lead,
Auckland South/East (including
Waikato, Bay of Plenty & Gisborne).
— John Kitchen has been appointed
to the Area Sales Manager Lead,
Architectural/Commercial.
These new roles took effect on 1 July 2016.
This is a significant change in organisational
structure, however, the sales team have
embraced the change very positively and
we are sure we will improve on our already
high performing team.
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION — ‘GET IT RIGHT’ FPANZ SEMINAR SERIES
TECHNICAL
by Graeme Robertson
Senior Technical
Advisor
Passive fire protection has been a hot
topic lately. Examples of poor specification
and installation have recently been
revealed in both existing and new
construction. Not getting it right could
have serious consequences for building
occupants in a fire, not to mention liability
for designers, inspectors and installers.
A fire cell is designed to contain a fire
and protect people, including the fire
fighters, from the uncontrolled spread
of flame, smoke and gas. Smoke and
gas are the number one killers in a fire.
Fire gases are superheated, reaching
temperatures in excess of 600oC in less
than four minutes, shooting metre long
jets though tiny cracks and gaps in a
wall. You don’t want this coming at you
through a wall on your escape route or
setting fire to the room you’re in!
In April ‘hands on’ FPANZ workshops
were held in Auckland in conjunction with
Winstone Wallboards aimed at those
FPANZ members who are installing
and quoting fire stopping of service
penetrations. They provided the theory,
handy tips and practical side of fire
stopping for cables, sprinkler pipe,
conduit, a small cable tray and a manual
call point installed through a plasterboard
wall with actual examples from five
different suppliers.
Key learnings from the sessions were
that penetrations through passive fire
protection (PFP) elements must be:
— Planned and correctly specified
at the design stage.
— Tested and certified by the
manufacturer for the specific
intended use.
— Correctly installed at the right time,
according to the manufacturer’s details.
— Identified with a ‘Firestop Penetration
Label’ for maintenance, inspection
and BWOF.
The Fire Protection Association of
New Zealand (FPANZ), a not for profit
member organization, was established
in 1975 and is supported by Winstone
Wallboards. It is the national body for fire
safety and provides information, services
and education to the fire protection
industry and the community at large.
NEW RECRUITMENTS
RICHARD EATON
Architectural Specifier
Representative
Relationships and support with the
Architectural Specifier fraternity has
always been an important facet of
Winstone Wallboards’ business and the
current industry environment has meant
this area is even more crucial.
Richard Eaton has been appointed
to the position of Area Sales Manager,
Architectural.
Richard has worked extensively as an
architectural technician for a number of
architectural practices, mostly in New
Zealand but also in the UK, and comes
with a wealth of experience on a variety
of architectural projects including retail,
commercial, educational and residential
projects. He brings a skill set that we see
as crucial in the current environment.
Knowledge around BIM objects, the
New Zealand Building Code, design,
plan drafting, building consent processes
and client liaison will be very beneficial to
Winstone Wallboards.
Richard will be working very closely with
John Kitchen (Area Sales Manager Lead,
Architectural/Commercial).
STEVEN LINDSAY
Area Sales Manager
We are pleased to announce that Steven
Lindsay has been appointed to the
position of Area Sales Manager based
in Christchurch. He brings a range of
experience with over 25 years in the
building industry with the last twelve
years with Paslode as National Group
Housing/Commercial Manager. Steven
will bring deep knowledge of both
Commercial and Residential Construction
along with strong relationships with key
building merchants around Christchurch
and the South Island.
Steven joined the high performing
Christchurch team on 9 May and will be
working closely with Dale Hammett (Area
Sales Manager Lead, South Island) and
we are very pleased to have him
on board.
SCHEDULE ADEQUATE TIME FOR STOPPING COMPOUNDS TO DRY
PRODUCT
by Robert Steele
Technical Manager
Products
Why does a compound jointing system
work fine in summer and then sometimes
during a cold and/or wet period in winter
appear to shrink back, or take an age
to dry?
It’s all about water, and how quickly water
can evaporate from a surface to air, to
ensure the jointing compound has dried.
Why do compounds need to be dry
completely before the next coat is applied?
— If a jointing coat is not dry, it has not
finished shrinking.
— If a second coat is applied to a first coat
that is not dry, it cannot correct the
shrinkage in the first coat that has not
happened yet, so is more likely to shrink
as well, creating more shrinkage.
— If a top coat of air drying compound is
applied to a wet jointing coat, it may
bubble or pin hole, as well as shrink.
— If a joint is damp or wet, and paint
is applied, the paint can bubble
on application.
— If a joint is damp or wet, the paint can
take longer to dry, which can result
in adhesion issues between the paint
and the compound.
— Delayed shrinkage can result in
expensive call backs. Delayed
shrinkage can occur months after
stopping has been completed. In very
poor drying conditions, drying can be
delayed and then further delayed with
the application of paint over the joint.
Then when the weather improves, the
final drying and shrinkage will occur
and may require remedial work.
It is stated on GIB Tradeset® bags under
“Drying times” that 24 hours during
normal conditions is usually sufficient.
In a laboratory at 21°C and 60% relative
humidity, a base coat of GIB Tradeset®
on GIB® Standard Plasterboard and
paper tape takes up to 14.5 hours to dry.
Construction sites are not laboratories
and will cool down overnight and
continually fluctuate in humidity and
temperature. The average humidity level
in the main centres of New Zealand
varies between 80% and 84%, meaning
much less drying and longer drying times
compared to the laboratory results. So
weather conditions with a high of 20°C
and normal humidity results in advice
to leave the joint for 24 hours before
application of the next coat due to the
variables noted. In cold, wet weather
these times are inappropriate, and either
a considerably longer time frame should
be allowed for drying of the joint, or
heating should be employed, or both.
How to get each coat dry in poor
drying conditions?
— Leave for at least twice as long a
period of time to dry as per normal,
or more if possible.
— Open a window by about 100mm
at each end of the structure so air
change can occur and humidity within
the structure is lowered overnight, to
achieve better drying conditions.
— Use heaters to heat the building
overnight. Avoid heating above 18°C
as this can cause other issues. Whilst
heating the structure, leave the windows
open slightly to ensure air change to
enable lower humidity air in to aid drying.
— If very wet, or foggy, use a
dehumidifier overnight only with the
structure sealed from the outside.
Do not leave the windows open when
using a dehumidifier system.
left to right: John Kitchen, Kelly Littlewood, Dale Hammett and Andrew Campbell.
GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 76
EVENTS
by Nicole Stock
Market Manager
Commercial
Described as New Zealand’s foremost
design, interiors, and lighting trade
exhibition, DesignEx ran between
4–6 August at the Horncastle Arena,
Christchurch. Winstone Wallboards
has been involved with BuildEx
and DesignEx for a number of years,
but this year, we wanted to do
something different.
We worked with Sarosh Mulla, Liz
Tjahjana and Aaron Paterson from
award winning architects Paterson
Architecture Collective (PAC) to design a
stand that rethought what a tradeshow
stand could be. How could we use
design to create a surprising experience
when you walked into the space?
How could we create an oasis from
the bright lights and bustle of the show?
How could we present GIB® products
in a raw and unique way?
Tradeshow stands tend to be bright
displays showcasing new products; the
design of the stand simply a backdrop
for the sales pitch. We thought, if it’s
designers visiting the stand — let’s
give them a design experience first
and foremost, while also creating an
environment where they can talk with
our technical team.
The design has a square footprint
with the three exterior walls made
up of vertical fins of unstopped
GIB® plasterboard.
The fins fan out at different widths
creating a louvered effect that screens
the stand but also opens up to invite
visitors inside. Placed in the centre
of the stand, plinths allow the team to
display models of our systems including
new GIBFix® Framing and the GIB®
Intertenancy Barrier systems.
The architects, along with the craftsmanship
of builder Patrick Donoghue, managed to
create something unique for visitors
to DesignEx. If you missed out on
seeing the GIB® stand and want to learn
more about about our updates to the
GIB EzyBrace® software and solutions
for Terrace Homes, give our technical
team a call to arrange a training on any
of our products and systems.
TALKING TRADE
TECHNICAL
by Dale Olsen
Technical Support
and Training Manager
Most of us will have heard recent reports
from the industry regarding substandard
work being carried out. While this problem
is not entirely new it seems to grow when
the building sector is in boom times. There
is a high demand on all trades at present
and it can be a balancing act between
trying to keep up with the work itself and
the need for learning what we don’t know,
but also what we should know.
Reports advise that housing markets like
Auckland are changing fast with the types
of buildings we are constructing. It is
predicted that in 2017 approximately 50%
of all the homes built in Auckland will be
apartment or terraced style homes.
The nature of this construction comes with
new challenges for the designer, project
manager, builder and the building inspector.
It’s immediately noticeable that access to
these sites is very tight with little space for
scaffolding, rubbish skips, materials and
deliveries. Scheduling and coordination
becomes a vital part in the project’s success.
These projects also have an increased
number of performance systems coming
together like fire, noise, bracing and wet areas
being used in the same areas of the building.
The Training and Support Team at
Winstone Wallboards is made up of
people from the trade and design sector.
They understand the needs of the
people on site and behind the drawing
board because they have been there.
The team is able to come to site or your
place of work and provide training on the
systems that are specified on the job.
The presentations are delivered in a
friendly conversational style and can be
tailored to suit your needs and that of the
audience. Visit the GIB® website to fill out
a training request sheet. gib.co.nz/training.
THE GROWTH OF TERRACE HOMES
TECHNICAL
by Nicole Stock
Market Manager
Commercial
Housing has frequently made the headlines
over the past few months. As well as a
shortage of good quality, affordable houses
around the country, events like the debates
around the Unitary Plan in Auckland have
put attention on the building industry and
the forces that shape our cities.
New Zealand is growing and changing,
and our cities, in different ways,
need to respond to those changes.
Demographics are changing with an
aging population and more single or
couple households. How people want
to live is also changing. As proximity
to transport and urban centres rise
in desirability, there is a shift by many
away from large standalone houses
to apartments or terrace homes. And
of course, as prices hit record levels,
particularly in Auckland, choosing a
smaller home becomes a necessity
for many.
BRANZ has forecast that by 2017,
multi-unit dwellings with make up a third
of all new consented dwellings, and,
in Auckland, this will be closer to 50%.
Some of these multi-unit projects will be
apartments, but a great number will be
terrace homes. Over the past four years,
there has been a steady rise in the
number of consents for terrace homes
as a percentage of total dwellings,
sitting currently at 21%. With planning
changes, and a need to build more
homes, this figure looks set to continue
to rise.
However, in our research we found
that while many of these houses are
being developed, there is a gap in
experience and expertise by designers,
builders and inspectors in the shift from
detached houses to attached houses.
Terrace homes have fire and acoustic
requirements that standalone houses
needn’t consider as well as tighter
programming, planning and space
constraints. We realised that architects
and contractors needed two things:
— Cost effective, high performance
intertenancy systems that are easy
to detail and install.
— Better information on the requirements
and considerations of terrace homes,
including an overview of different
systems and effective ways to compare
those systems.
Shortly, we will be launching new
GIB® Intertenancy Barrier Systems for
Terrace Homes as well as the GIB®
Terrace Home Guide. Offering both
guidance and robust solutions, we hope
to support the industry in building more
and better homes.
GIB® stand at DesignEx
GIB® HELPLINE 0800 100 442
above: Render of the GIB® DesignEx pavilion.
Get in touch via our website gib.co.nz
Call the GIB® helpline 0800 100 442
top: (L-R) Troy Smith, Marketing Manager (WWB); Martin Dippie, Chairman (Mitre 10); Neil Cowie, CEO (Mitre 10). above: (L-R) Duncan McGhie, General Manager Source to Shelf (Mitre 10); Craig Miller, Commercial Manager (WWB); Troy Smith, Marketing Manager (WWB); and Adam Wolf, Group Manager Merchandise (Mitre 10).
CRUCIAL SPONSORSHIP PUTS GIB® AT HEART OF CANTERBURY
EVENTS
by Gordon White
Market Manager
Residential
Winstone Wallboards has supported the
Canterbury Crusaders for the last three
years and we are proud to announce an
extension of that commitment as National
Sponsors so you’ll continue to see the
GIB® brand displayed prominently on the
players’ jerseys and around the Crusader
Stadium both now and into the future.
The renewal of the sponsorship is a
small recognition of our ongoing
commitment to the wider Canterbury
area as rebuild activity continues at
pace across the region.
The Crusaders represent is a great fit
with the GIB® brand with their continued
commitment to the local community, a
strong history of excellence, and proven
performance in customer service being
hallmarks of both organisations.
The sponsorship is a great way to show
our on-going commitment to not only
trade and specifier customers working on
rebuild projects but is also an opportunity
to give back to the city of Christchurch
where Winstone Wallboards has been
manufacturing GIB® plasterboard for
over 50 years.
right: Crusaders Team members with our DTS Competition Winner Barry, from Ryman Healthcare. far right: Crusaders Team members with Dave McLeod and his team from John Ross Homes, winner of our DTS Competition, and Barbara Tie, Natasha Evans and Richard Scales from Winstone Wallboards.
GREAT SERVICE — IT’S IN OUR DNA
EVENTS
by Karen Richter
Marketing
Communication
Executive
At Winstone Wallboards customer service
always comes first. It’s this simple idea
applied to all aspects of our business
which keeps us ahead of the competition
and something which has seen us win
Mitre 10’s 2016 Building Products Supplier
of the Year Award.
Winstone Wallboards battled it out with
three other finalists — Southern Pine
Products Ltd, Independent Building
Supplies, and Aquatica NZ Ltd in the
building products category to take away
the top prize at the Mitre 10 International
Conference in Shanghai, China on 28
April 2016.
Winstone Wallboards received the award
in recognition of consistent performance
in delivering great products, on time and
backed up with high quality technical
support and after sales service.
Over the last few years these awards
have been hotly contested with Winstone
Wallboards consistently making it as
a finalist.
This award is recognition of the hard
work the team has put in with this
important customer,” says Winstone
Wallboards Residential Market Manager
Gordon White.
Winstone Wallboards’ Marketing
Manager Troy Smith and Commercial
Manager Craig Miller were on hand to
receive the award in Shanghai.
“