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Local shower designer and manufacturer Aqualisa has been awarded one of the UK’s most coveted business awards – a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The award, which has been conferred in the scheme’s innovation category, recognises Aqualisa’s revolutionary and highly successful digital showering technology. This year, only 11 awards have been conferred upon companies in the South East and Aqualisa is the only bathroom company to have triumphed in the innovation category.

Aqualisa’s managing director Harry Rawlinson commented,

“The award is the culmination of over a decade’s research and investment, backed by our fervent belief that digital technology is the future of the bathroom. We are so proud that Aqualisa’s commitment to innovation has been recognised at such a high level. It is a real triumph for everyone at Aqualisa who has supported our ‘digital revolution’ over the last 10 years.”

The Queen’s Award recognises Aqualisa for its outstanding achievement of creating an entirely new kind of showering technology. Since Quartz Digital was launched in 2001, Aqualisa has established a new benchmark for showering sophistication and intelligence in the bathroom industry; leading the development of the digital showering genre and positioning digital as the hottest product sector in the bathroom market.

Easy to use and just as easy to install, the key benefits of Aqualisa’s digital showers include a simple start/stop push button, which makes fiddling with unwieldy shower dials and controls a thing of the past, an illuminated LED display on the shower’s control, which indicates when the water has reached the right temperature – meaning the user knows exactly when to step into their shower – and, for some digital variants, the option of a wireless remote control, which allows the user to turn their shower on and off from up to 10m away. In addition, there is complete compatibility with all types of home plumbing systems, the option of concealed or exposed designs and a remarkably straightforward fitting procedure, which can take as little as two hours from start to finish.

Digital for the Consumer

Digital technology transforms the experience of taking a shower. With digital, it is possible to…

• Achieve the perfect temperature without struggling with stiff, limescale clogged controls
• Switch your shower on from outside the bathroom using a wireless remote control or dual switch

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BV Dairy, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of dairy products, has taken a major step forward to protect its manufacturing process and reduce its energy costs with a revolutionary air curtain from Airbloc.

The Airbloc air curtain, which will save the company “significant amounts of money”, is used to reduce heat loss from to doorway of the dairy’s huge walk in oven. It has been designed to keep hot air from escaping into the food processing plant where it is vital that food, predominantly milk based products, are kept chilled.

One of BV Dairy’s top sellers is clotted cream, produced by heating and cooling cream at specific temperatures under controlled conditions. The cream is cooked to produce an award winning product and needs a consistent temperature to produce the best results. The dairy found that the temperature of the oven varied due to door opening. .

“The decision to install an air curtain was taken to reduce the heat loss when product was both put into and removed from a walk in oven,” commented John Cooper, Engineering Manager at BV Dairy. “As well as keeping the processing room temperature down, it has also given the operator more confidence with the quality of the cooking procedure by keeping valuable heat in the oven to ensure it is cooked right first time. We have also seen some savings to steam energy and red oil usage!”

Airbloc’s air curtain – designed to produce a high velocity wall of air, which acts as a natural barrier – ensure that hotter atmospheres, like that of an oven room, do not penetrate into carefully temperature controlled climates. The high capacity ambient units are positioned over the outside of BV Dairy’s oven doors to prevent escape of hot air.

Airbloc’s energy efficient air curtains fully comply with advice from the European Food Safety Inspection Service and are wrapped in stainless steel, making them easy to wash down and wipe clean – essential for a food environment.

The air curtain is easily installed horizontally or vertically along a doorway. This is then controlled from a remote switchbox.

As well as maintaining the temperature in processing plants more efficiently than any other method available, Airbloc’s air curtains are proven to reduce energy costs by eliminating the need for chilling systems that work harder to regulate temperatures.

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Swish has gained RIBA approval for its new CPD seminar which provides information about the sustainability of PVC roofline products.

All chartered members of RIBA are required to do 35 hours and 100 points of CPD per year and this approved presentation counts for twice the normal number of points.

The presentation is delivered by the Swish Technical Sales Force and lasts about 25 minutes. It gives a clear and concise overview of the advantages of specifying PVC roofline products over low grade timber equivalents.

Unlike timber, which requires regular maintenance to preserve a good appearance, PVC is a low maintenance product which is appropriate for exposed and inaccessible areas such as the roofline. This in turn keeps the lifetime costs to a minimum as opposed to the continuous expense that timber incurs.

Swish PVC roofline and cladding products are also highly recyclable and PVC construction products have been recognised by the BRE's Green Guide as having a significant contribution to make to the Government's sustainability drive.

Greg Wilde, Marketing Manager, Swish Building Products said: “We have delivered a number of seminars already and have had a very positive reaction from architects who had previously been unfamiliar with the sustainability of PVC products. We hope to deliver many more of these presentations.”

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Providing rapid, targeted response to changing conditions, Nor-Ray-Vac continuous radiant tube heating offered the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) the unique opportunity to maintain a consistent temperature for two of their helicopter hangars.

For the Osprey Hangar situated at Portland, Dorset and the Daedalus Hangar at Lee on Solent, Hampshire, this solution provided the MCA with the best maintenance and storage conditions. Developed by the leader in efficient heating systems, AmbiRad, it meant that even when the vast doors were opened, the primary heat source was not lost.

Each hangar has a door that takes up one entire side. As these frequently open to allow the helicopters to manoeuvre outside, the temperature inside can swiftly drop. In winter, this can leave maintenance workers in single figure temperatures, posing a serious hazard.

However, with the Nor-Ray-Vac system in place, this threat is eliminated. This is made possible as the advanced system emits low-intensity heat with even distribution, creating comfortable conditions for staff at all times.

It directs the heat to exactly where it’s needed, whilst by clever system design it diverts it away from the tops of the valuable aircraft. This affords them important protection and prevents heat from being directed straight onto workers working on top of the helicopters.

To ensure the systems covered the hangars’ exact needs, each were designed a bespoke solution. For Portland’s two bay hangar, six Nor-Ray-Vac were specified; four with 46kW LR burners and two with 38LR burners. At Lee on Solent a total of nine Nor-Ray-Vac 46kW LR Burners were installed to serve its three bay hangar.

As well as providing high quality heating services, the Nor-Ray-Vac system provides the structures with significant energy savings. Featuring up to 92% combustion efficiency, whilst reducing or eliminating heat loss, the AmbiRad solution maximises heating potential whilst minimising energy use.

Now completed, it is one of a line of successful projects completed by AmbiRad for aviation premises, including four hangars in Leicestershire at RAF Cottesmore.

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• Orders and revenues grow at a double-digit pace
• EBIT hits record $1.4 billion, EBIT margin at 17.0 percent
• Net income reaches $1 billion in the quarter, EPS up 76%

ABB’s first-quarter net income reached $1 billion, an increase of 87 percent compared to the same quarter in 2007, as global demand for more reliable power and improved industrial efficiency continued to grow and the company’s efforts to improve operational performance generated further benefits.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached a record $1.4 billion, up 65 percent from a year earlier. The EBIT margin increased to 17.0 percent from 13.2 percent in the first quarter of 2007. Approximately one percentage point of the EBIT margin in the first quarter resulted from gains on the mark-to-market treatment of hedging transactions. The gains were related mainly to the sharp decline in the value of the U.S. dollar and increases in commodity prices during the quarter.

Orders, revenues and EBIT increased in all divisions as market demand remained robust in all regions. Utilities continued to invest in new and refurbished power infrastructure while industrial customers, especially in the metals, minerals and marine sectors, further expanded capacity on the back of high commodity prices. Industrial demand for more energy efficient technologies also continued to be a key growth driver.

“ABB experienced a very good start in 2008 across all businesses and regions,” said Michel DemarǸ, ABB’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. “Demand from utilities and most of our major industrial markets remained strong around the world, especially in emerging economies, but also in the U.S. Customers continued to invest in areas where we are market and technology leaders – power infrastructure, energy efficiency and productivity.

“These excellent results also reflect our continuing strong operational performance,” DemarǸ added. “Lower cost sourcing, footprint optimization, better project execution and risk management, and more efficient capacity utilization all contributed to our improved results.”

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Stand 1457 sees market leader VM Zinc exhibiting at Ecobuild for the first time. Its range of standing seam roofing and cladding systems will be on display alongside BRE certified interlocking panels and a new, fully integrated, standing seam PV system. This utilises low profile panels which provide a high energy return and therefore occupy far less roof space. The VMZINC PLUS warm roof system on rigid insulation will also be exhibited following the award of its BBA certificate. VMZINC’s compact roof approach, using Foamglas® enables zinc to be used in environments such as swimming pools, where extreme humidity and chemicals would otherwise cause damage as they evaporate.

Zinc’s continued increase in use owes much to its lasting appearance, minimal maintenance requirements, low design life cost and proven sustainability. It complements a diverse range of building materials and styles, while pre-weathered Anthra-Zinc®, Quartz-Zinc® and Pigmento® colours have also greatly extended design scope.

90% of old rolled zinc is reclaimed in mainland Europe (around 100,000 tonnes each year), and no other non-ferrous metal uses less energy in the manufacturing process. Even when comparing consumption using recycled materials, over 30% less is used than with aluminium.

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The increasing problem of untreated low level acidic condensate from condensing boilers heading for the drainage infrastructure has been addressed by Salamander, part of Sentinel Performance Solutions, with the release of the new 'Condensafe '+' unit.

This unique and innovative in-line unit, designed to be mounted between the boiler condensate outlet and the drain, contains a special medium that will effectively neutralise acidic waste from condensing boilers before allowing the now harmless waste to be discharged to the drains. The neutralising medium can be easily replaced every twelve months when the boiler undergoes its annual service and the spent medium can be safely disposed of in household waste.

The Salamander 'Condensafe '+' offers a sensible approach to low level acidic discharge management, it's easy to fit, clean and maintain, fits all domestic condensing boilers, has no adverse effect on the operation of a condensing boiler and complies with all relevant standards. The company has applied for a patent to cover the product and its design.

An average condensing boiler will produce around 800 litres of condensate a year at about pH 4.0. It's a simple mathematical calculation to work out that this means there will be millions of litres of low level acidic waste heading for the sewage system, the sewage treatment works and soakaways every year, potentially threatening the biological purification processes in septic tanks and local water treatment plant, and causing significant upset to the drainage infrastructure. And it's a problem that can only grow as the Government has ensured through Building Regulations that virtually all new boilers installed from now on must be high efficiency condensing boilers.

There are an estimated 17 million gas boilers in the UK, with around 1.5 million new boilers installed each year. The amount of acid condensate put down the drain is thought to be growing at a rate in excess of half a million litres per week as more and more condensing boilers are installed. It's conservatively thought that in two years time, we could be adding in the region of 50 million litres of acid at pH 4.0 to our drains each week. There doesn't seem to have been any research or concern expressed about the environmental consequences. Even at a relatively low level of acidity, common sense suggests this must be having an effect on the infrastructure or water treatment process at some level.

“We know that the condensate generated by the growing numbers of condensing boilers installed across the UK is acidic discharge. When you consider the age of many – if not most – of the drainage infrastructures and the huge quantity of condensate being discharged without treatment to the sewers, it seems sensible to consider doing something to neutralise the problem,” says Salamander's Louise Morris. “A much smaller quantity – but still a significant amount – is discharged to 'soak aways' and if the quantity was high enough, it could have an impact on groundwater. Bearing in mind how much of our drinking water is still drawn from boreholes, we feel condensate should be addressed now before it becomes a problem. Using a Salamander 'Condensafe '+' would seem to make a huge amount of sense.”

'Condensafe '+' is available now from merchants across the UK.

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Stand 1363 sees roof window manufacturer Fakro GB at Ecobuild for the first time. In addition to its unique FPP preSelect® top hung and pivot window it will be exhibiting a number of new products including the new Balcony Window. Particular emphasis will be given to the patented topSafe® system which enables standard products to meet a minimum Class 3 – EN13049 for security and safety, the best currently available. Also featured will be the V40P automatic air vent which is now used routinely to added thermal efficiency at no additional cost.

Most Fakro roof windows are now manufactured from timber obtained from FSC approved sources using only slow growing redwood pine which is guaranteed to be knot-free. Operating handles in the base of the sash enable a larger overall glazing area is provided in products which are far easier to use. With the biggest range of conservation windows currently available and a wide selection of glazing options, scope to use roof windows as an intrinsic element of interior design has never been greater.

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Fan coil units, manufactured by Ability Projects Ltd, are being installed in the first two blocks of the £35 million iconic Baltic Place development, nearing completion at Gateshead Quays on the River Tyne. This 1st phase of the project will provide 131,000ft2 of high grade office accommodation in two 11 storey tower blocks linked by a shared entrance foyer. Notable for its imaginative use of curved flanks, glass and fascias, Baltic Place also offers striking views of the river and the Gateshead Millennium bridge.

Air conditioning for the complex is provided by almost 300 mixed Ability Trojan and Titan horizontal concealed ceiling 2 and 4 pipe fan coil units with capacities between 4.87 and 25.4kW (cooling) and 5.0 to 13.0kW (heating) and designed to meet NR35 noise level at 30pa restrictions. Installed by Inviron Ltd, Washington, the fan coils are fitted with 2 and 4 port free issue valves with free issue compression fittings on both sides, wire frame filters and stepped discharge plenums of 250mm dia (Trojans) and 300mm dia (Titans) to suit the project's varying size discharge ducts.

Based on simplified design precepts and retaining performance related components – fans, motors and coils – the Trojan fan coil unit enables Ability to offer a highly cost effective, rapid delivery solution for competitive projects without reductions in quality or performance. Design flexibility however, is still inherent in the Trojan unit with squared or mitred discharge plenums, inlet plenum options and virtually any combination of spigots and blanks that enable it to be mixed with other Ability fan coil units (such as Titan) on the same project without the need to reselect.

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CLEVELAND … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN) today announced it has completed the purchase of The Moeller Group, as announced in Eaton’s December 20, 2007 news release.

The Moeller Group, based in Bonn, Germany, had sales of ?1.02 billion for the year ended December 31, 2007. The company is a leading supplier of components for commercial and residential building applications and industrial controls for industrial equipment applications. Moeller sells products primarily to customers in Western and Eastern Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The Moeller Group has 15 global production facilities, sales offices in more than 90 countries and approximately 8,700 employees.

“This acquisition, coupled with our acquisition of Phoenixtec Power Company, Ltd., solidifies Eaton’s position as a leading global supplier of electrical power distribution and control products and power quality equipment and systems,” said Alexander M. Cutler, Eaton chairman and chief executive officer. “Now that these acquisitions have closed, our electrical business will have annual revenues in excess of $7.5 billion. In addition, Eaton’s non-United States revenues, based on final destination of our products, will be between 55 to 60 percent.

“Additionally,” Cutler continued, “The Moeller Group’s broad portfolio of power distribution and control products that meet International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, its European and Asian distribution networks, and its significant Eastern European production facilities significantly expand our capabilities in electrical markets outside the United States.”

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2007 sales of $13.0 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 79,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning annual revenues for our electrical business and our non-US annual revenues. These statements should be used with caution. They are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully; unanticipated changes in the markets for our business segments; unanticipated downturns in business relationships with customers or their purchases from Eaton; competitive pressures on our sales and pricing; increases in the cost of material, energy and other production costs, or unexpected costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing; the introduction of competing technologies; unexpected technical or marketing difficulties; new laws and governmental regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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