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The building products manufacturer, Hambleside Danelaw Ltd, is making further cuts to its carbon output by sourcing the electricity supply for its carbon-neutral Inverness factory entirely from renewable energy.

With the switch taking effect from today, the Group estimates that the measure will reduce its carbon footprint by about 40 tonnes a year. Last year Hambleside Danelaw successfully cut emissions by 24.6% and it expects to achieve further major reductions this year as a result of using renewable energy sources. The Group has won numerous awards for environmental good practice.

The Inverness facility’s electricity is now being supplied by Green Energy UK. The electricity is generated from a wide range of renewable energy sources including wind, solar, combined heat and power, small-scale hydro-electric, energy from biomass and organic waste material. The wind energy is sourced from turbines on an island off the west coast of Scotland and a farm in Pembrokeshire.

Ray Khan, Hambleside’s Quality, Safety and Environment Manager, said: “Switching to green energy is the latest step in Hambleside Danelaw’s ongoing commitment to the environment. With the Inverness facility already carbon neutral, we are now using recycled materials in the manufacturing processes of our award winning roofing products.”

Government consultation on carbon offsetting

Hambleside Danelaw also said today that it will respond in full to a Defra consultation on a code of practice for carbon offsetting schemes to follow.

The Group offsets its emissions through the Trees for Global Benefit scheme in the Bushenyi District of Uganda. This project uses the Plan Vivo system which offers a tried and tested system for generating carbon offsets. Responding to the Government’s initiative today, Hambleside Danelaw agreed with Environment Secretary, David Miliband, that offsetting was not enough on its own and this was why the Group continued to pursue all avenues to reduce its emissions still further.

Hambleside Danelaw is pleased that its environmental programme using a planned approach, which includes reductions in landfill waste, is very similar in approach to that being adopted by major retailers such as Marks & Spencer. The leading environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt, has said that the M&S plan sets a new benchmark for businesses in caring for the environment.

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Already established as offering the best performance in terms of fire resistance and sound insulation, Saint-Gobain Pipelines’ Ensign cast iron drainage system is now set to take on the competition for ease of installation. The new Ensign EEZI-FIT push-fit range of fittings and couplings for above ground gravity drainage combines the benefits of cast-iron performance with the simplicity of push-fit assembly.

Announcing this new innovation to the Ensign range, Mike Rawlings of Saint-Gobain Pipelines said: “Ensign has already established its position in the market as the most versatile system for above and below ground use, but we are always looking to develop the range to reflect market needs. The introduction of Ensign EEZI-FIT answers the call for a system that combines all the benefits of cast iron with a push fit installation method. The addition of a push-fit option reinforces Ensign’s position as the most versatile system on the market.”

Mechanical jointing will remain the favoured option for applications where internal drainage systems may need to be altered or extended in the future, or if there is a higher level of pressure capability required in case of blockages, such as internal rainwater systems. Whereas push-fit offers the perfect solution and is generally used for installations such as high-rise residential blocks where the main soil stacks are not likely to be changed over time and the system performance is no more than 0.5bar gravity pressure. However, because the EEZI-FIT range has been designed to the parameters of BS EN 877, both jointing methods can be used allowing ductile iron mechanical couplings to be used in certain sections of a push-fit system that may require dismantling at a later stage.

With the proven qualities of durability, strength, sustainability, fire resistance and acoustic performance, speed of installation is sometimes seen as a disadvantage for mechanically jointed cast iron systems, with the perception of a longer installation time adding to the overall cost of a project. According to Saint-Gobain, Ensign EEZI-FIT directly addresses that challenge and offers a speed and ease of installation comparable with other push-fit systems.

The Ensign EEZI-FIT range utilises the standard range of Ensign brackets, including the new acoustic bracket which has been tested to the new European Standard BS EN 14366:2004. Results from the tests proved that Ensign cast iron is significantly quieter than any other material – 4-5dB(A) airborne noise and up to 10dB(A) for structure borne noise, offering significant savings on acoustic insulation. So, for quality flats and apartments Ensign EEZI-FIT really is the perfect solution.

Ensign is the only cast-iron system kitemarked to BS EN 877. Ensign EEZI-FIT will also be kitemarked to the standard for gravity applications of 0.5 bar performance although it has been successfully tested to higher pressures. The new range features 100mm diameter push-fit fittings and coupling including a new radius branch with up to four boss options to connect to waste pipes available plain or with an access door. The range is red epoxy coated internally and externally and its joints are made with EPDM rubber gasket seals.

With the first phase of the Ensign EEZI-FIT range now available, Saint-Gobain Pipelines has also announced that a number of new fittings will follow by September. These will include a range of boss pipes with up to 3 waste connections, a double branch with boss options, and a new push-fit manifold connector with an extended spigot that will avoid the need for a joint in the floor slab.

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AMTECH Power Software has chosen the educational facilities operated by the UK’s largest electrical safety specialist CLM as the perfect venue for training courses in the North West of England. Located at CLM’s headquarters in Warrington, the Learning Centre offers the ideal environment for AMTECH’s comprehensive, CPD registered courses.

“Demand in the North West for our training courses has been overwhelming so we are delighted to have found such an ideal facility,” said AMTECH Sales Director James Cooper. “This will enable us to deliver a consistently high standard of training to customers in a comfortable learning environment,” he added.

The first course to be held at the Warrington training centre is on AMTECH’s FastTest Test & Inspection software on the 4th September 2007. There are a few spaces left, so please call 0800 028 28 28 ASAP to reserve your space.

AMTECH is an Institution of Electrical Engineers (IET) Endorsed Training Provider and is registered with the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) as a course provider. All AMTECH courses attract Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, which are credited towards an individual's CPD.

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The replacement of out of date, often inefficient, high-maintenance air conditioning plant can present a major headache for the end user. Mechanical and performance deficiencies, frequent breakdowns and spiralling maintenance and repair costs can create a nightmare scenario for end users and facilities management companies. At the same time, managers are understandably reluctant to undertake any work that involves prolonged downtime and disruption whilst ripping out the old equipment and starting again from scratch.

Weatherite, the UK's leading roof-top packaged air-conditioning specialists, offers a cost effective, energy saving alternative – direct replacement units.

By replacing old, worn out equipment with a bespoke package from Weatherite, clients can achieve substantial savings in installation costs, downtime and long term energy usage. As a further bonus, replacement systems also deliver a rapid pay back for building owners or end users a like.

Weatherite’s replacement solutions offer significant advantages over many ‘off- the-shelf alternatives. In many cases, current standard equipment may not match the footprint of the existing system or dovetail with existing services. Replacement units, however, provide a technologically advanced solution with all the energy and performance benefits of a new system – plus the bonus that the new equipment will match the existing physical parameters, in terms of footprint, services and ductwork.

There’s more. A Weatherite replacement unit comes with all the rewards of substantial – often spectacular – savings in energy costs and performance. Many of the systems still in situ on rooftops are, by definition, based on technology that is now decades old. Componentry, design and energy efficiency standards have made giant strides in that time. In Weatherite’s case, that means systems that have been designed to achieve key performance criteria for the minimum of capital outlay.

Having new equipment installed, especially if it involves the major structural changes often required to accommodate new units, is inevitably going to cause disruption. However, the bespoke design of a Weatherite system greatly reduces the work involved. Installation is much faster and simpler as the units undergo full testing and pre-commissioning before they leave the factory. The systems are also specifically designed to satisfy the demands of today’s ‘fast-track’ building environments. As the replacement units are designed to fit directly into the footprint of the old unit to be replaced, existing ductwork and services can usually be used, without disruption, saving a great deal of time and cost.

The cost-saving and performance benefits of a direct replacement unit do not end once commissioning has taken place. All facilities managers know that a good preventative maintenance programme will ensure the optimum performance of the air handling system and, of course, maximize cost-savings. Weatherite provides a total package of services that can last for the lifetime of the unit.

Weatherite has produced a new Replacement system brochure highlighting all the benefits associated with replacement systems.

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Mechanical piped services represent a significant proportion of the total build cost in today’s modern buildings. During the design and tender stage of large construction projects, spanning one or two years how much cost can be built into the supply chain to protect against inflationary costs whilst maintaining that competitive edge? The contractor is often left to absorb these unforeseen increases and is at the mercy of the markets which are at best unpredictable! In recent times we have all felt the effects of large % increases in the cost of commodity items such as steel, copper, zinc and oil based plastics, outside of our direct control.

Increasingly, contractors have had to become innovative in their approach to manage and minimse the elements of cost that are within their own direct control. The UK piping market for Building Services, Industrial and Process systems utilises largely screwed, flanged or welded jointing but in light of escalating material and labour costs, coupled with increased concern for operator health and safety and a diminishing skills base, there is a significant uptake in the use of Grinnell’s Grooved Piping System which is now used in many major UK construction projects and offers contractors the opportunity to greatly reduce installation times and therefore recoup a significant portion of their costs when compared to traditional methods:

• Installation times of individual fittings can be 1/10th those of welding
• No hot works
• No maintenance
• Compliments off-site manufacture
• Simple to install

The speed and simplicity of the Grinnell grooved piping system provides a Safer Working Environment, eliminates the requirement for Hot Working, optimises available Labour and operator Skills and compliments other innovative jointing systems being used in smaller sizes. The benefits of a Grooved pipework system can be realised in modular prefabrication techniques as well as in on-site installations.

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Lodge Cottrell use Micronics PF330 Portable clamp-on Flow Meter to substantially reduce commissioning time and fixed installation costs on large scale pollution control plant for coal fired boilers.

Lodge Cottrell is a world-leading supplier of large-scale industrial air pollution control equipment. On a project carried out during 2010 they had a requirement to process the ash extracted from their boiler flue gas treatment system by mixing this with water to form slurry suitable for disposal.

The ash is extracted from the flue gas using an Electrostatic Precipitator with the ash collecting in hoppers, which have varying fill rates determined by the extraction process. These hoppers then feed through to mixers where a specific water flow rate is required to achieve the target slurry consistency from the plant. The plant has 32 water lines with pipe sizes ranging from 18 to 1 inch diameter pipe and the Micronics Portaflo meters were used to accurately measure the water flow rate for the set-up of each mixer section.

The alternative to using the portable meter would have been 32 fixed metering points and as a consequence the use of the portable, clamp-on solution generated substantial benefits in terms of reduced commissioning time – labour and fixed metering point costs, plus the added advantage that the PF330 can be utilised again on other sites with similar requirements.

Having considered various suppliers Lodge Cottrell selected the Micronics – Portaflo PF330 – Time of Flight – portable flow instrument. Portable clamp-on Ultrasonic flow measurement has clear advantages for commissioning/set-up work and Micronics were selected as the supplier due to a combination of their long-term experience with non-invasive, clamp-on technology, product performance and best value.

Project Manager Nigel Dolphin says “The Portaflo PF330 has proved to be a valuable tool for commissioning of the plant water flow lines with considerable time and cost benefits over alternative fixed in-line metering points. The PF330 was simple to set-up/use and the flow measurement performance was good. The product has worked well and the customer service and technical support from Micronics has also been good.”

The potential for re-use by Lodge Cottrell on other plant installations with similar requirements is significant and the project has demonstrated the clear benefits available from using portable, clamp-on, ultrasonic flow metering for temporary flow measurement requirements such as commissioning and set-up of water flow lines. For further information call Micronics on 01628 810456, email sales@micronicsltd.co.uk or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com. For information about air pollution control systems visit www.lodgecottrell.com.

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As SME manufacturers go global, ERP can help them respond quickly to changes in local market demand, improve business processes and benefit from economies of scale. James Flood of Exact examines why smaller manufacturers must match investment in new plants and sites with investment in enterprise business systems

A growing number of medium-sized manufacturers are benefiting from the opportunities afforded by globalisation. Having been adversely affected by the 2008-9 financial and economic crisis, which saw substantial closures and rationalisations, manufacturing SMEs now have the opportunity to drive a return to pre-crisis employment and output levels in the recovery period.

However, globalisation presents many operational challenges, such as a growing patchwork of IT systems, different cultures and business practices, multiple languages, and complex laws in different jurisdictions, to name but a few. Its also important for those with an international presence to be able to respond quickly and uniformly to changes in local market demand. Whereas service-led firms are able to overcome many of the barriers to international business via electronic means, manufacturers face the considerable task of coordinating the movement of physical goods and resources – whether personnel, raw materials or finished products – between sites, across borders and time zones in a timely manner.

And as they take in new sites, SME manufacturers will have to be just as effective as their larger counterparts in consolidating and exploiting their operations as a single global resource. This ensures their ability to pool capacities to meet orders, rationalise stock and supply across sites, and benefit from economies of scale when bidding for new business and negotiating contracts with suppliers. At the same time, smaller players must operate within the constraints of available budget.

There is general consensus that as the global recession eases, there will be a significant increase in ERP project activity as organisations reactivate postponed technology investment programmes and position themselves to take advantage of the economic upturn. Those getting a firm grasp of international operations, being responsive to changes in international markets and responsive to emerging markets as they crop up will be best placed to benefit from the ongoing process of globalisation.

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