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A small chicken farm in the Waikato district of New Zealand has benefited from the installation of Hydropath Holdings ‘Agriflow’ water conditioning system. Fisher Farm experienced problems with drinking water drip feeders becoming blocked with limescale and therefore jamming up. This resulted in constant dripping, and the use of flocculants to reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels. In addition, algae and bacteria in drinking water are a problem when rearing chickens, as they are linked to potentially fatal leg infections of the flock.

The owner investigated the possible solutions to the problem, and opted for Hydropath’s patented water conditioning unit; Agriflow. The ‘A’ range is specifically designed for agricultural use and drinking water applications to eliminate limescale, bacteria and algae problems in commercial poultry houses. The A45 unit was easily fitted to the incoming bore at the chicken farm, supplying water to a large Magnum filter. The advantage of the ‘A’ range is that it integrates a built in power supply, making it particularly simple to install in agricultural environments.

Agriflow is a patented physical water conditioning system that does not use chemicals. Instead, it transmits a powerful signal throughout the entire water system, continually treating the water 24 hours a day. The signal works up and down stream. Even when there is no flow, Agriflow will provide protection against limescale build up. When there is water flowing past the water conditioner, Agriflow also protects against bacteria and algae. Agriflow will also flocculate suspended material, which means the treated bacteria and algae can be captured by standard filtration systems that would ordinarily allow the kernels of algae and bacteria to pass through.

The farm owner was impressed with the results, as immediately the new units eliminated calcium build up, and reduced scale in the drip feeder system. A noticeable improvement was noted in the stainless steel sinks in the preparation areas, which would previously be stained with calcium deposits. Following the installation of Agriflow, they are now stain free.

The Agriflow A45 fits pipe size up to 45mm outside diameter, and the A60 fits pipe size of up to 60mm. Larger Agriflow units are available to larger pipes for uncommon applications. There is also the option of the J60 for smaller applications, with outside pipe diameters up to 63mm, such as cooling mats, small/medium poultry rearing houses and for misting systems in small/medium greenhouses. For further information contact Hydropath Holdings on (0115) 986 9966 or email sales@hydropath.com.

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A whole new approach to wood floor treatments has been introduced by BonaKemi! Shrouded in secrecy during development at the Bona R & D centre in Sweden, new ‘Naturale’is now available in the UK.

It’s a one-component product designed for residential floors and, for the first time in a wood floor treatment, unique Naturale combines the best properties of oil, hard wax and lacquer and gives a look which is as close to the real wood as possible!

Contractors will love Naturale as it’s a true ‘one day’ system. There’s no need to use a primer, simply apply the first coat to bare wood with a roller, allow an hour’s drying time and repeat with the second coat. (The second coat will dry in around two to three hours.) That’s all there is to it to achieve a truly natural look and feel! 

Waterborne Naturale also has good resistance to wear, scuff marks and scratches as well as the usual food and drink spillages, and other household chemicals.  Unlike lacquered floors which have to be sanded and resealed completely when damaged, floors treated with Naturale can be spot repaired quickly and easily.

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Wavin Plastic’s expertise in producing superior heating and cooling systems has been endorsed by Persimmon Home’s decision to use the company’s genius OSMA Underfloor Heating (UFH) systems in its high profile housing project, Living-i.

Living-i consists of five innovative homes built this summer in Irlam, Manchester, using a range of modern construction methods that embrace the very latest in home technologies and eco-friendly solutions.

The Eco house – a detached timber-framed four bedroom home built with eco-friendliness in mind – features the OSMA UFH Foiled Polystyrene system. This is a wet system fitted just below the floor which consists of heating pipes controlled by an electronic thermostat. This arrangement emits heat linearly from the floor to the ceiling, thus resulting in a more even distribution of heat as opposed to radiators which rely on convection and results in high temperatures at ceiling level and cooler temperatures at floor level.

The Energy House is a four bedroom detached home which has been designed to meet the latest government legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the UK. OSMA’s UFH Foiled Polystyrene system was again used but this time in the ceiling and operated in combination with air source heat pumps. Radiant heating and cooling panels in the ceiling can create an ultra-comfortable, thermally balanced indoor climate. Water circulating in a closed system provides the heat transfer medium within panels in the ceiling, while precision temperature control achieves the optimum comfort level for the room.

David Broadbent, regional chairman for Persimmon Homes North West said: “Wavin’s heating systems were just what we were looking for to fulfil the requirements within our innovative homes of the future and we were pleased to be able to work closely with them on this particular project.”

Living-i is the latest ground breaking project to feature OSMA UFH systems. Over the last two years, these cost-efficient and sustainable heating solutions have also been installed at the much lauded multi-million Eden Project in Cornwall, the ground-breaking low energy Zero Carbon House project in the remote Shetland Islands and the University of Nottingham’s Stoneguard C60 house scheme.

“Persimmon’s decision to use OSMA UFH underlines our belief that these systems really do offer the best heating solution for homes of tomorrow,” comments Karly Taylor, spokesperson at Wavin Plastics, the UK’s leading provider of water management solutions. “Already popular across the globe, UFH is completely unobtrusive and provides, on average, up to 15 per cent more useable space in a room. It is safe, hygienic and more energy efficient. What could be better?”

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Coltman Precast Concrete is continuing to build on its reputation as one of Britain's leading suppliers of quality structural precast concrete products to the building and construction industry.

The West Midlands based company is a major supplier of precast concrete components to the housing, commercial, industrial, health and leisure sectors of the construction industry nationwide.

Established in 1972, Coltman's product range includes prestressed hollowcore wideslab and solid prestressed wideslab for flooring and roofing, staircases, landings, balconies, terracing and wall units, as well as bespoke products.

Customers include some of the country’s leading names in architecture, construction, civil engineering, housebuilding and property developments and it has been involved in numerous prestige projects, ranging from multi-million pound city centre redevelopments and quality housing, to civic cultural centres and premier sports arenas.

Coltman produces in excess of 114,250 tonnes of precast concrete each year, consisting of 250,000 square metres of prestressed hollowcore flooring and 4,000 cubic metres of bespoke precast concrete products.

The highly experienced design teams have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a comprehensive range of projects and applications to ensure the right products for each and every job.

The company has ISO 9001-2000 Quality Assurance and ISO 14001 Environmental Management System accreditation and every product is subject to continuous inspection and testing by the Quality Control department.

Daily tests are carried out by the quality control teams and products are also selected at random for more intensive testing, often to complete destruction, in order to ensure that they fully meet the most stringent design requirements.

Safety is another vital consideration at Coltman and this begins at the initial design stage. Consideration is given by designers to risk-reduction during the handling, lifting and positioning of the finished precast concrete products.

Coltman's emphasis on both quality and safety is maintained with a comprehensive on-site installation service, including the provision of a suitable and passive fall arrest system in the form of air bags or safety netting.

A competent and CITB trained site team carry out installation of all units in accordance with the Code of Practice For Safe Erection Of Precast Concrete and the company is a member of the British Safety Council, The British Precast Concrete Federation and the Precast Flooring Federation.

Under its well-established management team of Nigel Gilbert and Ian Gould, who have been with the company 21 years and 28 years respectively, the company continues to face a bright future. “As an independent company we have enjoyed planned, consistent growth and have built up an enviable reputation for the quality of our products and service, combined with a safe approach, as well as for the excellent relationships which we have developed with our customers”, said Director Nigel Gilbert.

“We give each project the special care and attention to detail needed to ensure that our products meet the most exacting of requirements. We understand the needs of our customers and the importance of delivering the right product of the right quality, safely and on time, every time”, added Director Ian Gould.

For more information about Coltman Precast Concrete products and a copy of the company's brochure contact: Robin Horton, Sales & Marketing Manager, Coltman Precast Concrete Ltd, London Road, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B75 5SX. Tel: 01543 480482. Fax: 01543 481587. Email: robin.horton@coltman.co.uk Web: www.coltman.co.uk

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Kubota mini excavators are stealing a further march over their competitors due to the increasing number of useful attachments that can be fitted, delivering added versatility and productivity in construction and many other sectors, including agriculture, landscaping, industry, demolition, quarrying and recycling.

All 18 Kubota models, spanning the weight range from 850kg up 8 tonnes, can have the Miller Bug or the Klac quick hitch coupler system fitted by distributors to allow the operator to rapidly switch between attachments from inside the machine's cab.

Kubota distributors provide a wide range of specialist attachments from some of the UK's leading suppliers, including branded Kubota breakers made for the company by Sandvik.

According to attachment supplier Exac-One, the most popular tool currently in demand from Kubota users is the Mini-Mower range, an alternative to hand-held strimmers which is widely used by landscapers, plant hirers, local authorities, water authorities and ground care contractors.

Among other Exac-One attachments most often requested are the Powertilt bucket swing attachment, Mini-Hammer, the Kerb-Krawler system for fast kerb laying, Tiltrotator, Compactor, Clamshell bucket, Log grab, Mini-grapple and Orange Peel grab.

BPH Sales also supplies Kubota distributors with a range of specialist attachments which include Arrowhead Rockdrill hammers, Kinshoffer HPXdrive clamshell buckets and grapples, and Berti flail mowers and mulchers.

Said Richard Harrison, Sales and Marketing Manager, Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment Division: “Kubota excavators have a legendary reputation for quality, reliability, durability and appetite for hard work., as well as their exceptional versatility.

“To make them ever more productive each of our distributors is able to advise on and provide customers, whichever sector they operate in, with a wide range of specialist tools from some of the country's top attachment manufacturers and suppliers. All the attachments we recommend meet current Health & Safety legislation.”

Kubota is the world leader in mini excavators and provides the largest range from a single manufacturer, together with the widest selection of increasingly popular zero tail swing machines.

A nationwide network of specialist Kubota dealers offers unbeatable support and they can provide full details of the many options and attachments available.

Sales of Kubota mini excavators have continued to increase significantly, further boosted by the incorporation of their unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' security system – the first of its kind fitted as standard equipment by an excavator manufacturer.

Further details about the market-leading Kubota mini excavators range can be obtained from Kubota (UK) Ltd – Construction Equipment Division, Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UN. Tel: 01844 214500 Fax: 01844 216685. Email: enquiry@kubota.co.uk Web: www.kubota.co.uk

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Following an international colour workshop with UK, French and German architects, Marley Eternit has launched a new Natura range of fibre cement decorative cladding panels.

Instead of featuring the same colour throughout, as the Natura Plus range does, the new Natura range comprises nine colours that are available as a varnish on a lightweight Anthracite (dark grey) core and a further five varnish colours on a natural (light) grey core.

UK architects Cany Ash and Robert Sakula from Ash Sakula Architects in London were joined by Konrad Wohlhage from Leon Wohlhage Wernik Architekten in Berlin and David Trottin from Peripheriques Architectes in Paris for the workshop.

They analysed the cladding colour ranges available from Marley Eternit and sister companies in Europe and expressed a preference, even when a range contained bold primary colours, for shades of the more natural colours.

They suggested strengthening the natural identity of the fibre cement substrate by using colour varnishes on the base material – and that is what is now available with the new Natura colours.

Cany Ash of Ash Sakula Architects said: “Robert and I particularly felt there should be more subtle ranges of colours so we were quite interested in the darker base sheets and thought that each one of these could then have a range of surface colours.

“Then for instance, if you wanted a green building you could have it with different base colours and top shades. Cladding manufacturers like Marley Eternit need to have as wide a range as possible. It’s good that they asked us for our opinion.

“There is colour in every material but we are trying to use the more natural colours. What we like about Marley Eternit is its natural-looking products, the fact you can see the way it is put together.”

Prof Jan Krause, one of two Eternit architects in Germany and organiser of the international colour workshop, said: “The strong recommendation by the invited architects was to keep to our material, be unique, and work with varnish colours on the fibre cement substrate so the original character will always be visible.”

The Natura range is low-maintenance and resistant to fire (Class O performance), weather, insects, mould growth and fungi.

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Contractor Pro, the new computerised estimating and invoicing system from Luckins, is designed specifically for smaller contractors working on domestic or light commercial jobs.

The system enables busy contractors to compile accurate, professionally presented estimates and invoices at the touch of a few keys. Contractor Pro users will be able to: win more work by responding quickly to every enquiry; improve profit margins by basing their quotations on accurate cost information; spend less time on tedious paperwork and more time on site; boost cash flow by invoicing promptly as soon as the job is complete.

Contractor Pro contains a selection from the Luckins product database (as used by most of the UK’s national wholesalers, distributors and contractors) and contains up-to-date trade prices and industry standard installation times for literally thousands of products. Discount data can be easily imported and the new related items feature, made possible through Luckins’ close relationship with manufacturers and suppliers, ensures that nothing is omitted when pricing each job.

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