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Want to find out what market-leading cable management manufacturer Marshall-Tufflex is doing to make life easier for electrical contractors? Then tune-in to a new podcast that outlines how the British company is innovating and improving its products to save installers time and money on-site.

Marshall-Tufflex Technical Services Manager Nick Hayler talks about how they work closely with installers to improve products, giving an example of recent changes to the company’s best-selling and ever-popular Sterling range, which has been updated to offer 15% more cable capacity, is easier and quicker to fit and has a new clipping action to improve security.

Nick also discusses how Marshall-Tufflex is innovating the product development process through the use of 3D printing and strives to ensure it offers continuity of high quality trunking solutions and a wide range of products, sizes, colours and accessories, all backed up by the established and trusted Marshall-Tufflex brand.

To hear the podcast visit

www.marshall-tufflex.com

www.businessnetexplorer.com

or find it on You Tube 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXyW9hGyQ9U&list=PLS18Zwd_iWhK0XB1QvL6dramB37rlp5Gu&index=2  

or SoundCloud

https://soundcloud.com/businessnetexplorer/bne-product-news-special-edition-marshall-tufflex-viewpoint-interview-december-2015

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Ancon is pleased to announce its MBT mechanically-bolted couplers are the first reinforcing bar splicing system to be approved by HAPAS, the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme. This approval provides independent assurance of the product’s suitability for infrastructure work.

Ancon MBT ET-type couplers have been independently proven to have 100% strength of the bars being joined and exceed ‘Class D’ fatigue strength requirements (BS 5400-10C:1999).

The HAPAS certificate confirms MBT ET-type couplers meet the necessary requirements for proprietary mechanical joints in reinforcing bars given in the Manual of Contract Documents for Highways Works (MCHW)(1), Volume 1 Specification for Highways Works (SHW), Series 1700 Structural Concrete and Standard BD 24/92.

MBT-ET couplers are ideal for use when cutting out and replacing corroded reinforcement as part of a highway maintenance contract, where bar end threading or rotation would be impossible. They are available in sizes from 10mm to 40mm and join straight deformed high-yield carbon steel bars (grade 500) of the same diameter.

The two bar ends are supported within the coupler on two serrated saddles and are locked in place by a series of special lockshear bolts, the heads of which shear off when the predetermined tightening torque is reached to provide a visual check of correct installation.

The MBT-ET range has been rigorously assessed to a pre-agreed national approval arrangement that removes the need for individual UK highway authorities to carry out their own assessment of the product. The in-depth approval process involved laboratory testing, performance trials, material assessments and audits of Ancon’s manufacturing processes and quality controls.

Contact Ancon on 0114 275 5224 or email info@ancon.co.uk with details of your individual project requirements.

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Giant Peach introduces YouTube and SoundCloud options

The world of communications never stands still and as we enter 2016, there’s an exciting new option for companies looking to raise awareness of their products and services that makes that communication more powerful than ever before.

For UK Construction & Building Services and associated Manufacturing and Energy sector manufacturing and service provider businesses looking to communicate in a very targeted way with their trade target audiences, there’s a new option from an established internet portal that makes information gathering via the internet even simpler – and quite a lot more fun!

Giant Peach launched its first sector portal in 2001 and has since developed BusinessNet Explorer – a new multi-sector portal with a state-of-the-art customised search facility. BNE aims to significantly reduce the time taken for the business community to search for B2B internet options.

Giant Peach’s specialist team has already put together an impressive offering of product news and information access options via the BusinessNet Explorer portal, providing an easy to navigate and rewarding visit to the evolving BusinessNet. The company has now introduced a new BusinessNet Explorer YouTube channel and a SoundCloud podcast channel that makes trade news messages simple to listen to on the move and easy to gather information from.

The YouTube channel enhances the audio content from the SoundCloud channel based product news round and ‘special edition’ interview podcasts further by including supporting visuals. Both channels can easily be accessed via the BusinessNet Explorer home page www.BusinessNetExplorer.com

Both channel playlists include monthly product news round podcasts and a selection of ‘special edition’ podcasts featuring interviews with industry leaders covering topical industry issues, new products and product areas and new services available in the industry. The latest one available sees Nick Hayler, Technical Services Manager of Marshall-Tufflex, interviewed by Mick de Leiburne for BusinessNet Explorer covering a range of issues including the company’s investment in new manufacturing technology that assists them in bringing new product developments to market more quickly. The number of new podcasts available will grow in the weeks and months ahead to provide a library of interesting options available in an easily digested format that hasn’t been available in this sector before.

The initial podcasts are proving popular with the listeners and the companies involved in providing the information: “Our client Klober was extremely pleased to be contacted by us to determine whether they wanted to take advantage of BNE’s first podcast,” says Nigel Pittman at Pittman PR. “The number of individuals who listened in the first fortnight was very impressive, so we would recommend considering them as a worthwhile addition to extend marketing exposure.”

According to Mick de Leiburne, it’s all good news for Giant Peach: “It’s another new offering from Giant Peach that is a direct response from our customers to the need for new ways of sharing news and spreading messages in the sector. It’s a natural progression to the work we have been doing for several years and offers a value added service to the role we have performed successfully over that time. The value is more than doubled as the companies that are providing us with content for these podcasts are also making them accessible through their own web sites and communications processes. It’s just a way of increasing the exposure that companies can get for news stories, case studies and new product and services releases that they already produce and at the same time meeting the growing demand within the specifier and buyer community to have the option to access product news and information in audio and audio / visual formats.”

For more information on how you can spread the word through this exciting new medium, contact Mick de Leiburne via newmedia@BusinessNetExplorer.com or mobile 07971 081 620.

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One of the most striking of FAKRO’s new range of flat roof windows is the DXW. Designed specifically for areas of heavy foot traffic, a specially strengthened sash and frame enable it to be fitted flush within the roofline. The window marks another first for both the roofing industry and FAKRO and combines contemporary styling with laminated, P2A anti-burglary glazing and a wear-resistant, anti-slip surface. Both qualities have been extensively tested to ensure the window can withstand the stresses, point loading and impact to which roof terraces and exposed decks above cellars are subjected. Eight standard sizes are available from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200mm. See the DXW being put to the test at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFUBSl3MfIA.

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Mitsubishi Electric has produced a free, CPD-accredited guide to the new Energy Related Products Directive or ErP (2009/125/EC), which is a key part of the European Union’s drive to encourage consumers to use more energy efficient products.

The ErP Directive, which came into force at the end of September, now means that commercial and residential heating products will need to display an energy label, so that consumers can quickly understand the energy efficiency of the products they purchase.

A similar market transformation strategy has already proved highly successful with consumer goods such as fridges and freezers, where it is now very rare to find anything below an A rated product available on the high street.

To highlight the requirements under ErP Mitsubishi Electric has also released a short video which explains how the Directive is designed to help phase out lower performing products whilst having a positive impact on the emissions levels across Europe and increase the share of renewable energies by 20 per cent.

The dedicated video can be viewed at the company’s YouTube Channel and further information on the entire range of A++ heat pumps can be found on the dedicated Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk1ldYXNpuw&list=PLvcrLXkBScHpdC0WSvzpO3uvwawcNjpIr&index=10  

The Directive is a two-part strategy. Firstly, the ErP requires manufacturers to produce energy-using products that meet stringent minimum performance standards. And secondly, these products must be clearly labelled using a standard methodology so that consumers can quickly understand the energy efficiency of the products they purchase.

The CPD Guide covers both main parts of the ErP: the EcoDesign regulations and the Energy Labelling regulations. The guide explains how the labelling is designed to help businesses and homeowners understand the benefits of each technology and focuses on the importance of ErP in relation to legislation such as the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

For further information, visit http://bit.ly/1NBrWjl

Click on the images to enlarge

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Just three years after its first Queen’s Award for Enterprise presentation in 2012, Ancon Building Products officially received its second award on Thursday 15^th October at a special ceremony at its manufacturing site in Deeside, North Wales.

The 2015 Award, for International Trade, recognises Ancon’s outstanding success in growing sales across new and existing export markets. It follows the company’s previous Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its ground-breaking Lockable Dowel, a system that has since revolutionised post-tensioned concrete construction.

The prestigious award, the highest accolade that any UK business can achieve for export growth, was presented to Ancon by the Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Mr Henry George Fetherstonhaugh OBE, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

The ceremony at the Deeside facility, the largest and most advanced Wall Tie manufacturing operation in the UK, was attended by 36 employees who proudly watched Ancon’s Export Team Leader, Angela Reeve, accept the ceremonial scroll from the Lord Lieutenant. Her colleague Lynn Forster, Deeside’s Purchasing Manager and longest-serving employee at the site, who has been part of the Ancon team there for the last 32 years, received the commemorative Queen’s Award crystal bowl on behalf of the company.

The Lord Lieutenant said,

“Ancon represents the very best of British innovation and technology, and this dynamic company, which has trebled its exports in the last ten years, has led the way in its field.”

“To win one award is pretty spectacular; to win two awards in three years is absolutely amazing.”

“It is very gratifying to present this award here in Deeside, where Ancon provides 92 much needed jobs and I wish the company every continued success in the future.”

In addition to its headquarters and two manufacturing sites in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Ancon has operated production facilities in North Wales since 1983. The Lord Lieutenant met several employees as he toured the site on Deeside Industrial Park, where the company has been based since 2008 when they outgrew previous sites in Flint and Greenfield.

Speaking after the ceremony, Managing Director, Stuart Maxwell said,

“It’s another very proud day for the Ancon business. We now hold Queen’s Awards for both Innovation and International Trade, confirming that we are successfully combining the development of market-specific solutions with effective worldwide distribution strategies. Our UK-manufactured products are now exported across the globe from the USA, Russia, throughout the far east and into the Asian pacific regions.”

“Our outstanding achievements over the last few years are down to the knowledge, hard work and commitment of our employees, as well as our distributors around the world. My sincere thanks and congratulations go out to everyone.”

“With a number of major construction projects and new product launches in the pipeline, I am certain the business will continue to go from strength-to strength.”

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An executive with more than two decades’ experience in the construction products market, and who believes in ‘leading from the front’ has been appointed Managing Director of Crittall Windows.

Stuart Judge has joined the Witham-based company, the world’s oldest continuous manufacturer of steel windows, from Everest, where he was commercial director.

He takes over the helm at Crittall from John Pyatt who has been MD for the past 16 years. Pyatt now becomes company chairman.

Judge has been a prominent figure within the construction and industrial products market for the past 21 years having also worked for Mumford & Wood, Blairs Ltd and Saint-Gobain Solaglass. He joined industry following five years in the Royal Navy as a marine electrical engineer.

He says: “l believe that leading from the front, by example, and passionately demonstrating vision, are some of the key facets to building and enhancing strong, team based cultures.”

Pyatt, announcing his decision to relinquish the MD’s role explained:

“Following 16 years as Managing Director I feel it is now time to hand over the reins. During my stewardship the Company has been through some difficult and challenging times and we have been able to successfully navigate our way into a much stronger and resilient business which provides the stepping stone for a further development.”

Welcoming Judge’s appointment he added: “Stuart is a senior, highly experienced sales and commercial leader with 21 years of achieving results and success in the construction market, many of them in the window industry. Crittall will go from strength to strength under his management.”

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Precision Technology Supplies are pleased to announce the publication of a new 500 page product catalogue. The catalogue covers the full range of Metric and Unified Stainless Steel Fastener we can offer. We have been working on our e-catalogue for a long time and this has been very successful, however we felt it was time to produce a hardcopy version. The catalogue will be available in English as a hardcopy and online in 5 different languages. To request a copy or to download the e-catalogue please visit our website www.pts-uk.com or email us at sales@pts-uk.com

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A new video from Mitsubishi Electric shows how the company took its head office from an ‘E’ to a ‘B’ energy rating and offers advice on how other companies can do the same.

With tough legislation focusing attention on energy use in the built environment, how we heat, cool and ventilate our buildings is coming under scrutiny as never before.

“We’ve been on an eight year journey and one of the things we are saying in this video is that any business could and should be planning to improve the performance of their building”, explains Russell Jones who hosts the video.

“Just like any other company we have had to make a strong business case for each new piece of equipment, but the fact that we have improved so much and have significantly reduced running costs shows the advantages that can be gained”.

The video can be viewed on the company’s dedicated YouTube channel: https:youtube.com/mitsubishielectric2

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Saint-Gobain PAM UK, part of international materials company Saint-Gobain, has launched a new range of steel channels, gullies and gratings for use in most industrial and commercial applications.

Adding to the company’s VortX range of cast iron floor, roof and shower drains, the steel channels, gullies and gratings can be used internally and externally and are 100% recyclable at the end of product life.

Supplied in Grade 304 stainless steel as standard with Grade 316 versions also available, products are designed to suit terrazzo, tiled and vinyl floor finishes. Grating options include a high flow, anti-slip bar grate, ideal for areas where more slip resistance is required, and can withstand loads of 15kN to 250kN.

Commenting on the launch, Mike Rawlings, Marketing Manager – Soil, Drain & Rainwater at Saint-Gobain PAM UK said:

“This launch adds to our ever-growing VortX range, which is the result of a continuous development programme that offers installers everything they need to do the job, without complicated selecting procedures.

“The standard range is suitable for a number of applications including food and drink processing, pharmaceuticals, commercial kitchens, hotels and restaurants, hospitals, supermarkets, sports and leisure, prisons, railways and utilities.

“In addition to the standard products in the range, we can offer an array of bespoke products that can be manufactured to suit the customers’ exacting requirements.”

For more information, visit www.pam-vortx.co.uk or telephone 0115 930 5000 to request a brochure.

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