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FeRFA e-news January 2012 |
Welcome to the first FeRFA News page of 2012. After yet another challenging year for businesses involved in the construction sector, our role as a specialist trade association is to support our members and to promote their specialist skills and expertise. It therefore comes as no surprise that training and upskilling continue to be a top priority for FeRFA , as we start the year with a series of one day Upskilling courses on a wide range of topics, available subject to demand. New programmes for the FeRFA apprenticeship schemes, Insitu Resin Flooring and Surface Preparation, will be started in March, followed by the launch mid year of a new apprenticeship scheme for Screeding contractors. FeRFA has made great progress over the past five years in training and qualifying its members, none of which could have been achieved without FeRFA members’ ongoing commitment to support training, irrespective of the economic climate. Details on all FeRFA training and support is available from the FeRFA website (www.ferfa.org.uk) and in the meantime we wish you all a healthy and prosperous New Year. Helen McGachie, FeRFA CEO IN THIS ISSUE:
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ELECTION OF NEW VICE CHAIRMANFeRFA Council has elected Chris Orme, of BASF, as its Vice Chairman for the coming two years. Chris (pictured below) will take over the Chairmanship from David Priest at the AGM in 2013.
Of his role as Vice Chairman, Chris says: "I would like to encourage more people to come into our industry and to reinforce the importance of belonging to a specialist trade association".
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HOUSEHOLD AND MOTOR INSURANCECOBRA Insurance Brokers are the appointed insurance broker for FeRFA and specialise in managing commercial business in the Resin Flooring Industry. FeRFA members who already use our services know that we provide a personal and reliable service at competitive premiums. But did you know that COBRA can also arrange cover for a whole range of insurance including:
* most travel insurance sold with a holiday is the same price as an annual travel policy with Cobra, which will cover all your travel for a whole year. Buying it per trip is a very expensive way of doing it so if you are planning more than one holiday a year, abroad or in the Uk, it is generally better value to purchase an annual policy. Is your Household or Motor Insurance policy due for renewal soon? |
FeRFA RECYCLING SCHEME & ON LINE GUIDANCEMore and more members are signing up for the FeRFA Recycling Scheme and finding out for themselves the benefits that such a scheme offers. Signing up to the scheme enables you to provide your clients with clear evidence of your environmental performance and commitment to sustainable practices. It can also form an important part of any pre-qualification process. Make sure you are not left behind and take a look at the benefits of the scheme today. The FeRFA Recycling Scheme brings together contractors and manufacturers in a recycling programme for waste packaging (hazardous and non hazardous) in which it is collected, decontaminated and reprocessed for future use, with up to 100% of waste being recycled.
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CONSTRUCTION PIPELINEThe Cabinet Office has now published the ‘pipeline’ of Government construction projects at Infra_and_Construction_Pipelines. The most useful sheet is labelled Government_construction and the data can be sorted by preferred criteria e.g. Sector, Region, or Earliest construction start date. |
TRAINING NEWSFeRFA’s Scottish apprentices learn the art of Surface Preparation The apprentices on FeRFA’s first Scottish resin training scheme came south of the border this month to take their two-day training module in Surface Preparation at The Preparation Group’s training facility in Lincoln. VI Distribution have been supporting the apprenticeship scheme for a number of years by providing a set of personal protective equipment for each candidate when they start the practical element of the training. For this session Mark Clarke from VI visited Lincoln to hand over some of the kit. Apart from these particular modules, which required the use of specialist equipment for surface preparation, all the other training in this two year course is taking place in and around Glasgow where the candidates from FeRFA contractors Industrial Floor Treatments Ltd of East Kilbride and Veitchi Industrial Flooring of Rutherglen are based. The group has four more modules to complete during this year and will then continue their training on-site, following which they will be assessed for the SVQ Level 2 Diploma in Insitu Resin Flooring. The FeRFA website has comprehensive information on training and grants, including the apprenticeship schemes for In Situ Resin flooring and Surface Preparation, Upskilling courses and NVQs. Visit www.ferfa.org.uk to find out more. TAKE ON AN APPRENTICE IN 2012FeRFA's apprenticeship schemes in both In Situ Resin Flooring and Surface Preparation provide value for money training that are entirely grant-funded. Make the most of your CITB levy by taking on an apprentice, who will become a fully trained and valuable member of your workforce, at no extra cost. In addition to the £5,200 grant, which is paid over the two years of the apprenticeship, all employers putting an apprentice on the FeRFA schemes receive an additional one-off bonus payment of £1,000. All companies who have an apprentice appear in the Apprentice Hall of Fame and have the appropriate logo against their company to indicate their commitment to training. (See more below on this.) To find out more about the apprenticeship scheme go to the training section of the website or call FeRFA on 01252 714250. UPSKILLING COURSESFeRFA will organise Upskilling courses, subject to demand, on the tollowing topics:
The course fee is being subsidised for FeRFA members and will be £75 per person, which includes: Tuition (both classroom and practical where applicable), set of course notes and completion certificate, as well as lunch and refreshments. Please register your interest in any of these courses, by getting in contact with FeRFA direct on 01252 714250 or by email. |
HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR FERFA WEBSITE ENTRY YET?Make sure your company listing on the FeRFA website is up to date and shows all the services you offer. The site now include logos to denote which companies have the following:
Check your website entry by visiting the : Find a FeRFA Member page and make sure your details are up to date, |
SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS DEMONSTRATE COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETYThe results of the 2010/11 accident survey carried out by the National Specialist Contractors' Council (NSCC) highlight the importance placed by its members on health and safety in the workplace after NSCC recorded lower fatal and major injury rates than the industry as a whole. FeRFA is a member of NSCC and 98% of FeRFA contractors participated in the survey. In the latest annual survey covering almost 100,000 operatives, the NSCC fatal injury rate was 1.0 per 100,000 workers compared with the industry rate of 2.3 per 100,000 workers as reported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The NSCC major injury rate was 168.8 per 100,000 workers, which is lower than the rate of 173.2 per 100,000 workers recorded by the industry. Almost half of all accidents occurring to NSCC Specialist Contractors resulted from either handling, lifting and carrying or slip and trips, which is consistent with all industries in the UK, including construction. By collecting accident statistics each year, NSCC demonstrates to clients and other interested parties that its members have a better safety record than non-members and, over the last eight years, the NSCC fatal injury rate has fallen by 72%, the major injury rate by 52%, and the over 3-day injury rate by 47%. A copy of the full NSCC Accident Report is available to download at: NSCC Accident Survey 2010/11 |
STATE OF INDUSTRY REPORTNSCC is working with Building Magazine and CITB-ConstructionSkills to undertake research into the current state of the specialist sector. The detailed research is looking at market conditions; contractual, workforce and training issues; and Government policy and will provide an insight into the effect of the recession on Specialist Contractors and their capability to deliver to client expectations as the economy returns to growth. Specialist Contractors are encouraged to respond to the online survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes, from Monday 30 January – Monday 20 February via the NSCC website at www.nscc.org.uk. |
DISRUPTION DURING THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPICSThere is expected to be six weeks of severe disruption across the transport network this summer due to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This will impact on employees getting to and from work, customers and visitors accessing premises, and making deliveries and receiving collections due to parking and road restrictions. Detailed guidance on how the Games will affect business is available at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/business-network/travel-advice-for-business/. |
MEETINGS, SEMINARS AND EXHIBITIONS 2012 SURFACE DESIGN SHOW: 7-9 Feb at Business Design Centre, London FeRFA MEETINGS, TRAINING COURSES and APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING DATESFeRFA Technical Committee: 8 Feb at the Ibis Rugby East |
FeRFA MEMBERS NEWSUse the following links for more COMPANY NEWS or you can go to specific CASE STUDIES and the NEW FeRFA GALLERY |
GROWTH THROUGH MARKETING FOR BOUD MINERALSAs a supplier of quality raw materials to the flooring industry for over 25 years, Boud Minerals is proud of its ‘silent partner’ role in helping both flooring manufacturers and contractors to build their businesses and deliver some breathtaking and innovative flooring projects.
“We are flexible in how we do things”, explains Director Fred Boud, “which helps to better accommodate what our customers need for their flooring systems. We understand that each project carries its own, unique set of requirements and think it is more beneficial to work in ways that makes things easy for customers than to be too rigid in our processes and procedures.” Boud Minerals currently works with many of the major flooring industry manufacturers and contractors and this year will be seeking to expand its customer base through marketing. “We’d like to do more within our core flooring markets and also to introduce ourselves to sectors where we are not as active”, says Fred Boud. A new marketing manager has recently joined the company and there will be a focus on being more proactive in customer and industry engagement. This will include a corporate re-brand, the development of a new website and the creation of a programme to share experience and industry insight. A spring programme launch is anticipated. Boud Minerals / www.boud.com / 01406 351988 |
KEY TO THE FLOOR - THE PREPARATION GROUP CELEBRATES 21 YEARS IN SURFACE PREPARATIONThe Preparation Group will be opening its doors for two Open Days in March, at its FeRFA approved Training Centre in Lincoln, in celebration of 21 years in Surface Preparation. The Preparation Group began life back in 1991 as a contracting operation, which has today grown into the largest division of its kind in the UK. In 1998, with this valuable insight, the company launched its own range of machines and now offers probably the widest range of Surface Preparation equipment and accessories worldwide. Says Managing Director Tracey Glew; ‘We are committed to providing our customers with the knowledge of the correct methods of Surface Preparation to employ and are the only Surface Preparation company to have won the accolade of FeRFA’S Trainer of the Year award. Our Open Days will give an insight into the breadth of support that we can offer.’ The event will demonstrate the effect of using different machines on the same floor substrate and the impact on both production rates and the finished result and importantly, ’when to use’ and ‘when not to use’ specific equipment and accessories. ‘It’s a 'must-see' occasion for anyone with an interest in obtaining the best possible return from their surface preparation equipment,’ concludes Tracey. For further information, dates or to book a place email Christine Buxton The Preparation Group / www.ppcgroup.co.uk / 01522 561460 |
15 YEAR GUARANTEE TO RONACRETE RESIN PAVING SYSTEMSRonacrete are pleased to announce that RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing is guaranteed for 15 years from the date it is installed by a Ronacrete Approved Contractor. RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing is a blend of aggregates and resin which creates an attractive, porous (SUDs compliant) alternative to conventional paving or loose gravel paths. RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing has been used on footpaths at Westfield Shopping City, Twickenham Stadium and Jodrell Bank as well as providing driveways, paths and swimming pool surrounds at private residences nationwide.
If you would like Ronacrete to recommend one of our Approved Contractors or if you are interested in becoming an Approved Contractor contact Sales on 01279 638700 Ronacrete www.hard-landscaping.ronacrete.co.uk 01279 638700 |
Flowcrete’s Pioneering GREEN Floorzone Solution Showcases At EcobuildThe GREEN Floorzone - Flowcrete UK’s revolutionary, single-source flooring package, which sets out to be the most sustainable and complete flooring solution available to specifiers - will be on show at Ecobuild 2012. Flowcrete will be on stand S654 at Ecobuild, which takes place on 20 – 22 March at London’s ExCEL. Representing years of research and development, The GREEN Floorzone covers every aspect of flooring installation, from substrate through to final floor finish, with the option of underfloor heating and sound-proofing built-in. The sustainable resin floor finishes include options designed to cope with the rigours of commercial environments, such as the seamless terrazzo Mondéco Mirrazzo, which can contain over 50 per cent recycled material and Mondéco Crystal Ice, which contains recycled glass and mirrors, reducing the need for lighting.
An optional element of The GREEN Floorzone involves installing an Isowarm underfloor heating system, which offers energy efficient savings of up to 30 per cent compared to conventional heating systems. Isowarm offers targeted, zoned heat, which is located out of sight underfoot, eliminating the risk of burning and freeing up space from the clutter of radiators. Another optional feature, which represents the first stage of the programme is Isocrete Acoustic Foam, which reduces sound transfer between floors in multi occupancy healthcare environments, again aiding comfort and supporting privacy. The green performance of all these individual elements is measured in eight key areas; environmental efficiency, recycled content, manufacturing efficiency, transport, installation impact, durability, end of life alternatives and third party verification. Flowcrete UK Ltd www.flowcrete.co.uk/floorzone-solution/green-floorzone 01270 753000 |
INSTARMAC GROUP PLC HALVES WASTE TO LANDFILLStaffordshire manufacturer, Instarmac Group plc, has recorded a massive 51% reduction in their waste to landfill, as part of their dedication to reducing their environmental impact – a massive feat for a manufacturing company in any sector. The company’s commitment to environmental best practice and positive engagement in recycling initiatives has meant real enthusiasm for meeting ‘green targets’. Boasting a lengthy list of environmental programmes that have included transparent waste stream development, investment in solar and wind powered energy, and even providing shredded paper for use at local Twycross Zoo to keep the animals warm in winter – means that Instarmac’s environmental projects are bringing real results.
Instarmac’s employees are aware of their responsibilities towards reducing their environmental impact both collectively and individually. They have reviewed, defined current handling of waste, implemented, controlled and reduced their landfill waste by
looking at ways to improve by using process awareness and by seeking better controls to dispose of all material types, reducing general landfill waste and associated costs, leading the way for lean efficiency in the local area. Future projects to promote sustainability and increase efficiency are already underway with investment in a state of the art warehouse management system, and a business plan that focuses on further investment in environmentally friendly packaging and raw materials. Instarmac Group plc www.instarmac.co.uk 01827 872244 |
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Edition January 2012 / FeRFA The Resin Flooring Association. 16 Edward Road , Farnham,
Surrey GU9
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01252 714250 |
Chris started working in the flooring industry in 1999 and has been working with BASF since 2007. In April 2010 he took over the sales of UCRETE® and MASTERTOP® products in the North West and at the same time Chris also joined the FeRFA Council, where he was able to see first hand how the organisation has raised the profile of the resin flooring industry over the last five years and the services and support available to members.
Personal Motor Insurance
All those members who have made the Halving Waste to Landfill commitment and/or the recycling scheme can display the special logos to show their commitment to reducing waste. There is a dedicated section of the website at 
Resin flooring apprentices (Kieran Docherty, John McIntosh, Gordon Monteith and Graeme Stewart from Industrial Floor Treatments and Kieron Taney, Robert Wilson and Stewart Reid from Veitchi Ltd are pictured with Mark Clarke of VI Distribution (left) and John Glew (right). 
Whether providing high quality minerals to serve as general fillers, its own Pigmented Quartz for decorative effect or Conductag for anti-static flooring systems, bespoke mineral processing for specific technical requirements or own label blends produced to customer specification, it is an uncompromising commitment to service that sets Boud apart. 
The event will include: the launch of new equipment and accessories, demonstrations of The Preparation Group’s high performance machines on different floor substrates with the opportunity to try them out, equipment discounts, free bookings for training courses and much more.
The 15 year guarantee covers general loss of stone, cracking, damage as a result of oil spillage or contamination, UV degradation, colour change and frost damage. Get more information about the 
The GREEN Floorzone also features products from Flowcrete’s market-leading and newly enhanced Isocrete Floor Screeds range, given a green makeover with a new formulation free from Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and can contain up to 40 per cent recycled materials.
Instarmac have received ongoing recognition for their environmental and sustainability schemes, as well as their projects to boost lean efficiency. The most recent accolade comes from FeRFA where they were shortlisted for an ‘Environmental Initiative’ award. For two years running the company won the same award presented by The Tile Association, for their waste stream processes, recycling and green ethics which involve every member of staff, not just the business as a whole. Recognition from these industry sectors is a glowing example that their efforts are recognised in practice, and not just on paper.