Spec Finish

NEWS 10 www.thefis.org SMEs’ balance sheets look healthy SMEs within the construction trades are showing signs of growth with balance sheets returning to pre-lockdown levels, according to a new study. Data studied by Powered Now, a provider of job management, invoice, estimating and scheduling software for SMEs studied a sample of 179 companies within building and construction and discovered their combined total sales for 2020 were as follows: January £2.2m, February £3.0m, March £2.7m, April £0.9m, May £1.4m, June £2.8m. Its studies from data available for both 2019 and 2020, show that the sector, despite the COVID-19 impacts, has not gone into decline, with sales figures for the first half of both respective years equating to £7.4 million. Hygienic materials guide published to support specifiers A series of guides for specifiers have been launched to explain the hygienic properties of materials that can be used for surfaces and protective screens. Bringing together a suite of options, they are organised into categories based on their performance and potential uses and have been developed by materials supplier James Latham to cover five sectors: Retail, education, leisure and hospitality, offices and healthcare. Steve Johnson of the Advanced Technical Panels division specialises in health-related products at Lathams. He said: “There are many products available and it is not always clear what the differences are between them. For example, there is a lot of confusion between anti-microbial and anti-bacterial products. The difference is that anti-bacterial materials prevent bacteria from growing on their surface, while anti-microbial products halt the growth of bacteria and a broader range of viruses, organisms, protozoa, and fungi such as mould or mildew. This makes them significantly better for high-use surfaces.” www.lathamtimber.co.uk/contact-us BeadMaster mandated for use by Willmott Dixon on all projects Willmott Dixon has made BeadMaster, a new product for tradespeople launched last year by aask us, the mandated method for electric switches and sockets on all of its projects. The contractor selected BeadMaster for the development after trialling them at previous projects in its SouthWest division during 2019 and has since included the cover plates in its quality manual for installation and workmanship, The Yellow Book: Build. Launched by aask us and designed for single and double gang sockets and switches, BeadMaster products can be plastered straight over, keeping the backbox clean and creating a perfect finish. SpecFinish interviewed the range’s inventor Pete Carter last year, just before its official launch, and the product has since grown in popularity. The products can be used around sockets, switches, downlights and sprinklers. Cover plates are stapled to the plasterboard, enabling plasterers to skim over holes quickly and easily. The centre is then removed to reveal smooth reinforced edges. A colourful solution for ResortsWorld PPGArchitectural Coatings and its paint brand Johnstone’s Trade were used in the renovation of ResortsWorld, which is home to an assortment of shops, restaurants and entertainment establishments, including a cinema, hotel and casino. Architectural and interiors practice Alexander Owen Architecture (AO) wanted to incorporate a subtle sheen to the surface to give the colour transitions fluidity, and with such high footfall at the centre, the chosen product needed to be hard wearing. Collaborating with Bagnalls, Johnstone’s Trade Eggshell from PPG was specified for the project, which had a 20 sq m coverage. The design itself involved a range of over 20 vibrant colours, including neon highlights. Working with the architects, PPG’s colour consultant team colour matched to the closest corresponding shades from the palette. These included pinks and purples, such as Kenny’s Kiss, Cleopatra’s Gown and Mystic Iris, as well as Electric Mint. Richard Bridges, Co-Founder of AO Architecture, said: “Having PPG’s colour consultant on site as part of the project team was a huge help, and meant that we were able to discuss how the colours behaved within the space and refine the final selection from both a creative and technical perspective.” Mark Hopkins, Senior Maintenance Manager at Resorts World, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the overall result. It’s so bold and we’re especially impressed with the high-quality finish. The newly designed atrium has made such an impact on the overall aesthetic of the building and is a true representation of our identity. It’s become a real talking point for all our customers and something that they have come to associate with Resorts World.” AO Architecture and Bagnalls have since won the Retail category at this year’s Painter of the Year Awards, hosted by Johnstone’s Trade. www.johnstonestrade.com