Nationwide hard landscaping materials supplier London Stone has opened the doors to its largest showroom to date. It is in Birmingham.

The 850m² showroom is in Erdington, part of Birmingham just five minutes from J5 of the M6.

The new branch opens-up the counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire to London Stone.

The showroom boasts inspirational displays of hard landscaping in stone and porcelain, Chelmer Valley clay pavers, decking, steps and copings, vertical solutions such as cladding, fencing and screening, and complementary lifestyle products such as pergolas, planters, and outdoor furniture.

Steve Walley, London Stone’s Managing Director, says: “Our latest branch opening underlines our commitment to growing our showroom portfolio nationwide.

“We are extremely excited to establish ourselves in The Midlands and look forward to welcoming new customers to the showroom, as well as giving those clients who already source from us, a London Stone base closer to home.”

The showroom is open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

In the summer an internal tile display will be unveiled in the showroom as the company continues to expand its product range.

As with all London Stone showrooms, the new Birmingham premises are open to both trade and retail customers. They will have access to free Wi-Fi and be offered complimentary refreshments, as they are served by the team of friendly, expert sales staff on site.

#ThisIsLondonStone

www.londonstone.co.uk

Imagine walls with built in powered strips for holding devices such as phone chargers, lighting or even a television screen that can be moved to wherever you want to position them.

That is the brainchild of Johannes Falk and he is looking for worktop fabricators in the UK to supply such systems.

Under the trademark of TheWall, based in Germany, he supplies the patented, ready to go ‘plug and play’ frame and all the accessories that can fit into it. The fabricator adds the decorative surface and fits it.

Johannes believes it is a way of adding value to splashbacks and wall linings in kitchens, bathrooms, offices, bedrooms and living areas. It has already caught the imagination of kitchen companies including the new owners of Lechner in Germany and Dekker in The Netherlands.

Now TheWall is coming to the UK, where the company is being represented by Philip Winter, who has previously worked with Italian Luxury Surfaces / Stone Italiana and before that was the UK MD of a German kitchen company.

In the UK, the worktop market is more fragmented than in some mainland European countries and Johannes hopes to work with a number of first rate regional companies being identified by Philip Winter.

Johannes wants to limit the number of fabricators involved because he wants to be sure of the quality of the work, as TheWall products are up-market and poor workmanship would compromise that position.

Johannes says the idea for TheWall came to him from Vitra rail lighting used by shops. They lack the aesthetics to be used in kitchens, bathrooms or living areas, but a trip to a lighting company in Austria resulted in the development of a powered rail with lighting that could be moved to any position on the rail and just clipped in place for up or down lighting.

That was the start of TheWall. Since then Johannes has developed a whole range of quality products, powered and not powered, that just clip into a frame. “We want to bring hundreds of interesting items to TheWall,” says Johannes. The accessories are bought online only from the-wall-shop.com.

Johannes says he once worked for Apple, where he learnt that what people want most are products they can unwrap and use straight away, and that is what TheWall offers.

He says it is totally safe, and even if fingers or anything else are poked into the gap that the accessories fit into it is not possible to get an electric shock.

Philip Winter says: “It's an innovative, flexible rail system that brings functionality to 'inert' splash-backs and wall installations. The finished products are delivered as 'plug and play' ready to install units, including all electrical connections. The precision alu-frame creates a very stable platform for 6mm ceramics.”

He says once the surface has been added to the frame it becomes exceptionally robust.

The frame and electrics do add to the thickness of the installation and 46mm clearance is required.

For more information contact philip.winter@kitchen-alchemy.com / 07921 859330.

Trolex has been Highly Commended by the British Safety Industry Federation for its Air XS Silica Monitor, which claims to be the world’s first real-time respirable crystalline silica (RCS) monitor. It is being introduced to the stone industry by Stone Industry Group (SiG) in Derbyshire.

The Air XS Silica Monitor was recognised in the Product Innovation category of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSiF) Awards.

The BSiF Awards, in association with the Safety & Health Excellence Awards, took place on 6 April at The Vox, NEC, Birmingham.

Hosted by actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, the Awards highlight and reward contributions to improving health & safety in the UK.

Silica in the form of RCS is the biggest dust risk to construction workers after asbestos. It can debilitate and kill, and it is estimated that 600,000 workers are exposed to dangerous levels of RCS each year in the UK.

The Air XS Silica Monitor delivers real-time detection of RCS in airborne dust and is mobile enough to be moved to take readings in different locations.

Requiring no complicated set-up and only five minutes of maintenance a month, the Air XS is easy-to-use and provides accurate monitoring with minimal training.

The presence of RCS is measured by volume, with the Air XS able to distinguish RCS from other dust in the atmosphere.

In addition, the Air XS can track changing concentrations of RCS over time, letting workers know if the amount of it in their workspace is increasing as they work and when it has risen to dangerous levels.

Steve Holland, the Trolex Managing Director, says: “It was a huge privilege to receive the Award at such an important industry event and is testament to all the work that has gone into developing this innovative product.

“The Air XS Silica Monitor has the potential to save millions of lives. The development of this product signals an exciting period of growth and opportunity for the business and is set to have a huge impact on the industry.”

To learn more about the Air XS Silica Monitor, book a demonstration or to speak to a Trolex expert, email sales@trolex.com.

SiG showed the Trolex Air XS at StonExpo/Marmomac in America in February (SiG is selling it in America as well as the UK and Europe), where it won the ‘Best of Technology 2022’ Award… read more

trolex.com

Following last year’s merger of the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) with the National Stone Centre (NSC) in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, changes are progressing rapidly.

The Peak District Mining Museum is relocating to the NSC and a Derbyshire-based architect, Babenko Associates, has been appointed to reimagine the 42-acre site.

A public consultation about the proposed new vision takes place on Saturday (9 April) at the National Stone Centre starting at 9am. Draft proposals showing what the site could look like will be presented and will remain on display at the NSC until the end of May.

Babenko Associates is based just a stone’s throw from the National Stone Centre on Porter Lane in Wirksworth. It won a three-way pitch to representatives of the IQ and NSC trustees.

Viv Russell, who chairs IQ, says: “The Institute has a driving ambition to realise the potential of the NSC and create a new home for IQ.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to create a hugely exciting new visitor centre that celebrates the extraordinary role that stone plays in all of our lives.

“The existing building has limited potential for development, so we invited ideas from a small group of local architects to come up with their own vision for a new national stone centre.

“All three gave us a lot of food for thought, but ultimately the team at Babenko Associates really captured our imagination with their ideas around construction materials, sustainability, and use of space.

“In addition, we want the NSC to continue to grow as part of the vibrant local community. Employing a partner that can be on site in minutes and also understands the nuances of the local area is a huge benefit to us.”

Gabriel Babenko of Babenko Associates heads a multi-skilled team of professionals who have worked in the construction industry for over 30 years. He says: “The National Stone Centre is a bit of a local landmark, so we jumped at the opportunity to present our ideas to provide the Centre with a new home, as well as office and meeting accommodation for the IQ and its members.”

He described the site as “a real hidden gem, with stunning views and an industrial legacy of past quarrying”. He said his practice would be fine-tuning its ideas for the site over the next couple of months with a big reveal planned for the project later in the year.

IQ is relocating to temporary buildings on the site in Wirksworth and the National Stone Centre remains open as usual.

As for the move of the Peak District Mining Museum to the site from its present location in nearby Matlock Bath, Viv Russell says: “When we announced the merger of IQ and NSC last summer and outlined our plans to redevelop the NSC, it got us noticed by the directors of the Peak District Mining Museum, who approached us for further exploratory conversations about a possible move. It’s still early days, but it feels like there’s a real energy and enthusiasm for this to work.”

Clare Herbert, the museum’s Manager, says: “We are quite literally just down the road from the National Stone Centre, so a move to the IQ’s proposed ‘centre of excellence’ for quarrying and mineral products would be a perfect fit for us. It would also enable us to realise the ambition we have for the museum and collection, while remaining embedded in the Derbyshire mining communities from which we draw our inspiration.”

The National Stone Centre opened in 1990 to inspire people to engage with the origin, industry and history of stone extraction in the county and across the country. It sits in six former limestone quarries the constitute a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). IQ’s vision of creating a knowledge centre for the industry will result in a destination that can be used by the stone and minerals industries to engage stakeholders vital to the continuing success of the sector.

www.quarrying.org/nationalstonecentre

A new free mentoring service has been launched to help you implement digital processes and techniques in your business.

Digital Construction Skills (DCS) is funded by CITB to help construction companies develop the skills they need to drive their digital transformation.

With a strong focus on smaller (SME) business owners, directors, and senior managers, DCS aims to demystify digital tools and help businesses choose the best products to align with their goals.

All the mentors on the programme have recent, real-world experience on the front line of the construction industry and are specialists in the technical and commercial aspects of digital construction.

This includes digitalising information flow and physical elements, such as 3D models and reality capture.

There are many benefits to adopting digital practices. It could help you to reduce admin time and costs, improve safety and quality, and keep digital records to speed up payment, protect against claims, and complete your tax returns. It can also increase productivity of engineers and other site staff.

Because time is always at a premium for companies, DCS will make the mentoring process as simple and focussed as possible.

There are no forms to fill in, you simply book a 15-, 30- or 60-minute meeting with a digital construction specialist.

DCS also offers mentoring at various stages of a business’s digital journey, from the very start when you have not yet explored how digital tools can support your business, through to guidance on accessing a range of funding and support available for digital adoption, and then to implementation.

Saffron Grant, Managing Director at Digital Constructions Skills, said: “Digital leadership skills are so important because the way we work is changing.

“Understanding the benefits of digital technologies, and how they can help you achieve your business goals can ensure your business remains competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing landscape.

“This mentoring service can help you select the digital tools that are right for your company and get the very best out of them. The programme is supported by free eLearning modules, training courses and other valuable resources.”

Feedback has also been shared by businesses that have received support from the service.

For example, Andy Dalrymple, Managing Director at Mackenzie Construction, says: “Digital Construction Skills helped us access funding to help us train our staff in a new digital platform we are rolling out across our business.”

Ed Clement, Owner of Patterson Bailey Engineers: “Thanks to free support from Digital Construction Skills I am adding several new revenue streams to my business, including carrying out drone surveys and setting out construction works.”

David Minns, Operations Director, GAC Environmental: “The support helped us get all the right people together in one room, and get to the point where we were able to make a clear decision on the priority areas for digital tools.”

To book a 15-minute, 30-minute or one-hour call, click here.

Members of the Natural Stone Industry Training Group (NSITG) visited Bath College’s Stone Masonry Department on 30 March. The group, including representatives from Welsh Government’s Cadw, Stone Federation Great Britain, Brunel University and the Building Crafts College, met Bath College tutors and heard about new courses being developed to enhance the Stone Masonry Trailblazer apprenticeship courses.

Facilities at Bath for stonemasonry are now housed at the Somer Valley Campus, at Radstock, that were purpose built for the masonry and carpentry departments.

Training suites include workshop banker environments and outdoor areas to simulate site experiences.

Students working on the bankers during the visit were local young women drawn to the masonry course because of its diverse routes of career options. They said they were particularly interested in the detail of the banker work and lettercutting.

Student work seen by the NSITG group included examples of drawings and initial stages of developing form and texture using clay for practice and development.

The new Stone Masonry Trailblazer Apprenticeship offers a core of mandatory units, including health & safety. Students then have to choose an optional route from: Banker, Exterior Mason, Interior Mason, Façade Preservation, Heritage Mason or Memorial Mason.

Bath are in the process of developing courses to offer more of the routes, but currently have banker, interior and external fixer only.

Heritage will be added at the start of the new term in September, with a view to adding memorial mason in due course.

All routes attract Government and CITB grant aide for employers.

Bath has recently recruited new lecturers from the stone community to work with students as it aims to maintain the standards that last year saw two of the college’s students win Gold and Silver in stonemasonry at SkillBuild, the multi-trade skills competition for construction trainees and apprentices. Gold was won by Lewis Evans and Silver by Kane Frith. They were both Level 3 stonemasonry students.

New developments at the college include short courses for both BIM (building information modelling) and CAD (computer-aided design) that are being added to the Apprenticeship offer, along with a new suite of sustainability options ahead of them becoming a mandatory part of the Trailblazer delivery.

This was the NSITG’s first face-to-face visit since the Covid restrictions began and members appreciated the opportunity to discuss best practice and share ideas over lunch.

Next NSITG plans to visit the Building Crafts College in London, which is another of the colleges delivering the new Trailblazer apprenticeships.

www.nsitg.org.uk