BAL – marketing leaders in full tiling solutions – have donated tiling products to help with a kitchen renovation at a Northamptonshire primary school.

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Kilsby CE Primary School near Rugby, part of Innovate Multi Academy Trust, have recently renovated a kitchen area so that children can begin special Food Technology lessons.

BAL kindly donated BAL Micromax3 ECO grout in Gunmetal and colour-matched BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant to the school to help them complete the project that was also supported by Topps Tiles who provided other materials including tiles.

These lessons in the new kitchens will have a focus on practical cooking skills to ensure the children develop a thorough understanding of nutrition and the working characteristics of food materials.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said: “When we were approached by the school to help with this project we were delighted to be able to donate products to finish off this wonderful kitchen area and support all of their hard work.

“The completed kitchen area looks fantastic and will provide a great facility for the children to learn all about cooking and nutrition providing crucial life skills for students and supporting healthy living.”

Michael Potter, Trust Premises Partner for Innovate Multi Academy Trust said:

“As school budgets continue to tighten and funds for essential projects become increasingly scarce, the much-needed kitchen refurbishment at Kilsby CE Primary School faced significant challenges.

“However, thanks to the dedication of the school’s passionate head, Georgina Sensecall, a grant from Cummins was successfully secured to help kick-start the project. Georgina, who had long advocated for this refurbishment, then partnered with a local kitchen supplier, Eat Soak Sleep in Rugby, who generously provided the kitchen and a lot of time to help get everything correct.

“With the support of the premises site team, the installation was carried out, resulting in the creation of a remarkable space that will benefit both the children and the wider community.

We would like to thank BAL for their kind donation, which has allowed us to complete our kitchen renovation. This new space will provide an inspiring environment for our students to develop vital cooking and nutrition skills.

“The support from BAL, along with contributions from Topps Tiles, has made a real difference, and we look forward to seeing the children thrive in their Food Technology lessons.”

ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd – part of the ARDEX Group UK – have both achieved gold certification for five years of continuous CO2 carbon reduction.

The ARDEX Group UK first achieved ISO 14064:1 (otherwise known as CEMARS) for the quantifying and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and removals in 2019

Building Adhesives Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent and ARDEX UK, based in Haverhill, were the first companies in the global ARDEX Group to achieve this standard and were the first companies in the tiling and flooring sectors to be reporting their GHG emissions through this internationally recognized standard.

To achieve this internationally recognized standard, BAL and ARDEX UK worked with Achilles (an independent consultancy) to accurately measure their GHG emissions and create positive strategies to manage and continually reduce impacts.

Achilles’ Carbon Reduce (powered by Toitu) scheme highlights the necessary data required which is then measured, monitored and calculated under the ISO 14064:1 scheme. Following successful completion and assessment, executive reports are produced for independent verification.

To ensure that BAL and ARDEX are meeting this international standard, annual audits are carried out by Achilles to verify that both companies can prove they are reducing their CO2 emissions.

Recent audits by Achilles at both Stoke and Haverhill plants confirmed an annual reduction for the 5^th year in a row from their base reporting in 2019, ensuring that both sites achieved the Gold Certificate for being 5 Year Certified under the scheme.

The most recent audit confirmed an 11% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 CO2 emissions at Building Adhesives Ltd in Stoke, and a 17% reduction at ARDEX UK in Haverhill using the programme 5 year rolling average methodology.

Scope 1 & 2 Co2 emissions relate to direct GHG emissions an organisation controls, and indirect GHG emissions from purchasing energy.

Paul Vickers, UK Procurement Manager and UK sustainability champion, said: “Achieving this gold standard from Achilles is a significant step in our road to Scope 1 & 2 carbon neutrality by 2030.

“Recent audits have confirmed that we have made significant progress towards our targets, helped by recent initiatives to reduce our emissions including; the installation of solar panels at both ARDEX and BAL, switching to 100% renewable energy sources, installing energy-efficient LED lighting in our warehouses, promoting the use of electric company vehicles and installation of EV charging points and converting diesel forklifts to electric.

“Other emission reduction measures are also continuing including using reducing waste, increasing the use of recycled raw materials in our products and reducing emissions for company wide freight distribution to our customers.”

BAL Waterproof 1C – the one-coat ready-mixed waterproofing system – has received EAD certification for use on NHBC-approved housebuilding sites.

From January 1st 2025, NHBC the UK’s leading provider of warranty and insurance for new homes in the UK implemented new requirements for their members.

This will mean that any new house in the UK that is built (foundations laid from 1st January 2025) will require tiling in wet areas to be tanked with an EAD certified system to receive warranty and insurance, if they are tiling:

1. Shower over bath OR shower with shower tray, with standard flow rate <12 litres/min – WHEN the substrate manufacturer’s guidance advises a tanking system is still required, or has not passed NHBC Table 2 assessment requirements.
2. ANY shower over bath OR shower with shower tray, with a flow rate >12 litres/min.
3. ANY wet room (fully tiled wall and floor, shower area).

To remain compliant, only suitable NHBC accepted products which form a watertight covering for walls and floors should be used.

BAL Waterproof 1C has been rigorously tested and adheres to all NHBC regulations, crucially receiving EAD certification ETA  24/1129 to comply with NHBC specified standard EAD 030352-00-0503.

BAL Waterproof 1C offers a number of benefits over other EAD-certified waterproofing systems and is also certified with a full BAL tiling solution as part of EAD testing requirements.

BAL Waterproof 1C is a cost-effective ready-mixed solution – which means no additional mixing is needed on site – and can be used on most common substrates without priming*.

It is ready to tile after only 2 hours, meaning jobs can be completed sooner.

Formulated with fibre-strand technology for improved strength, it can be applied in one-coat on walls (ensuring 0.8mm thickness) and floors (ensuring 1.6mm thickness) with a brush, roller or 4mm notched trowel.

This innovative new product is lightweight with easy-to-apply rheology and provides excellent coverage of up to 6m² – making it suitable for a standard domestic shower room, bathrooms or wetrooms.

BAL Waterproof 1C also has sustainable benefits with Low VOC and using 40% recycled materials.

As part of the EAD requirements, BAL Waterproof 1C Tape and BAL Waterproof 1C Matting (when tiling direct to the floor) are necessary, plus BAL Universal Sealant and Adhesive – these are now available from BAL.

EAD certification also requires the use of specific approved tile adhesives with each approved EAD waterproofing system. BAL has multiple options from their existing core range of adhesives that can be used with BAL Waterproof 1C.

John Stewart, UK Sales Manager for Offsite, Housing and Marine, said: “The latest NHBC guidance puts the emphasis on housebuilders and developers to ensure that showers, bathrooms and wetrooms are adequately waterproofed with an EAD approved system.

“BAL Waterproof 1C provides an easy and cost-effective solution to ensure tiled wet areas are compliant with the new NHBC standards.

“BAL Waterproof 1C applied as one coat with a minimum 0.8mm dry thickness on walls – provides complete protection against water ingress, protecting backgrounds from water damage and erosion.

“As a ready-mixed, fast-track solution, it is easy to apply on site and ensures that tiling can be commenced the same day.”

For further information on the application of Waterproof 1C for NHBC compliance and product data, visit https://www.bal-adhesives.com/nhbc-tanking-requirements/

* Priming is only required on plaster and cement boards. Where priming is required in these three instances, then prime all surfaces with one coat of neat BAL Primer 1C and allow to dry for 15 minutes.

BAL – market-leaders for full tiling solutions – have partnered with Topps Tiles and The Tile Association to support National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, BAL visited South and City College Birmingham (SSCB) and Leeds College of Building (LCB) to a mark a new partnership between Topps and the TTA which will see Topps Tiles sponsoring Level 2 Wall and Floor Tiling apprenticeship schemes.

BAL has a long history of supporting colleges – including SSCB and LCB – that offer wall and floor tiling courses with free BAL Training Adhesive (a unique product that allows trainees to tile as they would on-site, but allows the tiles to be reused afterwards to reduce costs and provide a more sustainable approach to training) and support through our nationwide Training and Technical Support Team providing additional training support and information.

In fact, BAL started producing special Training Adhesive for colleges more than 25 years ago and have continued to support colleges and educational establishments ever since!

BAL Training and Technical Support Managers David Hilton and Gary Haigh visited SSCB and LCB respectively for events at both colleges to highlight all the support and materials that BAL provide to these training establishments.

David and Gary met with tiling apprentices old and new, plus colleges lectures and partners from the TTA and Topps Tiles.

David Rowley (BAL Training and Technical Support Manager) also attended the Leeds event in his capacity as TTA Board Director and Training Committee Chair.

Lewis Lupton, UK Head of Training, said: “We were delighted to support Topps Tiles and the TTA in these two events to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

“BAL is proud to support colleges and independent learning providers delivering wall and floor tiling courses across the UK – as we have for more than 25 years.

“We lead practical hands-on training and provide free training material to support many colleges and training centres around the UK. BAL has always been committed to improving workmanship and developing the professional tilers of tomorrow.”

ARDEX GROUP UK is opening its doors to the public as part of a week-long event aimed at attracting young people and career changers to consider a career in construction.

Building Adhesives Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent and ARDEX UK in Haverhill (both part of the ARDEX GROUP) will take part in Open Doors 2025 – which is delivered by Build UK.

Open Doors offers a unique chance for the public to go behind the scenes of live construction sites, offices, factories, and training centres across the UK, and discover how the communities they live in are shaped and constructed by a fantastic industry with a diverse range of career paths to offer.

Open Doors takes place between Monday 17 – Saturday 22 March 2025, with Building Adhesives Ltd opening for visitors on 17^th and 20^th March and ARDEX UK on 18^th and 19^th March.

There will be two sessions per day from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.

College students and members of the public will be able to discover all about the tiling, flooring and general construction sectors.

They will be able to find out about the skills needed for installation and see the types of systems used in modern-day construction with BAL, ARDEX and Dunlop solutions.

Visitors will benefit from insights and a Q&A with experienced installation professionals who will give an understanding of career opportunities with practical insight on what the roles involve, pros/cons of the job and best next steps.

Plus they can hear from R&D, operations and sales and marketing specialists if these are other career steps of interest.

The sessions at Building Adhesives Ltd will give visitors the chance to explore a refurbished Academy – with new training facilities due to open to the trade at the end of February.

Bookings are now available on the Open Doors website and through ARDEXAcademy.UK and spaces are set to fill up quickly.

Open Doors seeks to inspire young people and career changers of all ages to consider and explore a dynamic and exciting career in the construction industry.

The event is delivered in partnership with CITB and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and supported by Industry Partners Canary Wharf Group, Construction Futures, Go Construct, Kier, People’s Partnership, and Willmott Dixon, and Community Partners The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), Careers Wales, the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and Skills Development Scotland, and Media Partner Building Magazine.

Lewis Lupton, National Training Manager at the ARDEX GROUP said: “We are delighted to be involved in Open Doors this year and particularly excited to open our Academies in Stoke-on-Trent and Haverhill.

 “It is a great platform for us to showcase the amazing flooring, tiling and general construction trades, and show how we support and help train the tradespeople of tomorrow through our Academies.

“It will also be a great opportunity to showcase our refurbished facilities in Stoke – with new training bays, a dedicated studio and better facilities for training.

“We look forward to welcoming colleges and anybody else looking to get into flooring or tiling.”

Suzannah Nichol, Build UK Chief Executive, said:

“Many young people don’t know what they want to do when they leave school, so we have a fantastic opportunity to capture their imagination and show them just what they can achieve – whether they are considering college, an apprenticeship, or university.

“Open Doors also encourages career changers and members of the public to experience a construction project or construction industry in their local community. We all know the impact this can have and the powerful first impression it can make.”

To find out more about Open Doors 2025 and book a visit to a site, please go to: opendoors.construction

or https://ardexacademy.uk/

BAL products have been used for the exclusive launch of the Minoli 2025 launch series, Marvel DIVA, at Home House private members club, in Portman Square, London W1.

This involved the refurbishment of the guest rest-rooms at House 21, in which Minoli hosted their annual Minoli 2025 Preview event, on Thursday 5^th December.

BAL have supplied Minoli with specialist tile fixing products since the mid-1960s, when they first entered the tile distribution sector.

Minoli are now regarded as one the UK’s leading importers and distributors of Italian porcelain and ceramic floor and wall tiles, large format slabs, mosaics, décor prices, and outdoor porcelain pavers.

Minoli is headquartered in Oxford, the location of their sizeable warehouse and distribution centre and they also have a showroom in central London and an established and growing export business, supplying property developers and automotive retailers internationally.

BAL works closely with a number of partners such as Minoli to deliver great service and support for tile fixers, contractors and professional specifiers – helping to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Along with the tiles that Minoli provided for the Home House project, BAL supplied the required levelling compound, adhesive, grout, primer and polymer additive, specifically to ensure the secure fixing of the expansive format porcelain slabs of 120/278 dimensions.

Specific products used included BAL Level Max High Performance, all-in-one Leveller with Fibre Strand Technology (FST), BAL CTF4 Tile Adhesive for Walls & Floors with BAL AD1 polymer additive, and BAL APD Primer. In addition, BAL Micromax3 ECO high performance grout was used throughout the club.

In the Ladies ‘powder room’, the floor has been finished in generously sized 60/120 tiles from the Marvel DIVA Collection, in the Taj Mahal design with a meticulously matt finish. This colourway has seductive, smoky shades intermingled with paler cream and white features. With a complementary tone, BAL Micromax 3 ECO in the Gunmetal finish was the ideal choice of grout for this area, to withstand both foot traffic (no shortage of heels) and frequent cleaning, keeping Home House immaculate.

To the walls of the Ladies in the DIVA Galaxy colourway expansive, large format porcelain slabs have been installed in impressive 120/278 dimensions, delivering a near seamless surface. In this design, hints of blue and green combine behind starbursts of bronze to create a luxurious lustre in its highly polished finish. In this instance we chose BAL Micromax 3 ECO in the Smoke shade to work in harmony with the Galaxy design, creating clean and coordinated lines.

In the Gents facilities, the floor has again been fitted with the same 60/120 tiles in the DIVA Taj Mahal design, but in here the walls clad in 120/278 porcelain slabs of Marvel DIVA Baobab. With a stormy black and grey background, riven with golden veining and turquoise inclusions, Baobab is exclusively available in a polished finish, to enhance the realism of their Labradorite-like design. Here, BAL Micromax 3 in Anthracite helped create a near-seamless surface across these full-height slabs.

Our sincere thanks to Jonathon Minoli, Managing Director at Minoli, for choosing BAL products over many years and for recommending our adhesives, grouts and sealants to their extensive client base.

ARDEX Group have won a prestigious award for Best Marketing Campaign for the launch of GivBax Rewards at the inaugural BASA Awards (British Association of Sealants and Adhesives).

BASA is the voice of the entire adhesives and sealants industries in the UK, through the provision of legislative guidance, best practice and support services for its members which include ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives.

The Awards Gala took place on Friday (22^nd November) at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, with a judging panel consisting of a team of senior industry professionals, a representative from the sponsor and a past BASA chair.

ARDEX won Best Marketing for the high-impact omni-channel approach to the launch of GivBax Rewards. GivBax was launched as a “stand-alone” brand – similar to other App-based loyalty programmes such as

It utilised a colourful and highly visually geometric theme – focusing on the core benefits of the App – whereby you can get Cash directly into your hand, simply by scanning any ARDEX or BAL product receipt.

David Hackett, Managing Director at ARDEX Group UK, said: “Congratulations to the whole marketing team and everyone who helped launch GivBax Rewards.

“GivBax Rewards is a truly innovative loyalty scheme that offers end-users an instant and fully visible in-App programme.

“Since launch, thousands of members have joined the Loyalty App, redeeming cash or merchandise rewards, purely by purchasing BAL or ARDEX products.

“This award is testament to all the hard of everyone over the last 12 to 18 months, setting up and supporting the scheme which has made a real difference in the industry.”

As well as Best Marketing Campaign, ARDEX Group UK were also shortlisted for Best Product Packaging for BAL Micromax3 ECO Grout, Environmental and Sustainability Initiative for Building Tomorrow with the ARDEX Group, Best Innovation for GivBax Rewards and Manufacturer of the Year.

The ARDEX Group UK – a market-leading manufacturer and supplier of specialist building materials for flooring and tiling industry – has been shortlisted in 5 categories at the first-ever BASA Awards (British Association of Sealants and Adhesives).

BASA is the voice of the entire adhesives and sealants industries in the UK, through the provision of legislative guidance, best practice and support services for its members which include ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives.

The Awards Gala is taking place on 22^nd November at East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, with the judging panel consisting of a team of senior industry professionals, a representative from the sponsor and a past BASA chair.

The ARDEX Group UK has been shortlisted for the following categories:

• Best Product Packaging for BAL Micromax3 ECO Grout

BAL Micromax3 ECO is designed in high-impact, retail-aesthetic packaging which shows the true colour of the grout through transparent bags. This allows retail customers and end-users to see the actual colour of the grout and also how – unlike competitor’s products – pigmented fillers are fully “locked” into the grout mix. As well as being visually appealing with a high on-shelf impact  – promoted also on branded bespoke stands – the product packaging is 100% recyclable.

• Environment & Sustainability Initiative for Building Tomorrow with the ARDEX Group

The ARDEX Group’s “Building Tomorrow” programme is a series of initiatives designed to reduce the company’s CO2 emissions with a goal of being fully Carbon Neutral by 2045 and being Carbon Neutral for Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030. The Group has a core objective to reduce its impact on the environment in an evolving market-place through sustainable sourcing of materials, recycling, and waste reduction.

• Innovation for GivBax Rewards loyalty app

GivBax Rewards is the first loyalty program in the whole adhesives and sealants industry to offer end-users an instant and fully visible in-App program. Since launch, nearly 3,000 members have joined the Loyalty App, redeeming close to £150,000 in cash or merchandise rewards, purely by purchasing BAL or ARDEX products.

• Manufacturer of the Year – ARDEX Group UK

ARDEX Group UK have been shortlisted for its new product development pipeline, research and development, sustainability, training, support and service innovations. Throughout the last year, it has introduced a number of new initiatives in these areas including innovative new products such as BAL Micromax3 ECO and ARDITEX CL Plus, plus leading sustainability initiatives such as the installation of solar panels on its manufacturing plants, and the extended use of recycled raw materials as it works towards Carbon Neutrality by 2045.

• Marketing Campaign for the GivBax Rewards launch

The ARDEX Group UK have been shortlisted for their high-impact omni-channel marketing campaign launching GivBax Rewards. ARDEX decided to launch GivBax Rewards as a “stand-alone” brand – similar to other App-based loyalty programmes such as Nectar or ClubCard. It utilised a colourful and highly visually geometric theme – focusing on the core benefits of the App – whereby you can get Cash directly into your hand, simply by scanning any ARDEX or BAL product receipt.

David Hackett, Managing Director at ARDEX Group UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be shortlisted in five categories for the inaugural BASA Awards.

“BASA acts as a neutral voice for the whole adhesives and sealants industry and is trusted to provide industry representation to government as well as campaigning on industry standards and involvement in British, European and International Standards.

“Being shortlisted for these awards is no mean feat and is testament to the brilliant work of everyone at ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd over the last 12 months and longer.

“Staff in all departments have worked tirelessly to deliver key projects which have been recognised by these awards shortlisting.”

The ARDEX Group UK has commissioned more than 1600 solar panels at its manufacturing facilities in Stoke-on-Trent and Haverhill.

The high-performance photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed on warehousing and manufacturing units at both sites and will generate approximately 30% of the ARDEX Group UK’s electrical power requirements.

The installation of solar panels is part of a global sustainability initiative in which the company is investing around 3 million euros globally.

Installation of 1332 panels were completed at ARDEX UK in Haverhill in September last year and since commissioning, more than 269,686 kWh of solar energy has been produced – equivalent to the consumption of 100 houses.

A more modest 334 panels were installed at the Group’s Stoke-on-Trent facility – Building Adhesives Ltd in Trentham – with commissioning completing in March this year. This is due to limitations for more panels from the local grid, however plans remain to invest in more panels at Building Adhesives Ltd once the local grid has been updated and allows this to be done.

Since March 50,080 kWh of electricity has been produced – which is the equivalent of taking 9,814.4 kg CO2 out of the atmosphere or planting 594 trees. It meets 14% of total energy needs at Building Adhesives.

David Hackett, Managing Director of the ARDEX Group UK, said: “The installation of solar panels at our two UK manufacturing plants is an important part of our overall commitment to improve our sustainability performance in the UK.

“This has included ensuring our electricity is generated by renewable sources, increasingly adopting LED lighting throughout the facilities (100% completion in 2023), using battery-powered FLT’s (100% completion in 2023) and maximising the use of post-consumer waste in our packaging.

“We continue to look for sustainable solutions to meet our business requirements as we aim to be Carbon Neutral for our Scope-1 & 2 impacts by 2030.

“In addition, the installation of the panels makes us a bit more independent from current energy prices and possible energy shortages.”

BAL have launched a new innovative “Grout-Effect Sealant” for seamless transitions.

BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant is formulated with a unique technology which provides a textured, matt-finish that blends perfectly with your grout – no more shiny, stand-out high gloss sealant!

Colour-matched to BAL Micromax3 ECO Grouts, it provides a uniform finish in colour AND texture, across all joints; whether they are grouted tile joints, sealed perimeter joints, movement joints or internal corners.

BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant is waterproof with excellent adhesion and is perfect for sealing between tiles and other materials including sanitary, acrylic, fibreglass, glass, glazed tiles, porcelain and painted surfaces in dry and wet interior and exterior environments.

It can even be used in high-traffic areas and is also perfect for external tiling installations for example when sealing between 20cm porcelain tiles and drain grates.

BAL Grout-Effect Sealant is also formulated with long-lasting Microban® antimicrobial protection against black mould – which provides market-leading protection for hygiene areas when subject to the usual cleaning regimes.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, said the innovation was something that the industry had been calling out for, particularly for soft movement joints.

“When it comes to soft movement joints and perimeter joints, customers have only had the sealant option of traditional silicone sealant products that all provide a very shiny and glossy finish, which stands out against the grout joints,” he said.

“Our new technology will allow tiling projects to have a sealant solution that meets British Standards for movement and perimeter joints and looks like the adjoining grout joint for a seamless effect across the tiled area.

“The grout-effect sealant can be used on all floors and walls and is a unique technology to provide a seamless matt finish that is colour matched to our Micromax3 ECO Grout range.”

BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant will be available from BAL stockists, with a total of25 contrasting or complementary colour tones, providing a seamless colour-matched grout and sealant solution for every tile colour or type.

For more information on BAL Micromax Grout-Effect Sealant visit: https://www.bal-adhesives.com/products/bal-micromax-grout-effect-sealant/

A 25,000-mile fundraising challenge raising money for the Dougie Mac is reaching the finish line – with fundraisers calling on people to support them for one Last Mile!

Since last year, colleagues from Building Adhesives Ltd in Trentham have been taking part in “Journey Around The Worrall”, in memory of a colleague who passed away from cancer, by walking, running, swimming, cycling or even rowing to complete 25,000 miles; equivalent to travelling around the world across the equator.

The challenge is being completed in remembrance of Avrill Worrall – a key member of the R&D and Quality team and indeed wider company for Building Adhesives Ltd / ARDEX UK more than 21 years who is sadly missed by her many friends and colleagues at the company.

Joe Myatt-Winterton, QC Controller, decided to organise a fundraising challenge in aid of Douglas Macmillan hospice – the Worrall family’s nominated charity who did so much to support Avril during her fight.

On Tuesday 21^st May – which also happens to be Avril’s birthday – the team are completing the challenge at Longton Park and are inviting supporters to join them for one last mile.

The Sponsored Walk will start at 1pm, with each participant invited to donate £2 to boost the fundraising pot which currently stands at £1100.

Joe said: “We are approaching the finish line of our 25,000 mile challenge in memory of Avril and to mark this great milestone we’d love everyone to join us for a finale walk around Longton Park on the Tuesday 21st May, which was Avril’s birthday.

“While it has been extremely challenging, it’s also brought us closer together as a team as well as providing happiness and support to each other – something that Avril always did for those around her.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the challenge so far, and it would be great to see as many people as possible for one last mile!”

The team – which has included colleagues and their friends and family – have reached the milestone by completing numerous challenges such as running the Potter’s ‘Arf, cycling the Manifold Trail, and walking the Roaches as well as lots of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and even a bit of pedalo peddling!

To help boost the fundraising pot, all donations are welcome at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/journeyaroundtheworral

GivBax Rewards – the new loyalty programme from the ARDEX Group UK – has been named as a finalist for a prestigious international award.

The programme – designed for users of BAL or ARDEX products – has made the shortlist in the Best B2B category at the International Loyalty Awards.

ARDEX Group UK is up against global giants including Budweiser, Ferrero and ExxonMobil which is already proving testament to the success to date of GivBax Rewards and recognition of such a leading programme.

The International Loyalty Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and best practice in the loyalty industry from across the world. This iconic contest celebrates the loyalty industry’s most exceptional projects on a global scale. Testament to the longevity of the awards, is the high esteem in which they are held across the world and the exceptionally high standards adhered to.

All categories are judged by an influential and respected judging panel, which comprises over 25 loyalty experts working in all markets and sectors. They have a wealth of experience working in loyalty and know what it takes to shine and succeed in our ever-changing competitive world. The judging is robust, credible and transparent including shortlisting, pre-scoring and a judging session over three days when the panel discusses each entry in detail to select the winners.

GivBax Rewards has been recognised in this global shortlist due to both the ease-of-use member benefits provided by innovative receipt-scanning technology and cash reward redemption via ATMs, together with its success to benefit so many ARDEX and BAL customers in just 6 months.

Within 6 months of launch 8.8% of ARDEX Group UK sales have been logged within the program, with a 73% member engagement rate.

For the first time ever, the public will also be able to vote for their favourite loyalty programme in a new category – “The 2024 International Loyalty Programme of the Year – As Voted by the Public.” This will be open to all finalists in every category.

Voting opens on 1^st March and runs until 31^st March, with the winners being announced in Dubai on April 24^th.

David Hackett, Managing Director at ARDEX Group UK, said: “Being named as a finalist for this prestigious award is a testament to the innovative forward-thinking nature of the ARDEX Group UK – where we are always looking at ways to add-value to our products and services.

“Despite only being 6 months old, GivBax Rewards has already seen more than 17% of our total customer base signing-up and using the programme, with tens of thousands of pounds worth of redemptions being made – that is cash back directly into the pockets of fixers and floor layers across the country. GivBax members have been blown away by the programme, which is shown by the numerous positive reviews submitted as part of the award entry.

Check out ARDEX and BAL’s social media accounts to find out how to vote for GivBax Rewards for  “The 2024 International Loyalty Programme of the Year – As Voted by the Public.”

To find out more about GivBax Rewards or to sign-up to the program visit: https://www.bal-adhesives.com/givbax/

Building Adhesives Ltd – the market-leader in full tiling solutions – have successfully completed a recertification audit for the ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) standard carried out by independent certification body BSI (British Standards Institution).

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It allows businesses to benchmark their current environmental performance and sets out ways to improve it.

The framework encompasses various aspects, from resource usage and waste management to energy use, transport planning, materials reuse and renewable energy generation. It also looks at how businesses are monitoring environmental performance and involving stakeholders in environmental commitments.

The audit process took place over 2 days and reconfirmed that Building Adhesives are meeting the standard which they first achieved in 2003.

Clare Brosnan, Safety and Systems Manager at Building Adhesives, said: “The audit reviewed the whole of the process and systems regarding environmental management, as well as investigating the businesses commitment to continual improvement.

“We did not receive any non-conformances and successfully retained our accreditation for a further 3 years. Thank you to all who supported and contributed to the process across numerous departments.

“We can now look forward to six monthly surveillance visits to ensure compliance with the standard.”

David Hackett, Managing Director added: “This recertification confirms our commitment to environmental management and sustainability.

“Sustainability is at the forefront of what we do, meeting industry standards through the product life cycle from raw materials sourcing, product manufacture and consumer use.

“Our environmental policies, integrated into every area of its business activities, now influence everything from product formulation to supplier selection. They are under continual review to ensure best practice implementation by all staff.

“As the long-established, acknowledged market leader – for tiling products, for technical support, for training – we aim to continue setting the tile industry standards in environmentally-conscious processes, procedures and policies.

“Comprehensive compliance with statutory legislation and Best Practice procedures, form an integral part of our activities. We believe it is our responsibility to contain and minimise the impact of our business operations on the Environment.”

Staff at Building Adhesives Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent have all mucked-in to construct an insect hotel just outside of the reception area of their HQ in Trentham.

“Buggingham Pallets” has been constructed out of six old wooden pallets filled with natural material such as leaves, twigs, bamboo cane, cardboard and more.

The hotel gives insects and other mini-beasts a place to shelter during the winter or periods of extreme weather. They can also use it to hide from predators or raise their young.

David Hackett, Managing Director at Building Adhesives Ltd and ARDEX UK, said: “The construction of the insect hotel is a small part of our concerted effort to improve the sustainability of our sites, and to make them more biodiverse for us all to enjoy.

“It was especially encouraging to see many people from various parts of the business “muck in” and contribute to the site voluntarily.

“We hope this will go a small way to improving our site for nature and be a symbol for what we hope to continue to achieve in the future.

“Special thanks to Research Chemist Angela Starling and Joe Myatt-Winterton, QC Controller who organised the project and all those who helped with its construction.”

Improvements to biodiversity at Building Adhesives and ARDEX UK form a key part of the ARDEX Group UK sustainability objectives.

The group, through its UK brands including BAL and ARDEX, has a core objective to reduce its impact on the environment in an evolving market-place through sustainable sourcing of materials, recycling, and waste reduction.

Ultimately, the group’s aim is to be Carbon Neutral by 2040 through a series of initiatives (Carbon Neutral for Scope-1 & 2 by 2030).

A number of initiatives have already been introduced including; energy efficient LED lighting installed in all warehouses, installation of solar panels for electricity generations, phasing out diesel forklifts for a full EV fleet, increasing the use of recycled raw materials, reducing lifetime build costs due to longer guaranteed product lifetimes and reducing the use of “virgin” plastic in its products through the use of PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) plastics.

In addition to its in-house sustainability program, the UK group also supports external environmental groups with BAL’s charitable partnership with Cool Earth – a charity which works alongside rainforest communities to halt deforestation and its impacts on climate change.

After more than 20 years with ARDEX and over 10 years with BAL, Peter Bell, Managing Director, is passing on the baton to his deputy, David Hackett.

Peter has enjoyed a stellar career with the ARDEX Group underpinned by his leadership of ARDEX and BAL, two highly successful, market-leading UK businesses.  Testament to his commitment and legacy, Peter also holds a group steering position as an ARDEX Global Management Committee member as well as roles on various group boards, including India, Ireland, and the Middle East.  He will retain these roles until the end of 2023.

As from 1^st July 2023, David Hackett will take on the position of UK Managing Director.

Born in Sydney Australia, David’s career with the ARDEX Group began after the acquisition of Australian Building Adhesives (ABA) along with its sister company Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) in 2001.

Moving to Europe in 2007, David completed MBA studies in international business throughout several countries including Russia, United States, China, India, Romania, and Austria.

David’s career path took him to ARDEX Head Office in Germany where he took on Corporate Unit responsibility of Global Marketing for the ARDEX Group.  Working on global brand strategy and the introduction of the ARDEX Academy concept around the world were highlights of this time.

In 2011, David’s next challenge saw him move to BAL in Stoke-on-Trent where he took on the role of Sales & Marketing Director.  “Customer First”, innovation and product development are central to David’s business ethos and the success of BAL Micromax 2 , BAL White Star Plus, BAL Rapid-Flex One and BAL Level Max are testimony to his efforts.

In 2016, David became General Manager at Building Adhesives, overseeing all functions in the Stoke business.  Alongside his peers in the UK Leadership Team, David has successfully steered the BAL ship for the last six years.  The alignment of the ARDEX and BAL Commercial Teams in 2021 has paved the way for a more potent market reach model, and further consolidates the UK management “One-Team” approach.

As commented by Peter Bell: “David’s promotion to UK Managing Director is a great example of how the ARDEX group opens development pathways for its key people.  It also demonstrates how we promote from within, and how we encourage people to take on international assignments to open up career progression opportunities.

“As part of passing the baton to David, we expect our UK businesses to continue to thrive under his leadership. His commitment to our people, our customers and our strategic vision make him a great choice to lead our talented team into the future. I am confident that ARDEX & BAL will continue to succeed and achieve new milestones under his leadership.”

According to David: “ARDEX and BAL’s strategic focus areas are strongly aligned to our core values and include a focus on developing our people, accelerating our digital capabilities, the innovative & sustainable solutions we provide customers, and maintaining our customer-centric approach. This is about listening to our customers’ needs and improving the products & services we provide, based on their feedback.”

David continued: “I am excited and honoured to be stepping into the role of Managing Director and look forward to building on Peter’s impressive legacy.  ARDEX UK & BAL have a fantastic culture, a tremendous team, and an unparalleled enthusiasm for making a difference.  We do this through outstanding products, expert advice and excellent customer service.”

David Hackett’s appointment as Managing Director represents a natural progression in his career.  He brings a wealth of experience including tile retailing in Australia, Corporate marketing roles in Germany and manufacturing expertise in the UK along with Board member responsibilities with the UK Tile Association (TTA).  Add to this his dedication to firm growth by delivering on the ARDEX and BAL commitment to its people, customers, and community.

Peter Bell will continue with his ARDEX Group responsibilities throughout the remainder of 2023.

Colleagues at Stoke-on-Trent building products manufacturer Building Adhesives Ltd (part of ARDEX Group), are taking on a mammoth 25,000-mile charity challenge for the Dougie Mac in memory of a former team member who sadly passed away from cancer.

Following the passing of Avril Worrall, the team at Building Adhesives wanted to do something to make a difference and bring people closer together in her memory.

Avril was a key member of the Building Adhesives and ARDEX Group R&D and Quality team over 21 years and is sadly missed by her many friends and colleagues at the company.

Joe Myatt-Winterton, QC Controller, decided to organise a fundraising challenge in aid of Douglas Macmillan hospice – the Worrall family’s nominated charity who did so much to support Avril during her fight.

From February, people at the company have been encouraged to “Journey Around The Worrall”, a play on the word world – by walking, running, swimming, cycling or even rowing to complete 25,000 miles; equivalent to travelling around the world across the equator!

Anyone can contribute to the distance goal with any physical activity that can be measured in distance.

Joe said: “This is an extremely difficult challenge, but is designed to be challenging to raise as much money as possible for Douglas Macmillan hospice, and to require that we all come together to contribute – doing events and walks in groups to remember Avril and to try and provide a little happiness and support to each other; something that Avril always did for those around her.”

Individual miles travelled are added to the grand total that currently stands at 8,878 miles, which is more than a third of the way through their target, and are being measured by all sorts of available apps; for example, strava, garmin, map my run, mapometer, etc.

So far a group of participants – colleagues and their friends and family – have reached just over one third of their target, completing challenges such as running the Potter’s ‘Arf, cycling the Manifold Trail, and walking the Roaches as well as lots of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and even a bit of pedalo peddling!

The team are eager for more people to join in and of course any donations are greatly appreciated by Dougie Mac and everyone taking part in the Journey Around The Worral. People can support the challenge and keep updated with progress by donating via the Just Giving Page
– https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/journeyaroundtheworral

The ARDEX Group UK achieved success on Friday night (May 12^th) at the annual Tile Association Awards held at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham with BAL XL Floor One adhesive taking home the “Highly Commended” award in the Best Innovation category.

ARDEX and BAL were also shortlisted for three other awards including Excellence in Marketing for the ARDEX Group UK’s multi-brand digital strategy, Best Domestic Project for Smith Hill House in Yorkshire, and Best Commercial Project (Large) for Knightsbridge Tube Station.

With half the judging process taking account of a public vote, this is a great endorsement of this brilliant product from fixers and contractors who have seen the benefit it has brought them when fixing large format floor tiles.

BAL have launched a new and improved flexible thick-bed tile adhesive for large format floor tiles.

Replacing BAL Pourable One on its range, BAL XL Floor One is a significant upgrade with XL-ent extended open time and XL-ent working time – taking some of the stress out of large format floor tiling.

Extended open and working times of the gel rheology of XL Floor One mean the adhesive remains wetter, smoother and creamier for longer – making for XL-ent workability.

BAL XL Floor One is easy to work with and apply and with an extended pot life of 90 minutes and open time of 60 minutes, fixers can confidently spread over larger areas for ease – have plenty of time to adjust tiles as they work – and ensure they have no product wasted by going off.

A true “overnighter”, BAL XL Floor One can be grouted in 6 hours, ensuring fast track project completion the next day.

Mixed with a reduced water content of just 4 litres per 20kg bag, BAL XL Floor One holds its high-gel shape when trowelled with ribs sitting proud even up to 25mm without any slumping – yet ribs will collapse easily when tiles are vibrated or twisted for solid bed coverage.

Crucially this means that back-buttering is not always required with flat backgrounds and tiles!

If needed, BAL XL Floor One can be built up to 25mm bed depth for levelling small areas or patch repair – while also making it perfect for uncalibrated natural stone where consistent bed depths can’t always be achieved.

With a flexible and strong bond, BAL XL Floor One is also suitable for laying BAL Rapid-Mat or BAL Flexbone VAried uncoupling mat when spread with a 4mm notched trowel.

External porcelain

Water and frost resistant, and with large bed-depths, BAL XL Floor One is BAL’s recommended tile adhesive for laying porcelain, ceramic or natural stone on external concrete beds.

Even on tampered concrete, BAL XL Floor One provides excellent coverage for 20mm porcelain pavers and other external tiles.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing, said: “After listening to our fixers and contractors, we have developed a new floor tile adhesive that provides better workability when tiling large format floor tiles and panels which are seemingly getting bigger year-on-year.

“The improved working and open times give fixers that bit longer to trowel, move, install and adjust large tiles and panels – without worrying that the adhesive may skin over on the floor or go off in the bucket. This may seem minimal – but in reality, this makes a huge difference within installations.

“BAL XL Floor One can be used up 25mm bed depths if necessary for small levelling or patch repair, while back-buttering is not always necessary either saving significant project time and costs.

“Smoother and creamier to use, contractors have praised the workability and usability of the product compared to other thick-bed floor adhesives – making for easier and quicker large format tiling.”

For more information on BAL XL Floor One visit www.bal-adhesives.com

Building Adhesives Ltd and ARDEX have celebrated award success at this year’s Tile Association Awards.

Held at The Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday (24^th June), this year’s awards were themed “Stronger Together”, and recognised the best of the best in the tiling industry.

Success began with David Wilson, UK Head of Standards and Specifications at ARDEX and Building Adhesives Ltd being presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 35 years’ service to the tiling industry.

Chosen by the TTA Board, this award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution on the growth, promotion, technical or training areas of the wall and floor tile industry during their career.

A respected and leading industry voice, David first joined Building Adhesives Ltd as an R&D Chemist. A member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, David sits on numerous industry bodies including BSI B539 Technical Committee, CEN (European) Standards TC 67 WG3 and the TTA Technical Committee and has been responsible for helping to formulate many of the British Standards that tilers and contractors work to today.

Commenting on his award, Steve Brooks, UK Technical Director, said: “Congratulations to David for winning the 2022 Lifetime achievement award. David has made a tremendous contribution to both the Company as well as to industry over many years and this well-deserved award reflects this. David’s in depth technical knowledge and input into many technical documents has been invaluable.”

Success continued for Building Adhesives and ARDEX with Stacey Livett, UK Head of Customer Service, being awarded “Employee of the Year”.

Stacey was recognised for successfully integrating customer service and order management teams at Stoke-on-Trent and Haverhill, while facing major raw materials shortages, COVID restrictions and force majeures.

Despite these challenging conditions, she has helped deliver record orders for customers as well as ensuring end-users are supported with technical and product enquiries now fed into the joint team.

Commenting on her award, Darren Carty, Finance and Customer Services Director, said: Congratulations to Stacey for winning 2022 Employee of the Year award, Stacey has made a huge difference in the company over the past years and most recently since being appointed UK Customer Service Manager, we appreciate all your dedicated work, and this award is well deserved. Congratulations to you!”

Finally, ARDEX and Building Adhesives tasted success with “Highly Commended” in the Best Domestic Category, for a Dream Pool Project in Staffordshire by Rob Faulkner and his team from Abstract Pools.

The stunning swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, massage room and changing rooms was completed using a full ARDEX fixing solution. The 590m2 project features a spectacular 3D feature wall with cut-in fountains, a metallic mosaic jacuzzi and changing rooms.

A very labour-intensive project, Rob carried out all the rendering, screed works, and installed the hand-built steam room, formed-experience showers, massage room and high-end changing room.

Peter Bell, Managing Director, said: “Congratulations to David and Stacey for their awards which are thoroughly deserved and a reflection of the huge amount of hard work, dedication and commitment to the company and the industry.

“We would also like to congratulate Rob for his award in the Best Domestic category. The Dream Pool project is a truly stunning example of the highest quality workmanship, and we’re delighted that he completed it with the backing of ARDEX products and on-site support.”

As well as winning three awards, Building Adhesives and ARDEX were also finalists in two others – Best Innovation for BAL Waterproof 1C, and Excellence in Marketing for BAL Grout consolidation.

Peter added: “With two of these awards being decided through a combination of a public vote and judging panel, to win is a significant achievement for everyone at both businesses, and an endorsement from customers and end-users in our products and personnel.”

-ENDS-

New look packaging for small powder products

To meet the demands of a changing market-place and provide leading solutions, BAL are excited to announce the launch of it’s new look small powders.

All powdered products 7.5kg and smaller are benefiting from a major investment into BAL’s manufacturing facilities in Stoke-on-Trent.

The new machinery is allowing BAL to move away from their current polybag packaging to new high-impact retail-friendly bags.

New packaging designs will maintain the core look of current products for easy transition and instant product recognition.

The most notable change is with BAL’s Micromax2 range of anti-microbial wall and floor grouts – where the design and style have been improved providing a number of benefits for end-user and stockist including:

• Clearly colour identity including clear circular design element to show the actual grout colour in the bag
• Cleaner front of bag design
• Circular element highlighting BAL Micromax2 has the colour locked-in to the formulation – there is no need to mix the full bag – as the pigments are fully blended for improved consistency every application.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said:

“This new machinery is major step forward for our small powders manufacturing capabilities.

“The new bags provide high impact showroom friendly designs for stockists, plus easier product selection for end-users.

“The most visible change is with our Micromax2 product – where a new, fresh design really showcases it’s locked-in colour consistency and a clearer colour identity.”

“All products produced at Stoke-on-Trent 7.5kg and under will benefit from the new packaging – and with the new great look, the bags still contain the same great products – with no formulations changing with the introduction of the new packaging.”

He added that the new investment would also help the company to pursue its sustainable manufacturing goals

“The new machinery also allows us to use paper, plastic or PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic packaging to ensure they continue to source the most sustainable packaging as part of our continued Sustainable Strategy.”

BAL’s new small powders will begin to hit the market this month (May) following through-sales of the old packaging.

Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) and ARDEX UK, part of the global ARDEX Group, specialist manufacturers of construction materials for the tiling, flooring and general construction trade, have both achieved ISO 14064:1 (otherwise known as CEMARS) for the quantifying and reporting of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and removals.

Building Adhesives and ARDEX UK are the first companies in the ARDEX Group to achieve this standard and are believed to be the first companies in the tiling and flooring sectors to be reporting their GHG emissions through this internationally recognized standard.

This standard will assist both companies by providing accurate data to assess the impact of the various initiatives to be adopted in their efforts to deliver ambitious Carbon Neutral plans by 2030 (scope 1 and 2).

To achieve this internationally recognized standard, BAL and ARDEX UK worked with Achilles (an independent consultancy) to accurately measure their GHG emissions and create positive strategies to manage and continually reduce impacts.

Achilles’ Carbon Reduce (powered by Toitu) scheme highlights the necessary data required which is then measured, monitored and calculated under the ISO 14064:1,scheme. Following successful completion and assessment, executive reports are produced for independent verification.

Solutions to manage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at source were then provided, with external impartial auditors authorised to verify GHG inventories in accordance with the standard’s requirements.

David Shepherd, UK Operations Director and Corporate Lead on Supply Chain & Operations, said achieving ISO 14064:1 certification puts both companies on the path to Carbon Neutral Status by 2030 (scope 1&2).

“Against the backdrop of COP26 in Glasgow, we are all know the consequences on the planet of failing to reduce our carbon emissions.

“Every company in every sector of industry has a responsibility to reduce emissions with a goal of being carbon neutral. However, before you can act, you must be able to understand those emissions.

“Measuring GHG emissions under ISO 14064-1 including company vehicles, business travel, fuel and electricity, water and waste, helps us accurately identify areas of the business where we can reduce our emissions.”

Even before achieving ISO 14064:1, BAL and ARDEX UK have put in place several measures to reduce their carbon footprint including:

• Converting diesel forklifts to electric
• Partnering with a 100% renewable energy provider
• Replacement of energy inefficient lighting with more efficient LED systems
• Promoting the use of electric company vehicles and installation of EV charging points
• Reducing the use of “virgin” plastics
• Increasing the use of recycled raw materials

Witten, 21 September 2021. Ardex continues to grow: the Witten-based construction chemicals specialist is taking up a majority shareholding in wedi GmbH, a leading manufacturer of system solutions for high-quality wet room solutions domiciled in Emsdetten – it is the largest acquisition in the company’s history. The employees of both family-run companies have already been informed of the development. In this respect, the management made it clear that wedi will continue to operate independently. In addition, Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin will remain in place as the manging directors of wedi. Stephan Wedi will also continue in his shareholder role.

For Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of the Ardex Group, this cooperation is a milestone in the development of the company – and his delight at the future collaboration with wedi is correspondingly great. “The Ardex Group is taking a major step forward with the acquisition of the market leader for watertight shower and construction systems. There could be no better way to enhance our systems competence – Ardex and wedi are two strong brands which complement one another in an ideal manner. As family-run companies, we also share a common understanding of the importance of customer proximity, innovation and quality. All in all it is the perfect basis for a successful cooperation.”

The managing directors of wedi, Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin, also regard the cooperation as tremendously beneficial for the two companies. Above all the international Ardex network and the complementary strengths in the product areas were an important factor for wedi in reaching its decision. “Ardex is a perfect growth accelerator for us – one only has to think of the many global markets and the joint innovation potential. It was of tremendous importance to us that we find a partner with whom we can safeguard our independence and contribute our strengths to ensure joint growth. To this, we will also implement the already planned capacity expansions together with Ardex. The matter is one very close to my heart, and from the very outset my gut feeling about Ardex was extremely positive,” says Stephan Wedi.

wedi is already very successful in Europe, and in particular in Germany and France, and it is the market leader in North America – since 2017 with its own factory in Batavia, Illinois. The objective of the cooperation with the other companies in the Ardex Group is that of developing this position. “wedi and Ardex complement one another excellently, not just in Germany, but also in other core markets such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand, France, England, Austria, Switzerland or Benelux. The innovative strength of the Ardex Group is enormous, and as a result, we expect to make considerable advances,” adds Fabian Rechlin. “Our partners in the trade have long been encouraging us to take a major step forward. We are doing so now.”

Independent family-owned companies

Furthermore, for both companies it is important that they retain their independence in full. In the future wedi will be a stand-alone company within the Ardex Group – headed by its current managing directors Stephan Wedi and Fabian Rechlin. The trading name, location, brand name and marketing strategy will not change either. The same is true of the contact persons for clients and suppliers.

Inventor of watertight shower and construction systems

wedi is the market leader for watertight shower and construction systems in Europe and North America. The success story began in 1983 with the invention of a totally watertight building board – to this day the board with the blue core is still the company’s trademark. What began as a one-man operation in his garage at home is now an international company with more than 500 employees and a further production site in the USA.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the economic terms of the cooperation. Metzler Corporate Finance exclusively supported wedi in the transaction as M&A advisor.

About Ardex

Ardex GmbH is one of the global market leaders for high-performance specialty building materials. As a family-owned business, the company has pursued a sustainable growth path for more than 70 years. The Ardex Group now employs more than 3,900 staff and is present in more than 100 countries on all continents, with a virtually comprehensive presence in one of its core markets, Europe. With more than ten major brands, Ardex generates total sales of more than 930 million euros worldwide.

About wedi

wedi GmbH, based in Emsdetten, is a leading manufacturer of and systems provider for directly tileable, watertight construction elements in Europe and North America. The extensive portfolio is complemented by high-quality design surfaces which provide additional design options in the bathroom. With its innovative system solutions and guaranteed system reliability, wedi offers long-lasting, complete solutions for wet rooms. The family company, founded in 1983 by Helmut Wedi, currently employs around 500 members of staff and is active in more than 50 countries.

BAL have launched a new one-coat waterproofing solution for bathrooms, wetrooms and showers prior to tiling.

Available now, BAL Waterproof 1C is a ready-mixed tanking solution that can be used without priming on most common substrates* and is ready to tile after only two hours!

Formulated with fibre-strand technology for improved strength, it can be applied in one-coat on walls and floors with a brush, roller or 4mm notched trowel.

No additional tapes or matting are needed as it is crack-bridging from 2-3mm.

This innovative new product is lightweight with easy-to-apply rheology and provides excellent coverage of up to 6m² – making it suitable for domestic shower rooms, bathrooms or wetrooms.

BAL Waterproof 1C also has sustainable benefits with Low VOC and using 40% recycled materials.

As part of the launch, BAL is streamlining its current waterproofing solution by deleting BAL WP1 / BAL Waterproofing Kit – and old technology that will be replaced by the higher performing Waterproof 1C.

Continuing in the product range will be BAL Tank-it – a quicker setting 2-part powder and liquid product that can be tiled in only 90 minutes.

BAL Tank-it can also be used for large scale commercial projects and external waterproofing such as balconies and terraces.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing said: “BAL Waterproof 1C is a significant waterproofing innovation, greatly improving the performance of our former ready-mixed tanking solutions.

“In most instances, with no tapes or priming required, and being applied as a one-coat solution, BAL Waterproof 1C provides an easy waterproofing solution to ensure tiled wet areas are compliant with British Standards.”

“The latest British Standards clearly state the importance of waterproofing installations such as in BS 5385-1:2018, which states ‘In wet areas, e.g. showers, wet rooms and steam rooms, substrates should be protected with a suitable proprietary tanking membrane system’ and our new BAL Waterproof 1C provides the fastest and easiest solution to achieve this.”

“BAL Waterproof 1C applied as one coat with a minimum 0.8mm dry thickness – provides complete protection against water ingress, protecting backgrounds from water damage and erosion.”

Additional advice on waterproof tanking system requirements for domestic and commercial wet areas is also given in BS 5385 Part 4: 2015

* Priming is only required on plaster, cement boards and BAL Board on the tiling side. Where priming is required in these three instances, then prime all surfaces with one coat of neat BAL Primer 1C and allow to dry for 15-30minutes.

For more information visit https://www.bal-adhesives.com/products/bal-waterproof-1c/

BAL have been shortlisted as finalists in five categories for this year’s TTA Awards (The Tile Association).

In total, BAL have six submissions within five award categories as finalists – and now they are all open for a public vote to decide the winners!

The TTA Awards are the gold standard in the tiling industry, with the best-of-the-best recognized at a glitzy awards ceremony.

This year the Awards are being held at The Forest of Arden Marriot Hotel in Warwickshire on the 10^th September.

BAL have been named as finalists in a number of award categories including:

1. Best Innovation for BAL All Star – the unique, world-first ready-to-use adhesive for large format porcelain.

Vote – Best Innovation | TTA Awards

2. Excellence in Marketing for BAL’s Stay Positive, Back Stronger fixer engagement campaign during lockdown

Vote – Excellence in Marketing | TTA Awards

3. Best Heritage Project for Woodside Terrace, the restoration of a Grade 1 Victorian Townhouse in Glasgow by Heritage Tiling using BAL products which uncovered an original Maws of Broseley encaustic and geometric tiled floor from between 1862 and 1883.

Vote – Best Heritage Project | TTA Awards

4. Best Environmental Initiative for BAL’s Eight Pillar Commitment to Sustainability – this includes a number of initiatives including the switch to using PCR (post-consumer resin) recycled plastic bottles and buckets.
   Vote – Best Environmental Initiative | TTA Awards

5. Employee of the Year finalists of both Paul Vickers, Head of Contracts and Procurement and Steve Davies, Head of Training for their tremendous work through the Pandemic, Brexit and other obstacles respectively.
   Vote – Employee of the Year | TTA Awards

Peter Bell, Managing Director at BAL said: “To be nominated in five categories at the TTA Awards is a superb recognition of the outstanding work of everyone at BAL throughout the past 18 months.

“Staff in all departments have worked tirelessly through what have been difficult circumstances for everyone, and these award nominations are a testament to that.

“Now we’re hoping for the support of our fixers, friends and partners throughout the tiling industry in the voting process, to help our entries win on the night!”

The ARDEX Group is a global is leading solution and service provider of innovative building systems, with 55 subsidiaries and 3,450 employees in over 100 countries on all continents.

As part of the ARDEX Group of companies within the UK, both ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) businesses are quite rightly very proud of their history and their own distinct cultures and it is this heritage we have been building on, to progressively develop one culture, with one mindset, with everyone acting as one team and sharing one vision.

At the beginning of 2021, ARDEX UK and Building Adhesives Limited (BAL) have moved ahead with the next phase of their “Stronger Together” strategy with a new leadership structure taking responsibility for the UK Commercial teams.

Reporting into David Hackett, General Manager – Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL), David Lyman, formerly BAL Sales & Marketing Director will take on the new role of UK Commercial Director with responsibility for the key functional areas of Tiling, Flooring and the Home Improvement Channel (HIC).

UK Marketing and Training will also report into David Lyman.  Andy Reid, formerly ARDEX Business Development Director takes on the recently formed role of UK Business Development Director overseeing major project specification selling across the UK for both ARDEX and BAL, also reporting into David Hackett.

Peter Bell remains as the Managing Director of both businesses and member of the ARDEX Group Global Management Committee.

As part of his pre-retirement plan until July 2021, Lee Kidd – ARDEX Sales & Marketing Director will provide support to the newly re-structured UK Commercial Team and support the business transformation with his vast experience of the respective markets.

The move consolidates the activities of all UK teams and more formally combines the forces of ARDEX and BAL for a stronger and more coordinated approach to the market.

A range of BAL tiling products are to feature in a new bathroom make-over show on Channel 5.

GSA Bathrooms were approached in October by PI Productions to feature in a new show: Kitchens and Bathrooms: You Won’t Believe Your Eyes, hosted by Mark Miller from DIY SOS fame.

A £23k bathroom renovation in Edinburgh, featuring a £10,000 hand-made bespoke Jacuzzi bath shipped over from Italy, was selected to be filmed as part of the program which will air later this year.

The full project took two months to complete due to COVID hold-ups, finally finishing in December last year. TV crews were on-site for 6 weeks.

As well as the £10k Jacuzzi bath, the project featured stunning 1200mm x 600mm Marble Wall Tiles and 600×600 Kingston Floor Tiles from CTD Tiles, plus Metro Carrara Tiles from Topps Tiles.

Mark Miller and Stewart Knox

The tiling was completed by KK Tiling Ltd from Edinburgh who used BAL Flex One – enhanced standard set tile adhesive for the wall tiling and BAL Rapid Flex One for the floor tiling. All the tiles were grouted with BAL Micromax2 Grout in Gunmetal.

The 1200x600mm Marble Wall Tiles were used to complete one wall of the bathroom and the Jacuzzi surrounds, where they were fixed with a mitre finish.

The back wall, window surrounds and niche were tiled using the Metro Carrara Tiles in an offset herringbone pattern which was a last-minute design change by KK Tiling.

Kevin Swinton from KK Tiling explained the design change and the pressures of tiling with a TV crew filming their every move.

“The original design focused on the 1200×600 Marble Wall tiles extending around the whole bathroom, but after some stock issues, we decided to create a feature wall using Metro Carrara Tiles in a offset herringbone pattern. It definitely creates a focal point in the room, and draws the eye.

“This project was definitely a different sort of pressure, knowing that your every move and everything you say was being recorded, but we got used to it after a couple of days. Probably the most stressful part of the whole project came down to the last tile to be cut – if it snapped the wrong way in the cutter we could have been in big trouble as we had no spares – luckily it went the right way for us!

Kevin has always been a big BAL user and chose BAL Flex One for the walls due to its versatility.

He added: “Flex One is a great product and gave us that little bit of leeway to build out, up to 15mm in isolated areas, which was particularly useful as some of the walls weren’t 100% flat in places and some of the wall tiles were slightly bowed in the middle.”

Stewart Knox from GSA Bathrooms said: “It was absolute privilege to have been asked to take part in this up and coming television project. Thanks to the customers – Billy and Tarek – who agreed to have their home over-run by tradesman and camera crew for six and our amazing team of trusted tradesman that go above and beyond week in week out to help us achieve these transformations.  It wasn’t just us, it was a collective effort.

“Special thanks to Kevin and Kyle Fee from KK Tiling who delivered a fantastic tiling project – the mitres on the bath panels are stunning – and constantly came up with great ideas – such as the herringbone wall.

“It’s been some journey for us all, but one we all chipped into and delivered too such a high specification once again, whilst being filmed throughout the entire process.”

Project Name:

Domestic Bathroom Renovation

Location:

Edinburgh

Description:

£23,000 bathroom renovation project

BAL products used:

ADHESIVE: BAL Rapid-Flex One (floors), BAL Flex One (walls)

GROUT: Micromax2

Tiles:

1200mm x 600mm Marble wall tiles

600m x 60cm Kingston floor tiles – CTD Tiles

200x100mm Metro Carrara Tiles – Topps Tiles

Project Partners:

MAIN CONTRACTOR: GSA Bathrooms – Stewart Knox and Alex Chapman

TILING CONTRACTOR:  KK Tiling Limited – Kevin Swinton and Kyle Fee

MATERIALS: CTD Tiles Edinburgh, Topps Tiles Edinburgh

BAL – the market-leaders in full tiling solutions – have launched a streamlined grout family including new BAL Grout Flex – a highly flexible grout with high strength and coming in five key colourways – packing a punch with a reliable finish.

It comes in narrow or wide joint versions – Grout Flex and Grout Flex Wide Joint – for use from 2-5mm (narrow) and 3mm to 20mm (wide) joints.

Easy to apply and mix up with colour consistency whatever the size of mix, it provides a smooth finish.

BAL Grout Flex is available in 5kg and 10kg bags in White, Jasmine, Light Grey, Mid Grey and Dark Grey – with colour consistency in both narrow and wide joint versions. These have been identified as some of the most popular grout colours on the market and ensures that Grout Flex is suitable for a whole host of tiling designs and projects.

With more than 2 hours pot life, BAL Grout Flex gives fixers more time to grout up without worrying that the grout will go off in the bucket – even in hotter conditions – and means larger areas can be grouted with one mix.

A 24-hour set time means longer time to wash off.

As a flexible grout with a high polymer content, BAL Grout Flex is recommended for hard-water swimming pools, power showers and for use with porcelain, ceramics, marble, and natural stone in dry or wet environments.  It can also be used for highly trafficked areas such as shopping malls, changing rooms, restaurants, and leisure centres.

The introduction of BAL Grout Flex and Grout Flex Wide Joint means that BAL have deleted a number of grouts from the range including: BAL Superflex, BAL Superflex Wide Joint, BAL Microflex and the colours of BAL Grout (BAL Grout will still be available in white only).

Micromax2 – still best in class

With the streamlined range of BAL Grout Flex, still best in class and in a division above is BAL Micromax2 – the undisputed champion of the UK market.

Weighing in at 2.5kg, 5kg and 10kg pack sizes, BAL Micromax2 provides a perfect smooth finish on walls and floors in more than 35 colourways.

Trusted for a crack-free, and efflorescence-free finish, BAL Micromax2 is also mould and mildew resistant with Microban anti-microbial protection.

Microban antimicrobial product protection is a built-in active ingredient that enables products to resist the growth of microbes such as bacteria, black mould, and mildew. Microban protection helps products stay cleaner, fresher, and last longer than products with untreated surfaces.

Micromax2 can be used from 1mm to 20mm joint widths and sets in two to three hours for fast track project completion. Abrasion resistant it can also be used in domestic and commercial projects including shopping mall, restaurants, changing rooms and leisure centres (not swimming pools).

BAL Micromax2 comes with the colour matched Micromax sealant range for a seamless finish.

A high-performance silicone sealant, Micromax is also formulated with Microban anti-microbial protection – ensuring clean sealant lines for years to come (with a regular cleaning programme).

Perfect for sealing movement joints in floor and wall tiling installations, it has a high adhesion strength, is waterproof and hygienic and is suitable for surfaces including acrylic, ceramic, fibreglass, glass, glazed and painted in dry or wet interior and exterior environments.

A knock-out finish

BAL’s new focused range of grouts provide peace of mind with a fantastic finish to any tiling project.

Perhaps you prefer separate narrow or wide-joint solutions – or one bag for all applications? Maybe you’re looking for a longer 2 hour working time or prefer a faster 30-minute working time and a fast track 2-3-hour set – we have the solutions.

Two champions to choose from, a knock-out finish from both.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, explained the change:

“Our new range of grouts provides a simplified choice for fixers, contractors, specifiers and distributors – a pound-for-pound prize fighter, or a top heavyweight champion so to speak!

“Grout Flex is a solid wall and floor grout with key colourways, whereas Micromax2 is a premium grout with an extensive colour pallet and added benefits such as  Microban and efflorescence-free formula.

“Two easy choices for any budget or project requirements.”

BAL – market leaders for tiling solutions in the UK – have continued to develop its sustainable business focus with the introduction of more 100% recycled plastic containers.

From material sourcing, through to product launch, the environment impacts remain a key focus within all BAL’s processes and environmental management.

As a result, the business continues to remove the use of single-use plastics and transition wherever possible to 100% recycled plastics across all their product ranges where plastic is still required.

This has already been introduced to BAL’s liquid category with new PCR recycled bottles (grey bottle colour, rather than white) and now notable with their ready-to-use range of adhesives.

A greener “Green Star”

In the coming weeks, BAL will also be moving to 100% recycled plastic buckets and lids for their popular Green Star range of ready-mixed tile adhesive for small ceramic wall tiles.

This change will then be rolled out across further products in the coming months.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing and Customer Services at BAL, said: “The new packaging can be easily identified as the lid is now dark grey rather than the original green, with the first 10,000 units in the market having a printed lid with the “made using 100% recycled plastic” communication visible.

“As well as the sustainability benefits from not using virgin plastics, there is also an increase in the level of performance of the new buckets. The bucket’s base strength has increased from 65kg to 125kg meaning the product is now more resilient than ever.”

The increase in strength also provides the future option of possible higher product stacking on pallets which would also reduce transportation carbon emissions per unit.

As well as the entire bucket and lid being made from 100% recycled plastic, the original plastic handle has been replaced with a metal one which is 100% recyclable, recoverable and more robust.

Alex added: “The change in packaging will not impact on supply of Green Star or on our customer’s current operations, but offers distributors, contractors and fixers a more sustainable product.”

For more information on the change please email balmarketing@building-adhesives.com

Position?

Area Sales Manager for London

How long have you worked at BAL?

2 years.

What 3 traits define you?

Honest, hardworking, team player.

What is one interesting fact about you that people would be surprised to learn?

I trained to be a chef (I didn’t choose a “tile life”, a “tile life” chose me).

Where is the best place you have travelled to and why?

This will have to be two places – kayaking the Norwegian fjords and a road trip around America’s Southwest. Both for their epic landscapes, they were very different but both equally amazing.

How do you define success?

Roof over my head and food on the table (pie and mash and liquor, naturally).

If you could learn anything new, what would it be?

To fly a helicopter.

What three words would you use to describe BAL?

Integrity, solutions, market leaders.

What is your favourite thing about working in the tiling business?

How the industry is ever changing, never a dull day.

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would it be?

Micky Flanagan, Billy Connolly and Ricky Gervais. What a great night that would be?!

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pie mash and liquor (food of the Gods) it’s an East End thing.

Launching this month (February), Belvedere Stone is part of the Lovell Stone Group, a family-owned company who own and operate 5 quarries in the UK.

The company has taken its significant knowledge and technical expertise and applied that to source stones from around the world.

Belvedere Stone offers a collection of excellent quality, hard-wearing and versatile stone products. Stones are sourced from historical areas around the world from the Tuscany region of Italy, to the mountains of North Western Vietnam. Each stone takes its name from the surrounding cultural landscape – from the Taishan Mountains of Southern China, to the ancient Egyptian palace complex of Malkata.

They offer a full NBS fixing, sealing and maintenance specification for all of their stones for contractors to follow; ensuring their stones are installed according to current British Standards and that all tenders for installation will be like-for-like.

In addition, Belvedere has partnered with BAL – the market leaders in the UK for full tiling solutions – who offer high quality fixing materials; adhesives, grouts, sealants etc, plus industry-leading technical support, RIBA-approved CPD seminars, NBS specifications and on-site project consultancy.

Using their experience in the specification sector, Belvedere compiled a shortlist of the best adhesive manufactures operating in the UK. They interviewed and scored each company on quality, technical competence and warranty to find the most professional company, with research providing a clear winner in BAL.

Speaking about the launch of the new brand, Simon Willmott, Technical Sales Manager at Lovell Stone Group said: “With decades of experience in the tile and stone industry both as an installer and latterly a specifier, I became disheartened with the influx of stone products on the market in the UK which did not comply with Building Regulations, British Standards and European regulations.

“I had visited too many projects in the UK where low quality stone, poor installation and maintenance systems had resulted in disappointment for the end user; creating a misconception that stone was a problematic and difficult material to work with.

“Over the last year, countless samples of stone have been sourced, tested and dismissed from all over the globe, leaving us with a very robust and unique collection of stones. We have applied the same rigorous testing methods to fixing and sealing materials, which allows us to offer a complete, warrantied specification for stone installation.”

On the partnership with BAL, he added: “Belvedere Stone’s world leading expertise in stone is matched by BAL’s world leading expertise in adhesives, allowing us to provide complete and robust NBS fixing specifications for Architects and contractors.

“Being able to provide one specification for complete installation eliminates any incompatibility between products, and by being involved in projects at the design and specification stage, we offer warrantied systems alongside reduced build ups, reduced build programmes and reduced budgets.

“Architects will benefit from our free NBS specification writing service, contractors will benefit by ensuring that specialist subcontractors are quoting on a like-for-like basis, and homeowners will benefit from BAL’s 25-year materials warranty.”

Allan Garland, Specification Manager at BAL said: “We are delighted to have entered into this partnership with Belvedere Stone to provide a one-stop solution for their natural stone tiling products.

“With both companies excelling in product innovation, technical excellence and customer service, BAL and Belvedere Stone are natural partners.  Our company values are clearly aligned, with the additional benefit of both being British companies.”

To find out more about Belvedere Stone and their range of stone products visit www.belvederestone.com.

A mosaic decorated life-sized Highland cow bench has raised £3,600 for the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance.

“Sweetie Annie” – designed by mosaic artist Katy Galbraith – was part of a Highland Cow art trail in the Perthshire town of Crieff.

Eleven of the Crieff cowches were placed around the Strathearn town by Crieff Succeeds this summer in an attempt to bring more tourists to the area.

The cowches were sold at a dinner event at the town’s Hydro for a total of £24,900.

Katy – who had lived in the town for 20 years – designed the cow around the theme of sugar mice as she was a sponsored by Gordon & Durward, a local sweet manufacturer and shop.

She worked primarily in recycled materials – including broken china and donated materials to keep costs down.

The project was particularly difficult due to the challenges involved with fixing due to the make-up of the cowch.

“Whilst I had been forewarned that the surface of the Cowch was textured, I hadn’t really realised just how textured it was – even the painters found it challenging,” she said.

“Every tile had to be cut down to fit the various curves. It was going to take longer than anticipated, so a call out to volunteers brought in friends and other mosaic artists to assist.  

“Many of the volunteers made a mouse using contact adhesive and mounting adhesive film as the transfer method.”

The mosaic was fixed with PU adhesive and grouted in BAL Micromax2 Pecan and Jade mixed with BAL Admix GT1 donated by Topps Tiles in Perth.

The stunning project took more than 260 hours over 30 days to complete, with a further 120 hours by volunteers.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, said: “This is a fantastic project which took phenomenal skill and patience to complete. We are delighted that our versatile grout was a key part of this installation.”

Nick Harvey, SCAA’s director of Fundraising and Communication, commenting on the auction said: “We’re really heartened and grateful to companies, groups and organisations everywhere for supporting our aeromedical retrieval service.

“Working with Crieff Succeeds to help fund vital emergency response care for those most in need across the whole of Scotland has been a fantastic and rewarding partnership.

“SCAA is the people’s helicopter, and having the support of so many is humbling, we can’t thank the community enough for their unwavering support of this life-saving service.”

Due to the success of its CPD programme, BAL are launching  nationwide tiling surgeries at architectural practices across the country.

These sessions offer architects, specifiers and design teams in-house technical support with tile and stone advice or a simple Q & A session on any aspect of tiled installations..

With more than 50 years’ heritage of providing specifications and technical support to architects, specifiers and contractors, BAL is well placed to ensure that tiling projects run smoothly from design stage to completion.

Stuart Ross, Head of Specifications at BAL, commented: “We have listened to the feedback and recognise the growing demand from architects and designers for opportunities  to focus on particular types of advice when it comes to current project work.”

“This might include focused topics such as British Standards for waterproofing or suitability of substrates.  Our team of experts are now going to be on hand for architects and specifiers to discuss tile and stone installations of all kinds outside of the learning environment and in the comfort of their practice”.

“This will run alongside our successful CPD programme whilst complementing some of the additional services we provide to specifiers”

BAL has a number of free tools available to architects and specifiers to assist them from project start to completion including M40 NBS Specifications and on-site project support.

Specifiers and architects can also take advantage of BAL’s free and dedicated Technical Advisory and Specification Service (TAS) for technical queries and Sample Testing Service to ensure the correct selection of tiles and fixing products during the specification process.

BAL can provide a solution for any background, environment or tile material and is trusted throughout the industry for its quality and lasting performance.

To book tiling surgery at your practice: https://www.bal-adhesives.com/specifiers/book-a-tiling-surgery/

For more information on BAL and their services for specifiers visit www.bal-adhesives.com/specifiers or call 01782 591120.

Colours have been used throughout history as an unspoken language understood by all humankind and are popularly connected to seasonality and to mood.

Detail makes all the difference on tiling projects, which is why BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – have introduced a range of new shades to the Micromax2 grout range that take influence from the natural environment and the changing seasons.

The 11 new shades take inspiration from the world around us and nature through changing seasons.

Four new Graphic Greys include: Storm Grey, Tornado Sky, Dovetail and Taupe Grey which are influenced by deep winter visions of dark and dramatic skies in every hue of grey.

Warm Woods; Walnut, Hazel and Mahogany evoke the rustic browns and earthen tones of Autumn.

Vivid Views featuring Primrose, Peppermint, Cornflower White and Pink Champagne evoke shades of greens, soft yellows and the natural light and vibrant splashes of Spring and Summer.

As urban design and nature collide and contrast, an ultra-modern vibe is guaranteed to delight the mind and senses and provide the perfect finish to any tiling project.

To find out more about these new colours, why not download our digital flipbook at https://mailchi.mp/building-adhesives.com/closer-to-nature

Unmatched Quality

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said: “Developed as a result of extensive R&D carried out in collaboration with tilers nationwide, BAL Micromax2 offers a combination of previously unseen properties to make it ideal for virtually any wall or floor installation.

“Its versatility removes the need for different grouts within a single installation: as BAL Micromax2 suits both the floors and the walls.

“The new colours offers fixers, homeowners and distributors alike a comprehensive suite of shades to complement or contrast with any tile type and tiling project.”

Superfine, consistent, strong, flexible, the world’s first genuinely universal grout, it can be used for grout joints as narrow as 1mm and as wide as 20mm with no slumping, shrinking and cracking.

Smooth, fine, consistent, versatile with in-built Microban anti-mould and anti-mildew protection, it sets within 2-3 hours for fast track tiling completion.

Now available in 20 striking shades to complement or contrast any tile or colour scheme, it also comes with a range of colour-matched silicone sealants (excluding Vivid Views).

Unlock potential for the materials used in your next tiling project to be just that touch closer to nature with BAL Micromax2.

Become a YOU+BAL partner  to be kept in the forefront with our new innovations and order a Grout Sample case today at www.bal-adhesives.com

BAL have helped an Uxbridge school celebrate their 150^th anniversary by providing fixing materials for a special tiled mural.

The large mural on the side of the school features a tree made up of handprints from every one of the 250 plus pupils and staff.

The mural was presented during an afternoon celebration with families of pupils old and new, plus the Deputy Mayor of Uxbridge who cut a special cake.

Site manager Gerry McGuire tiled the mural using BAL’s new Flex One enhanced S1 standard set adhesive and grouted with Micromax2 in Snow.

Suitable for use internally or externally, BAL Flex One has revolutionised the standard-set category with a long open and working time, excellent non-slip properties and six-hour set.

BAL Flex One gives fixers the freedom to perform with a thixotropic and fluid formulation with shape memory, full wettability and super smooth gel rheology, plus use up to 15mm bed depth which aids building out in problematic isolated areas – such as this project on external render.

BAL provided the materials, plus a full specification and fixing guidance through it’s free Technical Advisory Service.

Nicola Edwards, Headteacher at St Andrews, thanked BAL for their support with the project:

“I just want to express my thanks and appreciation for the support BAL have given to St. Andrew’s CofE Primary School through supplying us with the materials for our mosaic.

“We are incredibly impressed with the final mosaic, which our Site Manager was able to install on the wall outside the school for our special 150^th Anniversary Celebrations.

“We had an amazing celebration afternoon last week when the final mosaic was unveiled and we have had so many positive comments about the wonderful, professional quality of the final result.

“Many thanks to BAL again for providing us with the materials which enabled us to make this a huge success.”

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL added: “We were delighted to support this fantastic project celebrating 150 years of St Andrews School. The mural looks amazing and is a fitting dedication to the school’s rich history.”

BAL – the market leaders in full tiling solutions – have made moves to strengthen their sales and marketing teams with two new appointments.

Kathryn Hyde has joined as Marketing Manager, and David Moore as Area Sales Manager for the North West and North Wales respectively.

Kathryn brings with her a wealth of expertise in communications and customer engagement from a variety of sectors in the B2B arena.

Following her appointment, Kathryn said: “It is a pleasure to be joining a company with such a renowned reputation for quality products and the unique services it offers to the market. I look forward to supporting the business and its customers in ensuring that tiles remain the surface solution of choice.”

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said: “I am delighted to welcome Kathryn as Marketing Manager.

“Kathryn has extensive marketing experience especially in the tiling and general construction sector and is a natural fit for the business as we continue to invest in our growth strategy.

“Kathryn comes into the business with a track record of developing and managing high profile brands and will be crucial in developing our aims to strengthen our position as a market-leading brand.”

David Moore joins BAL from N&C Nicholls and Clarke where he worked as a Branch Manager. He has previous experience working in the builders’ merchants’ sector and is also a trained plumber.

David will work with BAL’s distribution network in the region, as well as supporting fixers and contractors with the company’s portfolio of tile fixing products.

David said: “I’m delighted to join such as well-respected and innovative business in the tiling industry. I look forward to working with the company’s vast distribution network as well as fixers and contractors in the region.”

Debi Boulton, Head of Sales at BAL said: “David has extensive experience in the tiling sector and will significantly enhance our ability to provide an outstanding support service to our distribution partners, contractors and end-users.”

BAL have bolstered their specification team with two new hires.

Mark Lambourn joins the team as Specification Manager covering the Midlands and Wales. He has extensive experience in the construction sector working with architects, house/modular builders, contractors and building owners to deliver high quality specifications.

Based in Derby, Mark joins BAL from A Proctor Group Ltd, where he combined commercial and technical expertise to promote a portfolio of technically advanced thermal, acoustic and membrane system solutions, from specification through to project delivery. 

Also joining BAL is Richard Milligan who will work as Specification Manager for the North of England.

Originally from Bangor in Northern Ireland, but now living in Newcastle upon Tyne, Richard joins BAL from TPG The Parkside Group where his role was as an Architectural Advisor / Project Manager.

He previously spent more than 10 years with EGGER (UK) in production, sales and specification roles delivering high value projects and presenting CPDs within architectural practices.

Mark and Richard will work with architects, designers and specifiers supporting them on M40/M20 specifications, providing project support and delivering BAL’s suite of RIBA-approved CPDs.

Stuart Ross, Head of Specifications at BAL said: “We’re delighted to welcome Mark and Richard to the team to support all stakeholders in delivering long-lasting and high-quality tiling projects across the whole of the UK as part of our continued development and investment in the specification sector..

“This investment confirms BAL’s position as a leading brand for projects large and small, providing high quality tiling products along with  a host of support services for designers, architects and contractors to assist them from design to build.”

BAL has several free tools available to architects and specifiers to assist them from project start to completion including the company’s industry-renowned free and dedicated Technical Advisory Service (TAS) for specifications, technical queries and Sample Testing Services to ensure the correct selection of tiles and fixing products during the specification process.

Specifiers and architects can also take advantage of BAL’s comprehensive online tools and support including BIM library, fast track project advice, grout selector, industry news, technical tips and more. Simply visit www.bal-adhesives.com/specifiers

BAL can provide a solution for any background, environment or tile material and is trusted throughout the industry for its quality and lasting performance.

BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – are celebrating after their unique floating uncoupling mat was voted the Best Innovation at The Tile Association Awards 2019.

BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a truly uncoupled solution. The uncoupling mat is laid loose on the subfloor – preparation can be reduced to just a quick sweep of the floor, provided it is flat, level and sound. This means the product can be used over mastic asphalt, mixed substrates, bitumen, screeds with laitance, contaminated screeds and screed with cracks.

Designed with perforations, vapour channels and a mesh weave reinforcement, the system ventilates and uncouples the covering from the substrate in a single process – permanently and reliably.

Any residual moisture in the substrate is evenly distributed through a system of channels and then drawn off through the perforations in the mat via the grout joints. In this way, substrates that are still damp are not encapsulated.

This means the mat can be laid on fresh screeds including sand:cement when it’s walkable, and anhydrite screeds at 1.5% Carbide Method water content (usually minimum 0.5% CM water content is required before tiling). Saving on preparation can save up to 50% of the total installation time.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, said: “We’re absolutely delighted and of course honoured that BAL Flexbone 2Easy has named as the Best Innovation of the year at the TTA Awards.

“BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a truly unique and innovative product for the British market – there are no other uncoupling mats out there that can be loose-laid over unprepared substrates – significantly saving time and money and overcoming sub-floor problems.

“The product has already seen a phenomenal uptake in the UK and an extremely positive reaction from fixers, contractors and specifiers, and this award is just testament to the innovative features of this product.”

As well as BAL Flexbone 2Easy, BAL also have three other uncoupling options on its range including BAL Flexbone VAried, a bonded waterproof system, BAL Rapid-Mat, a lightweight, thin uncoupling mat which one Best Innovation in 2015 and BAL Single Part FastFlex – a unique one-part S2 adhesive that also acts as an uncoupling layer

BAL – market leaders for full tiling solutions – are revolutionising the standard-set category with new adhesive technology; BAL Flex One.

Fixers always want to finish an installation as quickly as possible. Often rapid-setting adhesives are preferred to ensure grouting can begin quickly. However, this can provide challenges during installation.

With its ‘One’ rapid-set technology, BAL have previously helped fixers with its rapid-setting products that provide significantly longer open and working times than all other rapid-set products but are still ready to grout in 3 hours.

With ever larger tiles growing in popularity, complex designs required, possibly difficult or irregular backgrounds on-site and even hotter temperatures being experienced now in the summer months; the use of even improved rapid-set adhesives still may not provide enough open, working or adjustability time for a fixer.

The UK market has seen other ‘semi-rapid’ products also launched, which are essentially based on over-retarded rapid-set formulations.

When traditional rapid-set chemistry is retarded to get a longer open and working time, there is a limit on how much the cement chemistry can be retarded before strength development is adversely affected.

Heavily retarded rapid-sets may also have performance limitations or suffer in on-site conditions where the required  working and open times may not be achieved, as the product increases in viscosity and application becomes more difficult.

However, the new BAL technology is the first truly enhanced standard-set technology – developed from traditional standard-set chemistry as a basis. 

Long open and working time performance will always be achieved more consistently using a standard set adhesive, or a product using this chemistry as a basis.

In response to customer demand, BAL’s market-leading R&D team have developed an enhanced standard set adhesive with a long open time, excellent non-slip properties and may be grouted in as little as 6 hours. Something that has never been achieved before.

BAL Flex One provides a truly innovative technology that raises the standard.

Set Your Own Pace

BAL Flex One give fixers longer working and open times– but still has a faster setting time prior to grouting.

Outperforming other products with an excellent 2.5 hour working time and a 45-minute open time at 20°C – this allows more working time to fix in warmer conditions (and less wastage in buckets), more time to adjust larger tiles, and more time when working on particularly complex installations.

With a 6-hour set time, the new adhesive allows fixers to grout in the evening or early the next day – significantly cutting down installation time compared to traditional standard setting products that require up to 24 hours to set!

Freedom to Perform

Fixer friendly, BAL’s new standard set technology also provides outstanding usability – helping to overcome the many obstacles that face fixers on a modern project.

With one of the thickest bed depths on the market for standard sets up to 15mm and, the formulation helps fixers to overcome some background irregularities where isolated building out may be required.

What’s more, it utilises technology first developed by BAL including super smooth gel rheology, a thixotropic formulation with shape memory, and full wettability where there is no need to adjust the water content to get the full performance benefits.

The new adhesives also have superb non-slip performance, easily exceeding the requirements of EN 12004 for “T” rated adhesives.

A true all-rounder

Highly flexible with S1 deformability, BAL Flex One is suitable for use with all tile types including ceramic, porcelain, natural stone – mosaics, terrazzo, brick slips and uncalibrated stone (for floors).

Suitable for interior and exterior applications and in dry and wet environments, the adhesives are particularly recommended for large format wall and floor tiles and may be used for swimming pools and total immersion and showers.

Because of its flexibility, BAL Flex One can be used on installations subject to limited movement and vibration, plus underfloor heating, including heated cement; sand screed sub-floors and electric undertile floor heating cable systems.

BAL Flex One has excellent grab and can be used on existing soundly bonded unglazed ceramic tiles, quarry tiles, terrazzo and natural stone tiles .

The adhesives are white in colour, meaning that only one bag is needed whether you’re tiling with natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tiles.

BAL have been named as finalists in four categories at The Tile Association (TTA) Awards 2019.

Celebrating the best in the wall and floor tiling industry, the TTA Awards are this year taking place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on the 12^th April.

BAL Flexbone 2Easy has been shortlisted for Best Innovation

BAL have been nominated for:

• Best Innovation for BAL Flexbone 2Easy – a unique floating uncoupling mat for unprepared screeds
• Best Environmental Initiative for the company’s green credentials and support of the Cool Earth charity which helps save rainforests across the world
• Excellence in Marketing for BAL’s digital and social media marketing strategy
• Excellence in Supply and Servicing for the company’s radical approach to maintenance, Industry 4.0 and data management.

In addition, BAL has supported the entry by Wesley Geraghty from Atlas Tiling Ltd of The Gart – a stunning 19^th Century property in Callander, Scotland – which has been shortlisted for Best Domestic Project. BAL products played a crucial role in more than 500m² of tiling on three floors and seven bathrooms.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing, said: “It’s a real testament to the quality of our products and our people to be directly shortlisted for four awards at the TTA Awards, plus indirectly in the Best Domestic shortlist.

“Many thanks to all those who voted in the first voting stage, and we look forward to the awards evening.”

BAL, the market-leader for full tiling solutions,  has made a significant investment in its sales, support and specification teams to provide a greater service provision to tilers, contractors, specifiers and distributors.

Debi Boulton – BAL Head of Sales

Stuart Ross – Head of Specifications

Keith Pearce

The Stoke-on-Trent-based manufacturer has doubled its sales team, while additionally creating a new Training and Technical Support Team of five and adding to its Specification Support Team.

Joining the BAL team as Area Sales Managers (ASMs) are; Lewis Lupton (Northern England and Scottish Borders), Geoff Cavell (East Midlands), Michael Maher (M5/M40 Corridor, Beds, Bucks and Herts) , Richard Homan (Kent and Sussex) and Andy Oates (London).

Also joining is John Stewart who will act as Regional Sales Manager for Yorkshire while Simon Harding has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager for East Anglia. Both John and Simon will have additional responsibilities plus managing key accounts.

To accommodate the expanded team, current BAL ASMs have had their areas of responsibility reassigned as follows: John Hunter (Scotland to Central and Northern Scotland), Martin Chappell (M56 Corridor to Staffordshire, North West and North Wales), Keiron Birch (Midlands to West Midlands, Central, South and West Wales), and Nick Harman (London and South East to Hants, Berks and Surrey)

Paul Glover will remain as ASM for the South West.

In addition, BAL have appointed Debi Boulton as Head of Sales. Debi previously worked as Sales and Marketing Manager for sister brand Dunlop and has been with the business for nearly 20 years.

Commenting on the investment, David Lyman, BAL Sales Director said: “The addition of six new members of the sales team means that we can cover more areas of the country and provide a greater of level of support to our customers. This means more face-to-face visits, more trade events and more product training.

“As part of our investment, our Area Sales Managers will be getting more “hands-on” at trade events and work as a link between our distribution network and their customers including on-site project support and specifications where required.

“Debi joins having delivered significant sales growth for Dunlop and with a wealth of experience in the industry has the knowledge and skills to deliver for both BAL and our partners.”

The new Training and Technical Support team will be led by Dave Rowley, BAL Training Manager and will assist the Area Sales Managers for larger trade events, training for fixers and contractors and trade counter staff on-site, and technical support on larger projects.

The team will work nationwide as and when called upon – working closely with BAL’s Technical Advisory and Specification Service (TAS).

“Training and Technical Support continues to be at the forefront of what we stand for as the market-leader for full tiling solutions,” added David.

“Having a dedicated team means we can provide additional support for fixers, contractors and distributors – including the option to deliver more practical and bespoke training courses both on-site or at our multi-purpose and high spec Innovation and Technology Centre.”

Specification Support Team

BAL has expanded its Specification Team support with the appointment of Keith Pearce as Specification Manager for London and the South East.

Keith has nearly 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, including 26 years at CEMEX – one of the UK’s leading suppliers of cement, ready mix concrete, screeds and aggregates.

He held numerous roles including technical manager, training advisor and operations supervisor. Latterly involved in working with architects closely on specifications Keith brings a wealth of technical experience to the role.

In addition, BAL have promoted Stuart Ross to Head of Specifications. Stuart previously worked as BAL’s Technical Services Advisory Supervisor working closely with the Specification team over the years on some key projects, with previous experience as Business Development Manager for CPDs and Specifications.

Commenting on his and Keith’s appointment, he said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Keith to the team. Bringing with him a wealth of technical and architectural, solution-based knowledge and experience, Keith is a superb addition to our growing team of experts, complementing our strategic plans for the future of Specification at BAL.

“I am delighted to be appointed Head of Specifications. It is a role which is at the heart of our business. My own passion has always been working closely and responsibly with architects, whether supporting through CPD presentations or providing technical guidance to ensure that they achieve a small but no less important aspect of their design and vision.”

Commenting on the appointment, David Lyman said: “I am delighted that Stuart has taken up the position as Head of Specifications and the appointment of Keith as Specification Manager for the South.

“Both Stuart and Keith are vastly experienced in specification sales and will greatly enhance our specification capabilities.”

BAL are presenting innovative new tiling technologies including its unique Flexbone uncoupling mats on Stand 618.

Developed to protect floor tiling from lateral movement which occurs in problem substrates – such as heated floors – BAL Flexbone uncoupling mats provide a buffer layer between tile and substrate.

BAL Flexbone comes in two varieties – Flexbone VAried and Flexbone 2Easy. Unique to the UK, BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a floating mat system – where NO adhesive is needed underneath the mat system i.e. the mat is truly uncoupled.

Because no adhesive is needed under the mat, preparation is reduced to a quick sweep of the floor if the surface is flat, sound and level. No removal or residue, no removal of laitance and no priming of the surface is needed. This means that contaminated and stained floors, wooden floors, bitumen, cracked screeds and mixed substrates can be tiled immediately.

It can also be used direct onto difficult substrates such as bitumen, fresh sand:cement screeds or new anhydrite screeds that are not fully cured (up to 1.5% CM residual moisture).

Time trials indicate the removal of subfloor preparation for installations provides a circa 50% time saving.

BAL Flexbone VAried is a bonded mat system for heavily trafficked areas. Waterproof, it features patented GripLock Technology for superior adhesion and a unique bone structure for faster fixing than traditional cavity mat systems.

Less adhesive is required on the mat surface, and trials indicate adhesive can be spread on the mat surface circa. 30% faster

The bonded mat is perfect for high load-bearing and commercial areas such as shopping malls, airports, car showrooms, office building and hospitals.

As well as innovative products, BAL provides a full support service including free NBS specification writing, CPDs, on-site consultancy and more.

Odhran Connelly from Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland was victorious at the SkillBuild 2018 National Finals in Wall and Floor Tiling.

Odhran beat off stiff competition from silver medallist James Ackland (Cardiff and Vale College), bronze medallist Mariusz Kanjecki (City of Glasgow College),

Callum Pearson (Highly Commended from Leeds College of Building) and four other competitors.

The finals of the national construction competition for apprentices and trainees took place at the NEC from 15 – 17 November as part of the WorldSkills UK Live exhibition.

Throughout the three-day, 18-hour competition, contestants were asked to tile a wall and floor based on a 3D building design and 150mm x 150mm ceramic tiles.

Competitors fixed the tiles with BAL Max Flex Fibre and BAL Rapid-Flex One and grouted with BAL Micromax2 Snow including BAL Micromax Sealant for all movement joints.

Dave Rowley, BAL training manager and lead judge for SkillBuild 2018 said: “Many congratulations to Odhran for winning a hard-fought final competition. The standard of fixing throughout the three days was exceptionally high which made adjudicating very hard.

“As a company we are committed to training the next generation of tilers to a high standard, so supporting the SkillBuild competition is a priority of ours. Competitions like these help raise standards and give trainees and apprentices a focus and standard to work towards.”

SkillBuild is now in its sixth year and is run by the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board). The competition sees the very best students from Regional Heats compete in ten construction occupations, including tiling, to be crowned the overall SkillBuild winner in their chosen trade.

As a national SkillBuild winner, Odhran is eligible to compete at WorldSkills 2019 being held in the Russian city of Kazan.

For information about entering SkillBuild 2019 please contact Dave Rowley on drowley@building-adhesives.com

BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – have launched two new uncoupling mat solutions for problem floors.

Following the launch of the revolutionary and award-winning BAL Rapid-Mat in 2014, the Flexbone range offers two very different solutions to the UK market with the launch of Flexbone 2Easy and Flexbone VAried.

Unique to the UK, and bound to excite fixers, contractors and distributors alike, BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a floating mat system – where NO adhesive is needed underneath the mat system i.e. the mat is truly uncoupled.

David Wilson, UK Head of Technical at BAL said: “Because no adhesive is required, preparation of the substrate is reduced to a quick sweep of the floor. No removal or residue, no removal of laitance and no priming of the surface is needed. This means that contaminated and stained floors, wooden floors, cracked screeds and mixed substrates can be tiled immediately.

“It can also be used direct onto difficult substrates such as bitumen, fresh sand:cement screeds or new anhydrite screeds that are not fully cured (up to 1.5% CM residual moisture). Lengthy waiting times on new screeds can be avoided with no more projects on hold while new screeds are dry enough to be tiled directly, or fixed with a traditional bonded system.

“Fast track installation in possible as any residual moisture in the substrate is distributed evenly through a system of channels and can also ventilate via the covering joints through perforations in the mat.”

As well as time savings from the lack of preparation, materials costs are also significantly reduced with no need for primers, plus a massive adhesive saving of 2kg/m², when compared to laying bonded cavity mat systems.

Time trials indicate the removal of subfloor preparation for installations provides a circa 50% time saving.

Because BAL Flexbone 2Easy is laid loose as a floating system, it is perfect for heritage projects where it is necessary to protect historic, sensitive substrates, plus areas where the ability to change the floor regularly is a requirement – e.g. rental properties.

BAL Flexbone VAried is a bonded mat system, with the same installation process as other fixed cavity mat systems in the market.

Unique to BAL Flexbone is the patented GripLock Technology and unique bone structure.

The patented design has been independently tested to provide the highest shear strength (providing more accommodation of higher levels of lateral movement) and the highest tensile strength (to stops tiles ‘popping-off’ or cracking under pressure). These highly flexible and deformable properties ensure all tile installations are protected from lateral movement and pressures, while a special fleece provides for vapour pressure compensation.

“As well as providing long-term benefits in terms of strength and flexibility, the unique bone structure also makes for significantly faster installations as the design ensures the trowelling-out of adhesive on the surface layer is fast and easy,” added David Wilson.

“Fixer trials have shown that the unique bone-shaped cavities are much easier and faster to fill with adhesive than the conventional square or round cavities.

“Less adhesive is required on the mat surface, and trials indicate adhesive can be spread on the mat surface circa. 30% faster.”

BAL Flexbone VAried can be used anywhere – for a varied number of installation environments!

BAL Flexbone VAried provides a waterproof layer, meaning no tanking is needed in wet areas such as bathrooms, showers and wetrooms when BAL Flexbone VAried is installed.

The bonded mat is perfect for high load-bearing and commercial areas such as shopping malls, airports, car showrooms, office building and hospitals, as well as light or medium traffic areas.

Both mats are available in 20m rolls or easy to install 2x1m sheets (ideal for small bathrooms) or wetrooms – and are suitable for use with all tile types, including natural stone.

As with all BAL products, BAL Flexbone uncoupling mats come with the manufacturer’s unique 25-year guarantee – unlike other cavity mats available.

When used with BAL adhesives, grouts, and sealants, this provides a fully guaranteed tiling system.

BAL have launched a new improved epoxy grout specifically for floor tiling installations.

Available in new Smoke and Ebony colours, BAL Floor Epoxy is a three-part hygienic impervious epoxy resin grout for floors.

With a resin-based formulation comprising liquid resin, liquid hardener and powder filler, BAL Floor Epoxy offers numerous benefits for the contractor as it is particularly recommended for large-scale commercial projects.

Because the filler is available as a separate component, other colours are available to order on a project-by-project basis* to match your tiles or chosen colour-scheme.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, said: “Hard-wearing and offering high resistance to abrasion and impact, BAL Floor Epoxy providing protection against bacteria and chemical attack making it perfect for installations including food preparation/processing plants, swimming pools/sports and leisure centres, shopping malls/supermarkets, hospitals and industrial/chemical plants.

“The ability to provide bespoke colours for this product makes it particularly attractive for specifiers and contractors on large commercial projects where aesthetics are vital.”

For joint widths up to 20mm, BAL Floor Epoxy cures in 24 hours and has a pot life of 60 minutes, meaning fewer mixes are needed producing cost and time savings.

What’s more, it is also suitable as a tile adhesive for chemical plants with metallic backgrounds, and for areas requiring chemical resistance.

*Minimum order quantities apply

BAL – the market-leading manufacturer of full tiling solutions including adhesives, grouts and ancillary products – have bolstered their specification and sales team with two new hires.

James Purrett

James Purrett joins the team as Specification Manager covering the Midlands and Wales. He has extensive experience in the bathroom sector, joining BAL from Venesta – the washroom and cubicles company – where he worked for six years as Specification Manager.

James’ previous roles include Design Engineer at Washroom Accessory Company and Product Designer at Venesta, Amwell & Bushboard. He is also a qualified CAD Technician and worked on large scale projects including the M1 widening scheme.

Also joining BAL is John Hunter who will work in Specification and Sales in Scotland. Edinburgh-based, John has more than 20 years-experience in the tiling sector including more than 16 years with Johnson Tiles.

John Hunter

John has strong relationships with contractors, distributors, regional developers, and architects across Scotland and NE England and joins BAL from Capital Tile Supplies.

James and John will work with architects, designers and specifiers supporting them on M40/M20 specifications, providing project support and delivering BAL’s suite of RIBA-approved CPDs.

John will also work with BAL’s distribution network in Scotland to boost sales and support fixers and contractors working with the company’s products.

David Lyman, Sales Director at BAL said: “We’re delighted to welcome James and John to the team as part of our continued development and investment in the specification and sales team to support all stakeholders in delivering long-lasting and high-quality tiling projects across the whole of the UK.

“This investment confirms BAL’s position as a leading commercial projects brand, providing high quality tiling product and providing a host of support services for distributors, designers and architects to assist them from design to build.”

BAL has several free tools available to architects and specifiers to assist them from project start to completion including the company’s industry-renowned free and dedicated Technical Advisory and Specification Service (TAS) for technical queries and Sample Testing Service to ensure the correct selection of tiles and fixing products during the specification process.

Specifiers and architects can also take advantage of BAL’s comprehensive online tools and support including BIM library, fast track project advice, grout selector, industry news, technical tips and more. Simply visit www.bal-adhesives.com/specifiers

BAL can provide a solution for any background, environment or tile material and is trusted throughout the industry for its quality and lasting performance.

In one of their most challenging builds, Nick Knowles and DIY SOS team recently built a brand-new gym for the Dale Youth Boxing Club which was previously housed in Grenfell Tower.

To support the build, Stoke-on-Trent-based BAL donated adhesive, tanking, grout and sealants with tiles donated by Walls and Floors (Kettering) Ltd.

Founded 60 years ago, Dale Youth Boxing Club had been based in the first floor of the Grenfell Tower since 1999. A valuable local resource, and one of the best boxing clubs in the country, the club has been credited with turning around the lives of many young people in the area.

Over the years, they have successfully nurtured more than 200 Amateur Boxing Association Champions as well as honing the skills of 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold Medallist James DeGale and current WBA Super-Middleweight champion George Groves.

Since the devastating fire in June last year, the club had been based in a car-park, but now it can flourish in a new custom-built facility on a site situated under the A40 Westway in West London.

The new facility took nine weeks to build and even had some royal help from Prince William, who took some time out of his busy schedule to help with some painting and meet volunteers and members of the community.

Earlier this year the BBC issued a call-out for volunteers to donate their skills, time efforts and companies to donate materials to help the DIY SOS team bring the new gym to fruition.

After hearing of the call, BAL kindly agreed to supply Single Part Flexible adhesive, BAL Tank-it waterproofing membrane, Micromax2 Grout Smoke and Micromax Sealant Smoke for changing rooms, toilets and a kitchen at the facility.

As well as providing materials, BAL also provided technical support to the tilers working on the project through Andy Oates, BAL Product Support Technician for the South East.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said: “No one could have failed to have been moved by the terrible tragedy at Grenfell which claimed the lives of so many innocent people and devastated a community.

“The Dale Youth Boxing Club was an important community facility which was in desperate need of a new home after the fire.

“As the market-leader for full tiling solutions donating some adhesive and grout and the time of one of our support technicians was the least we could do for this fantastic project.”

Before completion of the project, Graham Gater, Chairman of the Dale Youth Club said: “After the Grenfell Tower fire, the club was in boxing terms knocked down but thanks to BBC DIY SOS and all the people who are volunteering and donating we are now able to beat the count, through their generous and immensely inspirational support. We are really looking forward to getting a new space.”

The DIY SOS team added: “We would like to thank the incredible generosity of the building companies, suppliers and volunteers who have helped on this huge project, without whom it would never have happened.”

The episode aired on Wednesday 5 September and is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.

Tiled surfaces are ideal throughout any building. Durable, aesthetically pleasing and suitable for all dry, wet and hygiene areas. In areas like showers, bathrooms and kitchens, the humid conditions together with soaps and food residues can be the perfect environment for bacteria, mould and mildew to survive and thrive.

Microban technology helps keep bathrooms, showers and all tiled environments cleaner and fresher.

Only BAL’s range of grouts and sealants developed exclusively with global leader Microban technology will provide protection against black mould AND potentially harmful microbes and bacteria.

Because the Microban technology it is in-built within the BAL formulation’s, Microban protection provides continuous antibacterial and antifungal protection that lasts the lifetime of the products, helping to create a cleaner, fresher and more efficient building application.

Other products in the UK market promote hygiene ranges of grouts and sealants but these only actually claim to be anti-mould. They do not offer the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties of BAL’s Microban range of grouts and sealants; including BAL Micromax2, BAL Microflex and BAL Micromax Sealant.

Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL, said: “As market-leaders in full tiling solutions, we are proud to offer a range of innovative products such as grouts and sealants with in-built Microban technology.

“We are the only tiling brand in the UK to offer finishing products which can provide protection against black mould AND potentially harmful microbes and bacteria.

“When microbes and bacteria come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce.

“What’s more, Microban protection is incorporated into the product formulation in the manufacturing process meaning it never leaves the product, keeping your tiling protected and looking great.”

BAL are proud to be sponsoring the UK wall and floor tiling competitor at EuroSkills 2018.

Daniel McBurney

Taking place in Budapest from 26-28 September, the members of Team UK will be taking on the best apprentices in Europe with the aim of being crowned champions in their chosen skills.

Representing the UK in wall and floor tiling is Mark Scott from City of Glasgow College. Mark won the SkillBuild National Final, run in partnership with WorldSkills UK, last year and is also part of the squad currently training with the aim of competing in WorldSkills Kazan 2019 along with Daniel McBurney from Southern Regional College in Northern Ireland.

Competitors in this year’s SkillBuild will be eligible to compete in WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 if they meet the competition criteria.

BAL has sponsored regional and national SkillBuild tiling competitions since 2004, while Dave Rowley, Training Manager at BAL, has acted as Lead Judge since 2009.

Dave said: “We are delighted to provide support and sponsorship to the Mark and City of Glasgow College as he prepares for EuroSkills in Hungary.

“At BAL we value training and innovation highly with more than 50 years of technological development and training experience behind us, so it is crucial to support competitions such as SkillBuild that help develop the skills of talented young tilers.

“Continuing professional development and training is key to ensuring the industry continues to meet the highest standards, which is why we invested in a state-of-the-art Innovation and Technology Centre where we hold regular training courses.”

The 2018 SkillBuild competition has recently completed the Regional Qualifier phase, with the UK National Final taking place at WorldSkills UK LIVE in November at the NEC in Birmingham.

For more information on SkillBuild visit https://www.citb.co.uk/careers-in-construction/experience-it/skillbuild/