45 years of trading has made for an experienced, knowledgeable, proven and robust operation, the company says. Palace’s tiling range includes preparation and aftercare products, ready-mixed adhesives, cement-based adhesives and grouts, as well as levellers and waterproofing products.

The company has a broad product range and is said to be a leader in sustainable manufacturing, as well as a supplier trusted by many, with one of the industry’s most flexible manufacturing facilities. Consistent investment in its manufacturing capability has ensured the company not only has the capacity to meet even the largest orders, it says, but also that it has the flexibility to meet mixed orders and limited production runs of multiple product types reliably and efficiently.

Palace also has a number of subsidiary brands within its portfolio, including the recently acquired Pro Gyp-Base, NX and Rock-Tite.

The company produces over 250 formulations and has recently estimated that more than 1 in 5 of all the tiles installed in the UK are fixed using products from Palace Chemicals.

The company’s reputation as a reliable, trusted and honest trading partner has been built up over 45 years. Palace Chemicals’ staff have been a key driver of its growth and success, inspiring a high level of trust from among its customers. Investment in manufacturing capability and staff training help make the company successful, but critically its staff are valued by senior management. This is a key ingredient to increasing productivity and helping the business grow, and the success of this mindset can be seen in the large number of the company’s employees who have remained loyal to the business since its earliest days, says Palace.

It is also reflected out in the marketplace, where Palace Chemicals says its products have a superb reputation, loyally embraced by customers including major multiple retailers, local tile distributors, contractors and independent tile fixers, as well as building and DIY companies. According to Palace, the quality of its product range and the company’s customer service stands behind the trust it continues to enjoy.

This year, the company is unveiling a brand refresh to support its operating excellence pitch to the market. The branding is set to be rolled out during the year across the company’s product packaging, literature, advertising, website and social media channels.

Palace says: “It features an exciting new look, which demonstrates the gravitas that befits the company, effectively and concisely projecting its strong, durable, leading position in the tiling, flooring and DIY markets. The refreshing and rejuvenated design reflects the company’s position of market strength as a modern and trustworthy innovator, whose aim is to make business more profitable for its customers and to make life easier for consumers. Whether it is tiling adhesives and grouts, flooring preparation or tiling aftercare, the aim is to provide excellence for customers. The new packaging style provides a modernised look, with all the required information in an easily accessible format.”

With its updated brand image, the company says, it will build on its existing company and brand values, to increase awareness and positioning in current markets, while also extending the brand into additional market sectors.
www.palacechemicals.co.uk

Roberto Fabbri, president of the ABK Group, said that although the market is difficult for ceramics manufacturers, it is also full of opportunity. The €30m investment will be split between commercial expansion, hiring and acquisitions and follows a more than €100m investment from the company over the last seven years in technology.

Last year, ABK announced the entry of Cleon Capital Advisors as a minority shareholder. The Spanish independent investment and consulting firm has reportedly invested €45m in the company to accelerate and increase its expansion opportunities.

Fabbri highlights Europe and the US as particular areas of interest for the company’s investment, with a goal to focus on innovative technologies and important companies. 2023 saw a drop in commercial performance for the manufacturer, although the group’s president expressed confidence in the continued growth of the American market.

In Italy, the group is reportedly aiming to open the first ABK Studio in Milan in Q1, which will be a material library where designers and architects can view the company’s different products. Fabbri says the company will replicate this same format in other areas of focus abroad, while in Modena, the company is opening a new office hub with a 3000sqm showroom.
www.abk.it/en

GLN is a World Economic Forum initiative highlighting manufacturers showing leadership in using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to “transform factories, value chains and business models, for compelling financial and operational returns”.

Eczacıbaşı Group (VitrA Tiles’ parent company) CEO Atalay Gümrah and VitrA Tiles CEO Hasan Pehlivan gave acceptance speeches at the awards ceremony on January 15, 2024, during the Davos Summit, detailing how “innovations in manufacturing have improved performance and enabled them to navigate volatility and achieve success that extends beyond the bottom line”.

This achievement is said to be especially significant, as VitrA Tiles is reportedly the first company in the ceramic tile sector to be acknowledged by the World Economic Forum for its use of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

Atalay Gümrah, the Group CEO of Eczacıbaşı Holding, said: “We are thrilled that our Bozüyük Production Facility has been selected as one of GLN’s Factory Lighthouses, in recognition of the leadership we have shown in deploying Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Facing disruptions in manufacturing from climate change, a volatile financial landscape, and geopolitical crises that have led to fluctuating energy prices, particularly in Türkiye, this recognition underscores how we looked at these challenges not as setbacks, but as catalysts for further innovation and growth, harnessing 4IR to enhance our operational competitiveness.”

VitrA Tiles’ Bozüyük site reportedly used its digital transformation roadmap to focus on intelligent process and production controls with a 19% increase in overall equipment effectiveness, a 56% decrease in scrap, a 14% decrease in energy consumption and a 43% increase in the use of recycled content last year.

Hasan Pehlivan CEO of VitrA Tiles said: “While our solutions might be unique, the challenges we face are global and we recognize the value of a global community in solving global challenges. The future of manufacturing is not about just one company, or one sector, or a single country, but about bringing the global community together to address major challenges. I believe the GLN has much to contribute to this journey, and I welcome this excellent latest initiative from the World Economic Forum.”
www.vitra.co.uk

“If you are an architect, engineer, quantity surveyor, sustainable lead, main contractor who want to learn about the most low carbon footprint structural material, stone, we are a group of stone professionals looking to answer all your questions.”

The partnership has been formed specifically for the FOOTPRINT+ show, which will take place at Old Billingsgate on 8-9 May 2024, where the participating companies will be attending and discussing the material with visitors. Bidaud’s post continues: “If you want to discover new products, innovations, technologies in manufacturing and install and understand better how sustainable stone is, do get in touch!”

FOOTPRINT+ is described by organisers as “the world’s most advanced international conference for the decarbonisation of the built environment”.

The event aims to explore how technology and materials, energy systems and data can work together synergistically to drive down buildings’ carbon emissions. With seven conference stages, the event also features bespoke installations, a design forum and networking events.

Before joining the company, O’Connor served as the national sales manager at Natural Stone Surfaces and prior to that, she held significant sales manager roles at Ceaserstone. Her early career included roles at Shaw Stone Surfaces, where she developed her understanding of stone fabrication.

O’Connor’s career in the industry began at Cosentino, where she reportedly excelled as a senior client manager and area sales promoter. The experience gained in these roles helped her to hone her skills in sales, management, and business development.

“I am incredibly excited to start my journey with Laminam UK, especially having previously worked with managing director, Gavin Shaw,” said O’Connor. “Gavin’s enthusiasm for the Laminam product is truly infectious and the interest from customers is really strong. I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth and success in the UK market.”

Gavin Shaw, managing director of Laminam UK said: “At Laminam, we are committed to recruiting the best talent in the industry. Leanne’s extensive experience combined with her relationship skills, make her the ideal person to educate fabricators and kitchen design studios about the superior qualities of porcelain. We are excited to have her on board as we continue to demonstrate why porcelain is the best product for our times.”
www.laminam.com

“Parkside Architectural Tiles and Material Source Studio Scotland are joining forces to bring the best of our tile and surfaces portfolio. On Glasgow’s West George Street, Material Source Studio is home to 25+ industry-leading commercial interior brands. Now the place to come and see our tiles in Scotland, it’s home to seminar events, lunch and learns, CPDs, gallery exhibits and more. With meeting spaces, a theatre, the Hub and a workshop, Material Source Studio is a destination for the architecture and design community.

“Inside, you’ll find a range of our tiles, including specialist products like Sugaroni and Aquabase, Sequel and Principle recycled content tiles from Alusid, XL Slab and Boston. Pop in and say hello.”

Material Source Studio Scotland is the second location for the studio, following the success of its Manchester site. Its other partners include Karndean, Forbo and Nespresso.
www.parkside.co.uk

Dekton is described by the company as a “sophisticated mixture of more than 20 minerals extracted from nature” which can be used in various applications including flooring and façades.

Aware of the impact that buildings have on our comfort, health and well-being, Cosentino says it provides with Dekton a full life-cycle carbon neutral construction solution that allows the sector to design more sustainable buildings. The IAC Gold certification introduces relevant advantages such as guaranteeing the lowest European limits in terms of emissions inside buildings; ensuring compliance with all applicable legal requirements in Europe and the highest recognised voluntary standards; as well as contributing to obtaining the highest score in these aspects of all voluntary international building certification standards such as LEED, BREEAM, Well Building or Nordic Swan, among others.

Thus, the company claims, Dekton is consolidated as “one of the most sustainable products for architecture and construction today, due to circular economy criteria – with the use of recycled raw materials in its composition; carbon neutrality, as well as in terms of safety, health and well-being”. The brand also has the UL Greenguard and Greenguard Gold certificates from Underwriters Laboratories, a positive NSF analysis, the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) label and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) among other certifications.
www.cosentino.com

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB said: “November once again marks another month of decline in construction industry output. While it is positive that the RMI sector, which makes up the backbone of the sector, has seen significant growth of 2.1%, this cannot be a substitute for the delivery of new projects. The private new housing sector and the infrastructure new work sector have both seen sharp declines, which is deeply concerning for the long-term sustainability of the wider industry.”

Berry continued: “The UK is experiencing a housing crisis, and yet the government’s response to date has been limited. Despite positive first steps being taken by the chancellor, the measures announced by the government so far go nowhere near far enough to tackle the challenges the UK faces in delivering the vast increase in high-quality housing that the country needs. We need to see serious action delivered as an urgent priority, as papering-over cracks can never be a viable solution in the long-term.”
www.fmb.org.uk

Monthly construction output is estimated to have decreased 0.2% in volume terms in November 2023; following an upwardly revised decrease of 0.4% in October 2023, with the monthly value in level terms in November 2023 at £15,571 million.

The decrease in monthly output came solely from a decrease in new work (2.0% fall), as repair and maintenance increased by (2.1%).

At the sector level, three out of the nine sectors saw a fall in November 2023, with the main contributors to the monthly decrease seen in private new housing and infrastructure new work, which decreased 3.9% and 2.0% respectively.

According to the ONS, anecdotal evidence suggested effects of adverse weather, including heavy rainfall and strong winds in November 2023, led to delays in planned work.

A mix of hands on practical and theoretical training, it covers the factors impacting waterproofing in submerged areas, the latest installation practices and British Standards, as well as substrate preparation, waterproofing systems and selecting a suitable type of adhesive, grout and silicone.

Kerakoll offers these courses free of charge, running them regularly throughout the year as part of the company commitment to raising industry standards. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate, attesting to their enhanced capabilities and commitment to improving their skills. Courses at the Kerakoll Campus have reportedly been rated 9.4/10 for overall satisfaction by participants. Reserve your place in one of the sessions by visiting
www.kerakoll.com/en/training-events. You can also contact your local sales representative, or the customer service team using the details below.
training@tilemasteradhesives.co.uk
www.kerakoll.com/en/training-events
01772 456 83