Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders merchant Jewson is aiming to tackle head-on the problem of taking the sustainability agenda to the existing housing stock with the launch of its Sustainable Building Guide.
The guide was launched at an event at the Building Research Establishment in Watford today (November 15) and brings together information on sustainable building products plus hints and tips for both householders and builders. The 62 page guide has been designed to be easy to read, the information in it accessible and user-friendly and also to fit in the glovebox of any builder’s van.
It includes details on current and upcoming legislation, Government incentives such as the Feed-in-Tarriffs as well as a comprehensive overview of sustainable products and practices, to assist construction professionals working on both new build or RMI projects.
“There are 26million homes in the existing UK housing stock, and for me, this is where the real challenge of the sustainable agenda lies,” said Peter Hindle MBE, managing director of Jewson.
“The newbuild sector will get to the standards of Code 4, 5 and 6 for sure. It’s those 26m homes I’m interested in. That’s where the small to medium sized builder will come into his own.”
Education of the builder and installer is key, Hindle explained, as, in most cases, that is the householder’s first point of information. It’s also vital that the builders merchant staff are fully trained up in order to be able to offer the right advice to their customers. The company will be opening its own Greenworks Academy training facility in Birmingham next month, which will train staff and customers in the latest sustainable products and technology.
The Sustainable Building Guide is being marketed in branches, and is also available as a downloadable PDF and as an e-brochure. It is being backed by TV building expert and recycling evangelist Liam Collins.
“Jewson, along with other builders merchants, has a major role to play in helping to build our sustainable future,” Hindle said.
