CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS Records, research and regulations
Nick Beardon, general manager at JCP Construction Products, reviews how 2012 has progressed for the Teddington based company and looks ahead to an exciting yet challenging 2013.
J
CP Construction Products is part of Hexstone, the company behind fastener and fixings experts Galaxy Fasteners, Icon Fasteners, Owlett-Jaton and Stainless Threaded Fasteners. Back in 2011, as JCP Construction Products celebrated
its tenth anniversary, we discussed our aims for a successful 2012. As a relatively young business in the construction fixings market, we had nonetheless enjoyed a 10% - 15% sales increase year-on-year, which we were eager to maintain – and hoped to achieve this by being specified on larger projects. Looking back on the previous year it’s clear that we have gone above and beyond these objectives, witnessing a record year for turnover and experiencing our best-ever month in trading. May was a key month for us, with several significant pieces of business including a considerable export order, and over the course of the entire year we have indeed maintained our 10% growth target. As ever, new product launches were a big focus during
the year, with the DF90 first fix gas nailer and Quartz Spin In Capsules - for use in solid concrete, with greatly improved loads and a European Technical Approval (ETA-07/0329) - being well received by the market and proving our commitment to researching and developing products that customers really need. The PA97 Cartridge Tool has also been submitted for testing within the guidelines of BS EN 15895 and is now CE Marked. However, 2012 has also been a year of laying foundations.
To sustain our position and grow we must always seek to improve and add to our offering, keep up with standards and legislation, and add value for our customers. A key industry issue in 2013 will be the changeover from the
Construction Products Directive to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR). The UK will have to adopt the same approvals that already apply across Europe. At JCP we have already begun updating our catalogue and product range accordingly. We have recently introduced a Throughbolt with an ETA option 1, approved for use in cracked concrete. Our range of injection resins have also been submitted for assessment against European Technical Approval Guidelines.
Other new products for 2013 include our range of galvanised Ankerbolts, which offer greater corrosion resistance for outdoor use,
as well as a new socket Ankerbolt suitable for M8 and M10 threaded rod and ideal for supporting suspended services. The selection and
PA97 Cartridge Tool
installation of anchors will also be the subject of much change in the industry in the coming months. Throughout 2012 a British Standards committee has been working on a new BS Code of Practice (BS8539 Code of practice for the selection and installation of post installed anchors in concrete and masonry) that aims to assist in standardising the process that engineers and installers should use when selecting and installing anchors. Indeed JCP has played a key role in the preparation of this guide, with Technical Manager Brian Deluce being involved throughout the year representing the European Consortium of Anchor Producers (ECAP). This involvement puts us in a strong position to advise our customers on how to interpret the guide, one of the many topics on which we’re able to provide training. After moving to new, modernised offices in 2012, we now
have the facilities to provide a variety of training courses for our customers. We can offer standard or tailor-made sessions ranging from product selection and specification through to installation, and can help customers understand the implications of CPR and BS Code of Practice guidelines. Training on our free software system – the Anchor Calculation Programme (ACP) – is also available, helping builders, architects and specifiers to design and select the best anchor for safety-critical applications. The ACP is just one way in which we can provide our
customers with expert advice on specification of the correct product. Our customer feedback repeatedly reveals how much they value our site testing service, where our engineers will carry out on-site testing to determine the right fixing for the job. By attaching a special test rig, we can determine the loading a fixing will support under site conditions, ensuring that the safest and most effective fixing is used in every instance. Our customers also tell us that the countrywide support
service we can provide keeps them coming back, as they know we can quickly provide on-site advice as well as testing, wherever they’re working. The past few years have been challenging for all in our
J-FIX Q SPIN M16
industry, and it’s difficult to say whether 2013 will mark a change for the better. However, at JCP we’re confident that our commitment to developing new products to meet customer needs, our dedication to adhering to standards and regulations, and our drive to offer the best in customer service, will lead to another successful year.
www.jcpfixings.co.uk 108 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 79 January 2013
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