INDUSTRY NEWS Inbrief
To help its customers better find the help they need in branch and online, Wolseley, the plumbing, heating and cooling trade specialist merchant, is evolving its brand to signpost the business’ key specialisms, under the banners of Wolseley Pipe and Wolseley Climate.
wolseley.co.uk
Ridgespear Limited, a technology and manufacturing business supplying several well known brands to the HVAC markets, has appointed Brendan Hourican as group sales director.
ridgespear.com
Due to the current worldwide spread of COVID-19 and the associated travel restrictions, Messe Frankfurt has decided to hold ISH 2021 on an exclusively digital basis.
www.ish.messefrankfurt.com
Building services professionals from all over the UK will have the opportunity to take part in a series of virtual CPD courses focusing on key construction industry topics, from REHAU.
www.rehau.com
Inspirational youth leader, Jack Parsons, CEO of The Youth Group has welcomed the launch of a new online training Academy for the building services industry.
www.thebesa.com
Work has started on Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Rainbow Garden thanks to Polypipe Building Products and other local businesses.
www.polypipe.com
REHAU has been recognised as among “50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders”, an initiative by media production agency TBD Media Group in conjunction with the United Nations.
www.rehau.com
The annual BESA National Conference and Exhibition will be held online this year on November 4 and 5.
www.thebesa.com
Nationwide distributor of insulation and interior building products, CCF, has invested in supplying a new HVAC range at its Harmondsworth site.
www.ccfltd.co.uk
! October 2020
BUILDING SERVICES SECTOR URGED TO KEEP MOVING
T
he building services industry has been urged to keep working and “show leadership” despite the new COVID-19 restrictions
announced by the government. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said the work carried out by the sector to install, commission and maintain heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment would continue to play a crucial role through the next phase of the pandemic. Chief executive David Frise told the online audience attending a BESA webinar that the new restrictions did not imply the industry should reduce its activity; in fact he urged it to “redouble its efforts”. “Morale across the country might have just fallen to lower than a snake’s belly, but we have to get on with it and show leadership,” said Mr Frise. He reminded concerned business owners that they were not alone. He said members of the BESA ‘community’ all shared the same problems and the Association was a good place to come together to work on common solutions. The webinar also heard that many owners and operators would be revisiting their building operating strategies in the face of a new rise in COVID-19 infections.
BESA’s head of business development Steve Tomkins (pictured) said the second wave would make the sector’s work on indoor air quality increasingly important. He advised facilities managers to keep ventilation rates as high as possible for the foreseeable future. Tomkins also pointed webinar attendees towards the Association’s guidance on
mothballing of buildings (SFG30), which could help facilities managers maintain premises that
remained empty or partially occupied following the Prime Minister’s call for people to continue working from home. “However, in those buildings that are occupied, it will
be really important to find a balance between comfort and healthy air change rates,” said Tomkins. “As we move into the colder weather, it will be more challenging to achieve the right indoor conditions using natural ventilation. FMs should also consider introducing local filtration (such as HEPA or UV) in some places.” BESA’s head of employment affairs Paula Samuels urged
employers to be sympathetic to members of staff who had concerns about returning to work. She advised them to increase their level of communication and “show people what you are doing to keep them safe by following good site practices etc.”
NEW MD FOR BAXI UK AND IRELAND U
K manufacturer Baxi Heating has announced the
appointment of Karen Boswell OBE (left) as managing director of Baxi Heating UK and Ireland. She will lead the next stage of Baxi Heating’s journey towards a sustainable future and net zero carbon. Karen joins from Hitachi Rail and is an accomplished
leader, whose career spans different industry sectors. She has a strong focus on business improvement and accelerating growth, is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and has extensive experience in manufacturing, supply chain and customer service. One of Karen’s outstanding achievements was to manage Hitachi Rail’s UK rapid growth from annual revenue of £248 million to £1.4 billion, and circa 3,000 people. Of her new position, Karen said: “In a world where
everyone has something to gain by living and working for a sustainable future, I am thrilled to be joining at this most crucial time.
“Baxi Heating has some of the best known and
respected brands in the market, and people who are passionate and successful in delivering for customers. It is well placed to build on its core solutions with new sustainable technologies. “I look forward to leading the business through the exciting next phase of its story,’ she added. Karen will replace David Pinder (above), who is retiring
from Baxi Heating. David joined in September 2012 and has contributed greatly to the company. Perhaps his greatest legacy will be his vision of ‘One Business’, removing internal barriers to make it easier for people to do business with us. David said: “I have very much enjoyed my time at Baxi Heating and there have been many highlights along the way, such as celebrating our 150th anniversary and developing the new hydrogen boiler. “I am extremely proud of the way our people have built up the business with the right principles and the right values. Baxi Heating is in great shape, and I know I am leaving it in capable hands.”
www.heatingandventilating.net
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