VIEWPOINT


MASONRY DECISIONS: THE UK BLOCK INDUSTRY IN 2021


What might 2021 bring? The Concrete Block Association’s housing manager, Chris Stanley, has some ideas.


THE NEW YEAR is well underway and whilst the UK is still negotiating choppy waters, there seems to be a greater degree of certainty than this time last year. There’s no doubt we’ve come a long way from those first rumblings of a fast-spreading virus to where we are now. Wiser, battle-hardened and undefeated, many building product manufacturers, including the Modern Masonry members, are ready to face the challenges 2021 has to offer and the opportunities it brings. In a COVID-19 adjusted, post-Brexit landscape there are reasons for some sectors to be cheerful, particularly construction professionals and building product manufacturers. Only last month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to keep the wheels of the industry turning during the lockdown, saying a shutdown would be ‘ludicrous’, meaning we can keep production going come rain or shine.


From the perspective of Masonry manufacturers, we are approaching the year with quiet confidence, like the country’s builders’ merchants, ready to meet an expected increase in demand.


Strong & Sturdy Coronavirus, Brexit and climate change, presented a true triumvirate of difficult situations to negotiate in 2020, however our members met all three head on to establish a strong starting point for 2021.


First, the pandemic. Most of our members had been horizon scanning in the weeks ahead of the Government’s inevitable first lockdown. Of course, those who didn’t initially have the guideline protocols in place rapidly


14


ensured they did, in order to resume production with minimal disruption. Members shared best practice to ensure transitions were efficient and effective. In any case, members had sufficient stock in their yards so orders for in-progress or essential projects were able to be honoured whilst plants were adapted to comply with covid- secure measures. Given that much of the manufacturing process is automated, this was achieved efficiently with little impact to factory staff.


Now in our third lockdown, fully equipped, it’s business as usual and our members have been in regular touch to confirm a very healthy supply and safe workforce.


Local Hero


For a number of building materials categories, the post-Brexit landscape poses a significant problem, with lack of clarity on the supply of important imported goods.


Fortunately, for blocks at least, our members’ products are manufactured domestically using materials sourced, formed, and cured locally. It’s been said that you’re no more than 40 miles away from a ready stock of blocks meaning you don’t have to wait long to receive an order and can commence, or continue, a build with minimal delay.


Further, due to the simple nature of the product, it’s relatively quick to call off blocks to order and have them shipped to yard or site at convenience.


A Sustainable Choice Over the last decade, our membership has invested heavily in ensuring blocks are as eco- friendly as possible, in line with the drive towards Net Zero


2050. Having already exceeded the 2020 milestone, things are looking positive for the next one in 2030.


Primarily we’ve looked at the composition of the blocks, from exploring the use of recycled aggregates, alternative cementitious materials such as PFA (Pulverised Fly Ash) and FBA (Furnace Bottom Ash) to ensuring that all constituents used in a block is 100% recyclable. This continues into 2021. We’ve also been giving careful thought to the issue of climate change and are currently conducting research into how we adapt to changing meteorological conditions, particularly as applies to housebuilding.


As such we will be proving how modern blocks help, passively, to deliver sustainable benefits, particularly when used in solid or cavity wall construction. Specified in conjunction with high- performance insulation and the right detailing, they help utilise a building’s thermal mass which has benefits in all seasonal conditions. This not only achieves a more comfortable, energy efficient solution, but significantly reduces CO2 emissions and ensures lower utility bills for end users. We will also look to build awareness of our social responsibility activities and how we are directly helping to revive and establish natural ecosystems. For context, towards the end of last year our affiliate organisation, The Mineral Products Association (MPA), announced that its members have already created over 8,000 hectares of UK priority habitats such as meadows, heathland, broadleaved woodland, and


wetlands including lakes, ponds and reedbeds. Looking forward, a further 11,000 hectares, at least, is in the pipeline in approved restoration schemes.


Safe as Houses In a post-Grenfell environment, building product safety and correct specification is of paramount importance. Our members welcome the recommendations of the Hackitt Report and will be vocal supporters of the new regulator when it comes into effect later this year.


Accurate, up-to-date and concise product data is crucial and a drive towards best practice, standardisation, rigorous testing and tighter rules on marketing is only a good thing. We need to demonstrate that we are businesses which not only understand the needs and requirement of our end user, but are also partly responsible for their safety and security. Last year the Prime Minister’s mantra was ‘Build Back Better’ and we intend to help champion this approach to ensure that every home built is of exceptional quality, something which every buyer or renter deserves. So, as we embark upon an exciting series of campaigns, I want to ensure the Builders Merchants Journal readership that our members are geared-up and prepared to support them with quality materials, expert advice and a ready supply of stock. Equally, we would be keen to hear their views and feedback on their pressure points and how we can better help their business thrive in this likely disrupted year. Ultimately, we are all looking to achieve the same goals, so let’s collaborate and help each other succeed. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net February 2021


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40