This year’s Build Show, sponsored by Easy-Trim, is an unmissable event for installers and fabricators eager to take advantage of the latest construction trends, including tiny homes, offsite construction and VR training. As part of UK Construction Week (UKCW), at Birmingham’s NEC between 9 – 11 October, visitors can access more than 10,000 innovative products and 650 exhibitors, as well as stimulating seminars, invaluable CPD sessions and endless networking opportunities.
Space-saving solutions
Tiny homes are gaining interest and visitors to UKCW can get up close and personal to Carwyn Lloyd Jones’ latest tiny timber frame home, to understand how doors and windows operate in such a small environment.
Exhibitors to advise independent tradespeople and installers on space-saving systems include:
- Velux’s smart roof windows, turning any loft conversion into a bright and well-ventilated space;
- Scringo, whose pocket door systems and kits save on average 2.6m² space per door while still maintaining aesthetics; and
- Ermetika, with flush door systems that merge with the wall and are guaranteed for 15 years.
Aaron Sudgen from Velux is also explaining the role of daylight and ventilation in happy and healthy homes at CPD Hub 1, Hall 9.
Time-saving options
The UK market for panelised modular building systems is flourishing, as offsite construction is hailed as the quick solution to the housing crisis. So quick, that offsite housing specialist Vision Built is building a two-story residential house and student accommodation construction at the Offsite Theatre, supported by MPBA and STA.
Exhibitors providing installers with offsite construction products, experience and tools to keep up with the demand include:
- Velfac, whose highly durable and low maintenance windows and doors have been used in various offsite projects;
- Jigtech, whose innovative door handle fitting system reduces fitting time to under three minutes;
- TRUMPF, with battery-driven power tools, offering up to 60% longer running times; and
- Morland with its award-winning offsite fire doors.
Those serious about exploring the offsite construction market won’t want to miss out on Ian Heptonstall’s talk on developing your offsite strategy – the importance of collaboration; or Simon Inch’s CPD session on how modular skylighting systems can be used.
A panel of experts including Ruth Davison from the National Housing Federation, and Tom Walker, from Homes England, is also discussing the modern methods of construction and how they can solve the UK’s housing crisis on the UKCW Stage.
Captivating coverings
With the domestic window coverings market benefiting from increased consumer spend in recent years, professionals will be keen to expand their knowledge of the products on offer, including:
- Easy Trim’s Roto roof windows, offering ten percent more light and an easy and safe cleaning position; and
- Dakea’s perfect-fit blinds and shutters.
Wrapping it all together are Nick Pearce and Claire Carsberg, from JCP, as they talk installers and independent tradespeople through the ten must-do things when bidding for large contracts.
Other exhibitors across the Build Show include: Addex, Trade Point (B&Q), Rockwool, Hikoki, OnLevel, Soudal, Rawlplug, Fischer Fixings, OM Group and Kärcher.
And there’s more
Other unmissable highlights include:
- The Future of Construction Hub and Innovation Trail featuring digital construction, 3D printing, robotics, AI and AR, modern methods of construction and a chance to get put to work in Coventry City University’s construction simulator;
- The Timber Expo, supported by TRADA, with the Timber Focus Theatre and Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI) Time for Timber CPD workshops.
- The Working at Height hub, supported by the Access Industry Forum, running 40-minute CPD sessions on staying safe and compliant when working at height;
- The Scaffolding Association providing scaffolding safety advice from its stand and OM Group hosting health and safety CPD sessions from its stand. A separate CPD programme is also being run by the BRE Academy;
- The Role Models campaign winner announcement, following the shortlisting of 36 people from more than 130 high-quality entries, on 10 October on the UKCW Stage; and
- The Central Bar, located in Hall 11, sponsored by Elliott Group; the Hall 9 Bar, sponsored by Germany Trade & Invest; and the Beer Festival, sponsored by Velux, with street food, rockaoke, a gin and fizz bar, and FIX Radio.
Free visitor tickets are available at www.buildshow.co.uk and provide access to the other UKCW shows: Energy 2018, Timber Expo, Building Tech Live, Surface & Materials Show, HVAC 2018, Civils Expo, Plant and Machinery Live, and Grand Designs Live.
Keep up to date with the latest information via the website www.buildshow.co.uk and on Twitter at @BuildShow or using the hashtag #BuildShow2018.
