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GROHE gears up for HIP Female Skills Competition 2024

HIP Female Skills Competition 2024 GROHE sponsor

Building on its successful launch earlier this year, the HIP Female Skills Competition is already preparing for an even more exciting event in 2024, with entries now open, and the GROHE GIVE Program has signed up as headline sponsor following the debut success.

HIP, the only dedicated magazine for heating and plumbing students and apprentices, is renowned for its ‘Learner of the Year’ competition and continues to be committed to providing competitions for students, with the goal to build confidence and advocate skills development along with getting the very best people into the installer industry, regardless of gender.

Alongside providing valuable skills and encouraging young professionals to enter the industry, the GIVE Program wishes to excite and encourage more women into the profession to help bridge the gender gap within the field. It’s been found through recent studies that less than 3%1 of the 150,000+2 UK plumbers are female, showcasing a startling reality.

In February and March 2024, the HIP Female Skills Competition will expand its search from two to three regions across the country, seeking the very best up-and-coming industry professionals. Level 2 and 3 plumbing & heating learners from colleges nationwide will compete in a live practical installation. Each regional winner and runner-up will go on to compete in the grand finale for the chance to win the prestigious award.

Alongside the accolade for both the winning student and college, there are fantastic prizes to be won. Each competitor will receive a certificate for taking part, with prizes generously donated by sponsors, including headline sponsor GROHE GIVE, plus many others.

The competition will be judged by Jerry Whiteley, Technical Manager at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). Zoë Tanner, Managing Director at HIP, shared, “We’re so excited for the next HIP Female Skills Competition. It’s been immensely encouraging to see the competition being supported again by so many big names from the industry with the likes of the GROHE GIVE Program on board, and a fantastic way for learners to build their confidence and take pride in their work. Now more than ever is the time to support the next generation of talent and we can’t wait to see what the competition brings.”

On their headline sponsorship, Christopher Penney, Leader, GIVE Program, LIXIL EMENA said, “It’s so important to try and bridge the gap between skilled installers. Obviously, we know there’s a huge gap in the workforce currently and the fact that this is an all-female competition is a huge positive for the industry and a step in the right direction. We want to set new industry standards with our products and also the people that install them, and the more women we can entice into this industry, the better.”

Running alongside HIP Female Skills Competition will be the Meet the Manufacturer series, which gives manufacturers the chance to update lecturers on the latest industry and product innovations.

HIP Female Skills Competition 2024 GROHE sponsor
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Five questions for Stephan Tahy

Stephen Tahy Duravit CEO

The Duravit CEO answers questions about the laying of the foundation stone for the new production plant in Matane, Canada.

1. Mr Tahy, Duravit AG is investing a high double-digit million-dollar amount in the construction of a new ceramic plant in Canada. Could you please explain the background of this project?

        First and foremost: For Duravit, this is the largest investment in our company’s history. It fills me with pride that we have now been able to give the go-ahead for this extraordinary project. At the same time, I feel gratitude for the trust that our owner family has placed in us.

        The new plant is a milestone for Duravit in several aspects: We are setting standards for the responsible use of resources by replacing natural gas as a fossil fuel with sustainably generated energy from hydropower. In addition, we have made our supply and logistics processes sustainable to strengthen our presence in the growth market of North America with our own local production facility. Not to be forgotten: Around 240 new jobs will be created at the new site.

        None of this would have been possible without the support of our local partners: the responsible Québec, and the city of Matane. With Hydro-Québec as our energy supplier, we also have a long-term partner for the supply of affordable and, above all, clean energy.

        2. The new plant in Matane, Canada, is a central element in Duravit’s sustainability strategy. What does that mean specifically?

        We have set ourselves the ambitious goal of climate-neutral production by 2045. The production of ceramics is one of the most energy-intensive industries. A lot has changed here in recent years, and energy and resources are now used much more efficiently. Nevertheless, we need a disruptive change in ceramics production that tackles the CO2 emission problem at the root when using natural gas. And we are grappling this change with the new plant I, therefore, see the project as a real game changer for the whole industry.

        The heart of our climate-neutral production facility is the electric ceramic tunnel kiln – a groundbreaking world first for industrial ceramic production. The energy is supplied exclusively with regeneratively generated electricity from the hydroelectric power plants of the Canadian energy supplier Hydro-Québec. With the new kiln, which is about 100 meters long, we save over 9,000 tons of CO2 per year compared to a conventional gas kiln – at full capacity.

        3. What are the other advantages of the new production site in Canada?

        The new site in Matane fits seamlessly into Duravit’s local-for-local strategy. The location directly on the St. Lawrence River facilitates logistics and the transport of goods. The most important raw materials for ceramic production – clay, kaolin, feldspar, and quartz – are available over short distances. This allows us to significantly reduce logistics expenses and additionally save energy from fossil sources.

        Compared with importing our products from Europe, we therefore expect a reduction of our CO2 emissions in the North American market of 1,500 tons per year. Together with the electric kiln, we have a reduction potential of almost 11,000 tons of CO2 per year. That is groundbreaking!

        4. What will Duravit produce in Canada?

        North America is one of our growth markets. We see great development potential here, which we will serve in the future with the new production site. By 2028 we want to have reached the maximum capacity of the new plant: an annual production of 450,000 large ceramic parts. In doing so, we focus entirely on the needs of the North American market. With one and two-piece toilets, but also wall-hung toilets and washbasins. Compared to today’s data, that is almost a threefold increase. Accordingly, we need production on site – close to our customers.

        5. How can you imagine the set-up of the production facility in Matane?

        Since we are building the plant from scratch, we can rely on state-of-the-art production processes: The building area is around 40,000 m2. Everything is highly automated and follows the principles of Industry 4.0. As mentioned, the centerpiece is the electric ceramic tunnel kiln, while other highlights include automated transport systems, glazing robots, and an automated chamber dryer. In addition, the plant will rely entirely on die-casting technology. All this is state-of-the-art.

        Despite all the automation, our future employees certainly play a decisive role. Around 240 new jobs for skilled workers will be created in Matane which will strengthen the region and actuates a growth impulse at the site. As a family business with a long-term focus, we are already looking forward to working with our future team in Canada.

        Duravit Plant Canada Stephen Tahy
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        Cracks in construction: The worsening housing crisis from the POV of builders

        women in construction Clive Holland

        Concerns have long been expressed regarding the government’s lack of effort to improve Britain’s housing crisis, now tradespeople are voicing their opinions on how this can be changed. Whether it be battling against record material and labour prices, an historically small workforce, regulations that stifle the ability for builders to work, as well as being in the grips of a mental health crisis, the construction industry is facing significant obstacles. 

        Clive Holland, broadcaster on Fix Radio – the UK’s only national radio station dedicated to tradespeople – explains what the UK must do to meet homebuilding targets, with a point of view from the trades.

        “The government’s target of building 300,000 new homes a year is completely unrealistic and feels as if they are making as many promises as they can because the general election is just around the corner. 
         
        “Housing Secretary, Michael Gove, has said the planning system is not working and as such, a new reform bill is being unveiled as a part of this levelling up against this rhetoric regeneration bill. If the government is serious about its housebuilding target and demand, there is a lot that needs to be done. 
         
        “For me, there’s so much red tape surrounding regeneration that’s been around for a long time. Most brownfield sites already have construction, for instance, disused office blocks, public buildings, and long forgotten industrial areas, all of which could be changed if it wasn’t for the red tape. 
         
        “I think reduced rates should be given for building on the millions of acres of brownfield across the UK as an extra incentive for major housebuilders. It would reduce the nimbyism and the naysayers who do not want to see greenfield sites concreted over. 
         
        “Currently, there are well more than 1 million properties across the United Kingdom without residents, including unused second homes, whilst there are hundreds of thousands of people in need of housing – it doesn’t make sense.
         
        “Under the current rules, it takes an average of five years for a standard housing development to go through the planning system. Since the COVID pandemic, everything has been done digitally and unfortunately taken its toll on house planning. Now, we are unable to go into planning offices and speak with someone directly meaning the whole process has become a lot slower, all because they have cut back on staff. 
         
        “We are still experiencing numerous sites being mothballed simply because resources and interest rates are too high. I think it’s all going to come to a grinding halt if we continue the way we’re going. 
         
        “The nutrient neutrality is going to allow for an additional 100,000 homes to be built in England by 2023. Yet, it often requires mitigation as part of the development either in the form of onsite treatment of wastewater and surface water runoff or by offsetting. Builders are rejoicing about nutrient neutrality now cutting a lot of the red tape, but I don’t think it will cut a lot of the problems in the future. 
         
        “Another red tape aspect that I think is a major issue is the scrapping of the four-year rule without any reasoning or replacing it with something else. This encourages the rogue element of the construction industry and can create eye sores for neighbours and the wider public – it’s a recipe for disaster. 
         
        “My problem always falls back into the hands of these ministers as none of them have experience in construction and it’s time that they should be guided by people with experience and the correct expertise.”

        About Fix Radio
        Fix Radio, the Builders Station is the home of entertainment, music and information for UK tradespeople.
         
        Since 2017 the station has been built from the ground-up with tradespeople in mind, providing a mixture of authentic trade voices, up-beat music and a schedule designed around the tradesperson’s day.
         
        The station’s schedule includes some of the biggest talent in the industry, including social media influencers the Bald Builders, Clive Holland of the BBC and formerly Cowboy Trap, the country’s most famous plasterer Chris Frediani from DIY SOS, plumbing influencer Andy Cam, electrician turned YouTuber Thomas Nagy, carpenter, craftsman and social media influencer Robin Clevett and TV presenter and builder, Mark Millar.
         
        Broadcasting nationally on DAB since May 2022, Fix Radio has an average reach of 352,000 tradespeople each week. The Builders Station also boasts 24.1 average weekly

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        Thomas Crapper to cycle for Bowel Cancer UK!

        Thomas Crapper Bowel Cancer UK

        When supporting charities, the Thomas Crapper team ensures that it “makes sense”….and the bathroom manufacturer’s latest collaboration definitely does! Thomas Crapper is supporting Bowel Cancer UK with the aim of spreading the word about the importance of early diagnosis and of course, raising as much money as possible.

        Thomas Crapper will be cycling 250 miles in aid of Bowel Cancer UK – from the comfort of the Huddersfield HQ on the 28th September!

        The team would love your support by donating whatever you can through this dedicated JustGiving page.

        All of the money donated here goes directly to the charity.

        Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. The team is on a mission to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Every year, nearly 43,000 people in the UK are told that they have bowel cancer. It is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer – over 16,500 people die from the disease each year. However, bowel cancer is treatable and curable if caught early and around 90% of people will survive for five years or more. Together we can work towards a world where no one dies of bowel cancer.

        BCUK support Bowel Cancer

        For more information on Thomas Crapper, please visit www.thomas-crapper.com

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        UWLA supports water efficiency fund

        water efficiency offwat fund

        UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says that the UWLA supports the Water Efficiency Fund set out in the Ofwat consultation on Scoping the Water Efficiency Fund August/September 2023.

        The consultation is out for comment until 22 September and the UWLA’s response will support the focus on changing consumer behaviour, as well as recommend that the expertise and support that already exists within the Unified Water Label Association is harnessed to help government meet their goals.

        Yvonne says, “The consultation asks, ‘How can we most effectively bring in expertise from other sectors and disciplines while also making use of and nurturing the expertise that already exists in this sector?’. 

        “The UWLA has a robust solution in the Unified Water Label, a smart tool, already supported by an industry that is visible in the marketplace, and changing consumer perceptions.

        “The consultation document confirms that it is more important than ever to manage demand for water in England and Wales, as the sector is at risk of falling short of its long-term aspirations and targets in this area. Water companies are predicting that by 2050 we will need 25% more than the water currently put into supply to meet demand.

        “We fully support that behaviour change is key and have made this an important part of our focus at UWLA. Manufacturers have developed innovative and water-efficient products, but without educating consumers on how best to use them, we will not see significant change. We have been working with every element of the supply chain, from installers to retailers providing them with the tools to communicate the water efficiency message.

        “The development of a well-resourced, collaborative, sustained and wide-scale campaign, as proposed in the consultation, would enhance our work in this area.

        “The UWLA does not support an enforcement approach or product restrictions via a mandatory label. This solution is likely to be ineffective, allowing poor-quality products into the market without robust market surveillance.  Consumers will move to purchasing from overseas and install these products on variable pressure systems due to poor and inadequate infrastructure.  Furthermore, a reduction in standards will likely lead to more water use and even increased health risks.

        “Another consideration is the cost. A mandatory label will be significantly more expensive than a voluntary one, and a mandatory scheme will take away the flexibility the industry now has to operate a scheme to meet market demands. 

        “On behalf of the Unified Water Label Association, I would urge the KBB industry to work with us for the benefit of all to promote our own recognised and industry-led smart tool, the Unified Water Label.”

        The consultation document can be found here.

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        BiKBBI Awards 2024 open for entries

        BiKKBI Awards 2024

        The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation has announced that the 2024 BiKBBI Installation Awards programme is now open for entries.

        The BiKBBI Installation Awards, which recognises the talent, contributions and achievements of businesses and individuals in the KBB installation sector, launched in 2021 and has seen significant growth, with the 2023 Awards attracting 130 entries from 102 businesses and individuals across the twelve categories.

        The BiKBBI Awards is free to enter, and businesses and individuals can nominate themselves, their business, a colleague, business associate or a company that they work with via a dedicated online platform. Entries can be submitted from Monday 4 September 2023 and more information on the entry criteria, the submission process and key dates can be found at www.bikbbi.org.uk. The 2024 Awards categories are:

        • Installer of the Year
        • Young Installer of the Year
        • Apprentice of the Year
        • Installation Manager of the Year
        • Installation Business of the Year
        • Customer Service Champion of the Year
        • Community Champion of the Year
        • Independent Retailer of the Year
        • National Retailer of the Year
        • Industry Newcomer 2024
        • Environmental Champion of the Year
        • Special Recognition Award

        BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters commented “We have been delighted but not surprised to the see the increase in entries for the BiKBBI Installation Awards year on year– it’s a testament to the importance of the installation sector to the wider KBB industry, and never more so than with the skills shortage that the industry is now operating in. The efforts of installers, installation managers and installation departments operating within the KBB sector are critical to the success of every business within the industry – manufacturers, distributors, designers and retailers – and therefore its incredibly important that the contributions and efforts of the installation arena of the industry are recognised and celebrated.”

        The BiKBBI Awards 2024 winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner ceremony at London’s prestigious QEII Centre, Westminster, on Tuesday 6 February 2024, in conjunction with BiKBBI Awards event partners Fix Radio, Quooker and Band of Builders.

        Walters continued “These awards are only possible thanks to our Awards sponsors and those that support the programme by entering either themselves or someone else. It was great to see so many businesses come together in recognition of KBB installation at the 2023 Awards, and to be joined on stage by many worthy winners on the night. We hope to exceed the number of entries this year and to honour even more examples of excellence in our sector.

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        VitrA showroom to be sci-fi playscape for LDF

        VitrA showroom 2LG

        As part of this year’s London Design Festival, VitrA London has invited creative design consultancy, 2LG Studio, to deliver a playful installation in its Clerkenwell showroom – aptly named “Playscape”.
         
        Inspired by sci-fi films and the works of French interior designer Andrée Putman, the installation by Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead – the creative duo behind 2LG studio – combines the organic shapes of VitrA’s Istanbul bathroom collection with a checkboard design made up of curated tiles from the brand. With a captivating monochromatic structure reminiscent of a playground slide, the centrepiece is set to highlight the limitless potential for creativity in the bathroom space while offering a glimpse into a futuristic world.

        “Playscape has been designed to re-imagine the way we experience our bathrooms,” says Cluroe, “as if a spacecraft has landed in the VitrA showroom from the not-too-distant future.”

        “Bold, boundary-pushing and aspirational, our design speaks of futures past and takes us into new territory, showcasing the elegant organic shapes of the Istanbul collection – contrasted with the graphic impact of monochromatic tiling,” Whitehead adds.

        Comprising basins, toilets, taps and showers, the Istanbul collection by British designer Ross Lovegrove celebrates the rich cultural and architectural heritage of its namesake city where East meets West and where VitrA was founded.

        VitrA Showroom Sci-fi Playscape

        Established in 2014 by Cluroe and Whitehead, 2LG Studio is a design practice based in South East London. Originally trained in theatre, Cluroe and Whitehead work primarily in residential interiors but have also created products across lighting, print, furniture and objects. Their first book, Making Living Lovely – Free Your Home with Creative Design, was published in 2020 by Thames and Hudson. The duo have also appeared on the revived series of the cult British interior design show, Changing Rooms, on Channel 4 in 2021 and 2022.

        To coincide with “Playscape”, VitrA London will run a series of free virtual reality (VR) experience sessions on Thursday 21 September 2023 (10:00 – 15:00).  The brand’s Virtual Worlds software transfers bathroom designs into 4-D, enabling individuals to experience them on a whole new level. At each session, the user will be given a VR headset to explore a fully immersive virtual bathroom space; from turning on a virtual tap to interacting with the latest bathroom collections from VitrA – including those featured in the “Playscape” installation.

        Celebrating the start of this year’s London Design Festival, VitrA London will host “Party at Playscape”, an evening event on Tuesday 19 September 2023. Limited tickets, A&D only, RSVP essential.
         
        “Playscape” will be on display at the VitrA London showroom from 18–22 September 2023 (09:00 – 17:00). Free to attend, click here for more details.
         
        Address: VitrA London, 64 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5RR.
         
        To browse VitrA’s latest collections, visit vitra.co.uk.

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        Illuminating AI: Trends in interior lighting

        AI Lighting

        Artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm – and to some, it is all a bit scary. So, today, we are focussing on the fun side of AI – interior lighting.

        Matthew Currington, Technical Director of The Lighting Superstore, shares his insight into how we can make the most of intelligent lighting as the global smart lighting industry foresees growth of up to $ 27.7 billion by 2026.

        Artificially intelligent lighting is illuminating new ways to enjoy simplicity, cosy complexity and convenience within our homes.

        Gone are the days when you walked into a room and flipped a light switch that illuminated your living room with stark, one-dimensional lighting.

        Instead, developments in smart lighting offer personalised and optimised lighting to suit every need and mood.

        Today, there are many ways to manage your lighting from a smart device, fine-tuning it to your desired preferences and needs.

        Personalised preferences

        AI Lighting Smart Lighting

        Smart lighting has the ability to glean and store data over time about your lighting preferences in your home.

        If you prefer to be welcomed home after work to ambient, warm lighting in the entrance hall, and this is how you set your lights every evening, artificially intelligent lighting systems can learn this trend over time and make sure this is how you will find your lighting upon arriving home.

        Smart lighting can automatically sense and adjust depending on the time of day. When the sun starts to set, lights will automatically turn on and switch off when it’s light outside. They do this by picking up natural light levels and adjusting brightness or dimness accordingly.

        Scientifically, we know that when the sun starts to set, this signals our bodies to produce melatonin and become sleepy. Known as a wind-down routine, lights that dim slowly over time in the evenings might even improve your sleep.

        Colour tuning and dynamic ambience

        Artificially intelligent lighting, with the ability to adjust the brightness and colour in one single lightbulb, can set the atmosphere and mood within your home.

        Bright lights make one feel alert, stimulated and productive, whilst warm and gentle lighting brings feelings of relaxation and luxury.

        This allows for dynamic use of rooms within your home. Your open-plan living room can quickly transform from a blue and energetically lit late-night workspace to a relaxing space illuminated by warm orange sunset tones.

        Throwing colours into the mix adds another dimension altogether which is completely possible with AI lighting – the rainbow is yours to play with.

        Light control

        AI Lighting Smart Lighting

        Smart lighting allows you to switch lights off and on based on various factors such as occupancy, motion detection and the time of day.

        These features can provide you with safety and security you have at your fingertips.

        Smart motion-detecting lighting will provide you with safe passage if you get up in the middle of the dark night.

        Or if you’re going away on holiday, you might like to have your lights set to come on when they detect natural light levels dropping, giving any opportunist thieves a reason to think someone is still home. If you’re looking to play your part in being a responsible citizen and lowering your energy usage or want to trim your energy bills, then smart lighting gives you the power to do so.

        Convenience is at the pinnacle of smart interior lighting. The ability to command your home’s lighting, ambience and mood with a simple gesture or voice prompt makes life just that much more pleasurable.

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        Ethically sourced Bert & May tiles from Hyperion Tiles

        Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles’ latest collections include encaustic tiles for eye-catching floors and walls.

        The handmade, artisan tiles, designed by Bert & May, are ideal for bathrooms and all inside or outside areas.

        Director Richard Skeoch explains: “Encaustic, or cement, tiles are becoming increasingly popular for those looking for versatile tiles with the wow factor. Encaustic refers to the firing process that burns the glazed pattern onto the tile surface or cement tiles, which have been inlaid with pigment to create patterns and colours.

        “Our Bert & May tiles are handcrafted, using traditional techniques and natural colours. Designed in the UK, they are hand-poured by a family of fourth-generation artisan tile-makers in Spain and crafted with crushed marble to create extra strength and a beautiful, raw finish. Options include plain designs, while patterned styles can feature anything from two to six different colours.”

        Bert & May Hyperion Tiles

        Pictured above is the clever design tessellations of Bert & May Tilt Marigold Tile (£156 per sq m). As showcased in Pearl on the floor, the tiles work well in retro/rustic settings and are suitable for both interior and exterior walls and floors.

        Pictured below left is Bert & May’s Manarola Tile (£144 per sq m), incorporating a diamond shape for a fresh twist on a classic design. This creates a beautiful pattern suitable for both large rooms and small settings.

        Pictured below right is the classic neutral shade of Bert & May’s Brighton Stone Encaustic Herringbone Tile (£209.95 per sq m). It works well on its own, paired with a patterned tile, or combined with other colours from the herringbone collection (pic credit: Samuel Heath).

        Hyperion Tiles Bert & May
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        Four Points by Sheraton expands in UK with Edinburgh hotel

        Four points by Sheraton

        Four Points by Sheraton made its brand debut in Scotland with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh in the heart of the city centre, marking the brand’s second property and strengthened presence in the UK.

        Four points by sheraton

        Designed with smart, independent travellers in mind, the property features 69 stylish guestrooms, an onsite bar and Amalfi-inspired restaurant, Almafino, promising an immersive dining experience that celebrates the authentic culinary traditions of Italy, complete with a centrepiece pizza oven.

        With its central location just steps away from Haymarket train station and one stop from the airport, the hotel is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers seeking a memorable stay in the historic city. Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh has easy access to many of the capital’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princess Street, a bustling shopping destination. After a busy day exploring, guests can unwind with Four Points’ signature Best Brews programme, which showcases local craft beers such as Innis & Gunn and Ossian on tap.

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