ASSA ABLOY and Lorient are delighted to return to the UK’s fastest-growing fire safety exhibition,The Fire Safety Event, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 28–30 April 2026. Located at stand 4/G50, these industry leaders will present a comprehensive range of complete fire door systems. Spanning an impressive 84 sqm, the stand will demonstrate the critical role that door hardware and intumescent sealing systems play in passive fire protection, showcasing how correctly s

Rinnai marketeer, Beckie Lam, presents the results of a representational survey of HVAC industry consultants & contractors on the subject of “The Future Role of Gas in UK Heating and Hot Water.” From this survey are findings on current confidence - or lack off – on the role of Natural Gas regarding future technologies and practises.   For free policy, opinion pieces, and more sign up for the free Rinnai newsletter today - https://www.rinnai-uk.co.uk/contact-us/newsletter-sign

SONAS Bathrooms , Ireland’s leading bathroom manufacturer, debuted two new collections – The Living Collection  and The Reed Collection  – for the first time in the UK, as the company returned to KBB  Birmingham for a second year. SONAS’ return to the show marked another step of the brand’s expansion in the UK, showcasing new ranges that are designed to support retailers with coordinated, display-ready bathroom solutions that combine strong design with practical consideration

Award -winning   kitchen design studio, Et Lorem , partners with British designers and curators of bespoke hardware, Hendel & Hendel , to host a co-branded ‘Lunch and Learn’ at Hendel & Hendel’s new London Experience Studio on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, 12–2pm.   Providing the perfect setting to cultivate innovation and explore new avenues of creativity, both brands have come together and invited the design elite to explore the latest collections by Hendel & Hendel, and how they

Rinnai Director, Chris Goggin, examines the impact of current geopolitics to the UK customer. Since the current Middle Eastern conflict began, costs have risen and are expected to rise and UK domestic energy security is again a debated topic of public interest.      Conflict in the oilfields of the Middle East will have a greater impact than desired with this being the second time in four years that fossil fuels have been weaponised due to military actions. And once again, cu

Sam Spencer, Specification Manager at Benx Façades, explores the factors behind the growing use of colourful cladding in the modern built environment. With colour being such a powerful tool in the world of building design, why should it be reserved solely for interior schemes? Used correctly, it can be invaluable for building exteriors, helping to create a clear sense of place and identity.  As well as being nice to look at, colour has been proven to have a very real impact o

Fiona Keysell, Director of Consultancy, and Jim Howlett, Business Development Manager – Public Sector at RenEnergy UK, explore the importance of solar PV to creating a net-zero healthcare sector. NHS England spends £1.4 billion on energy, making it the single biggest user of energy in the public sector. With this demand only set to rise, the value of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has become a strategic consideration for NHS estates as decarbonisation pressures fundamentally

Neil Turner, Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, advises on designing airtight buildings while protecting against moisture damage. Creating an airtight home is a fundamental part of modern building design, supporting energy efficiency and building performance, from meeting regulatory requirements through to high-performance standards such as Passive House. An airtight home eliminates leaks in the building envelope that should not exist. This is crucial for maint

Tradie influencers could play an increasingly important role in inspiring the next generation of construction workers, according to new research from  Barratt Redrow . More than half (58%) of Gen Z are now watching trade, DIY and building content on social media, highlighting the growing visibility of skilled careers online. To better understand this trend, Barratt Redrow surveyed 2,000 young people aged 13–28 about their attitudes toward apprenticeships, university and caree

A comprehensive refurb of the Mere Golf Resort & Spa included a completed M & E upgrade, delivered by AB Engineering, has given the site a high performance and cutting-edge building services across the hotel, spa and conference facilities. The multifaceted site has buildings dating back to 1924, meaning that a flexible design and technology approach was needed to deliver high volumes of DHW with limited onsite plant space – hence the Rinnai Hybrid system that combines high ef

Rotpunkt , leading manufacturer of climate friendly  German fitted furniture continues to make a difference to UK retailers having won ‘Best Kitchen Stand over 30m2’ at Kbb Birmingham, following the debut of its brand-new 2026 Collection that serves every room in the home.   Introducing a cross-programme of new furniture concepts, materials, and décors, Rotpunkt  showcased two hero kitchen displays that celebrated the key characteristics of Scandinavian design, alongside a fu

Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has been specified as part of the transformation of the former corporate office headquarters of telecommunications company Canal+ into an ambitious mixed-use development in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.   Originally constructed in 2002, the 28,000 m² l’Eiffel building comprises eight superstructure levels and five basement levels. Its reinvention required far more than a conventional refurbishment; it de

Ideal Commercial Heating – the UK’s market leader in high-efficiency commercial heating solutions – has expanded its CIBSE-approved training portfolio with the launch of a new CPD: ‘Commercial heat pump system design & specification’.   This latest CPD provides engineers with a comprehensive guide to selecting, designing and specifying commercial heat pump and hybrid heating systems, helping them navigate the accelerating shift towards low-carbon heat in commercial buildings.

A collaboration between Proctor Group and one of the north-east’s leading independent training providers is helping to share knowledge about up-to-date roofing products and practices. Optimum Skills Ltd, based in Gateshead, operates three construction academies training young people in slating, tiling and flat roofing (as well as bricklaying, joinery and groundworks). They work with all major roofing contractors in the north-east, helping apprentices through pre-apprenticeshi

Makita has expanded its professional cordless range with the introduction of the brushless and high performance BN001GZ and BN002GZ Framing Nailers. Built on Makita’s advanced XGT ®  40VMax platform, the models combine power, precision and reliability to deliver quality results no matter what the task is at hand.   The new framing nailers deliver powerful performance combined with the freedom and efficiency required on construction sites. Both offer a true pneumatic feel due