Bond It
3 in 1 Wood Treatment
To add to its Drive Alive range, Bond It has launched 3 in 1 Wood Treatment — a microemulsion universal wood preserver that is said to kill active woodworm and termites whilst protecting against re-infestation and wood rot. According to the company, the product’s formula is based on a combination of fungicide and insecticide formulations andcontains zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), whilst remaining water-based, non-flammable and quick drying.
The preserver is based on a combination of fungicide and insecticide formulations and is certified to European and British Industry standards.
https://bond-it.co.uk/uploads/redactor/BDWTR5%203%20In%201%20Wood%20Treatment_24_04_2019.pdf
Kärcher
EASY!Force Trigger Gun
In an attempt to combat repetitive strain injury in the workplace, Kärcher has released the EASY!Force Trigger Gun, on which the trigger is located at the back of the handle. The recoil force of the water jet automatically presses the trigger into the palm, contributing to stress-free and effortless use.
In addition, the activation lever is pressed only once to start the pressure washer, meaning that less holding force is required for continual use. According to the manufacturer, the new design will aid in relieving the strain on the fingers, hand and arm muscles by a considerable degree.
Verona
Al Fresco
Providing an alternative to flagstones and decking, Verona has launched its new Al Fresco collection. With a neutral colour palette from cool grey through to warm beige, the range offers a 20mm thick premium porcelain for outdoor use, 10mm indoor tiles, and a selection of finishes including travertine, concrete designs and wood-effects.
Each stone-effect is available in either a large square or rectangular format, with the wood-effect porcelain tiles available in a traditional plank size, all with a matt finish. The 20mm outdoor tiles have an R11 slip rating, while the 10mm indoor tiles are R9 or R10. The collection comes with a 10 year guarantee and is said to be fade resistant.
https://www.alfrescotiles.co.uk/
Arbor Forest Products
Merchant training
Three merchant chains have reported an increase in their timber sales after staff successfully completed a comprehensive training programme provided by Arbor Forest Products which covers the supplier’s full range of products including carcassing, mouldings and decking. Building and Plumbing Supplies, Chandlers Building Supplies and EH Smith have all recently completed the training programme, and the merchants are now reaping the benefits of their staff’s increased knowledge and confidence with timber.
EH Smith, for instance, has sent a total of 50 members of staff on Arbor’s training programme in recent years, and has reported that timber sales at the company has grown by around £4 million since its participation in the programme began.
Similarly, Building and Plumbing Supplies has similarly experienced increased staff confidence in the team members who completed the training with Operations Director Graham Stanley suggesting that this has led to staff engaging more with customers who were buying timber and, consequently, an increase in sales.
Chandlers, meanwhile, has reported that its timber category is up £500,000 in sales for the first six months of the year compared with last year.
The training programme is provided in two stages: “trainees” start by completing the detailed timber training workbooks over an agreed period, with each individual monitored by Arbor Forest Products staff during this time. This is followed by a visit to the facility at New Holland to gain a ‘live insight’ into the timber milling, treatment plants, and MDF factory and dock areas.
Peter Kelly, the supplier’s Training Manager, commented: “Our training programme is designed to give our merchant customers a greater understanding of the products they are selling to customers every day. For us, it’s about building long-standing partnerships with like-minded businesses, and it’s fantastic to hear that there is compelling evidence that our training can impact directly on sales.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming more merchants’ staff to our facility this year and helping them give their timber categories a boost.”
