For over 40 years, Professional Builder has been the favoured magazine of the building trade, picked up each month from merchant trade counters by more than 120,000 tradespeople. As we delve into the January issue to look at some of the articles, latest new products and advertising campaigns from the industry’s active suppliers, take advantage of PBM’s unique insight into the buying habits of your key customers to make more trade counter sales.
Condensate Pro
Installation kit
Professional Builder travelled to the Hope Valley in Derbyshire to meet Dave Smith, a plumbing and heating engineer by trade and the man behind Condensate Pro — an easy-to-fit solution to stop condensate pipes from freezing. Effective insulation for condensate pipes is a high priority for those in the know in the plumbing and heating sector and, whilst there are a number of solutions on the market, Dave was not satisfied.
He said: “There are millions of boilers fitted with substandard external condensate pipe protection with pipes that freeze easily and account for a substantial amount of boiler breakdowns in colder months. During these times, the number of heating engineer call-outs spike as people struggle to get access to heating and hot water in their home — but this can be reduced simply and quickly,”
After various design refinements and field tests, Dave’s answer is already proving to be a hit with the Condensate Pro kit, including specially designed UV/water resistant lagging and bond and seal adhesive, designed to offer a complete solution for every external termination.
https://condensatepro.co.uk/about-us/
Permaroof
Flat roofing solutions
A fascinating article saw Adrian Buttress, MD of EPDM rubber roofing specialists PermaroofUK, discuss the daily challenge of navigating the flat roofing market and why product selection is so important for a high-quality end result.
He argued that with new products regularly coming to market, roofing contractors are often faced with a complex choice at the merchant counter. One way to navigate this, he urged, was for contractors to take a full system approach that includes a membrane, adhesive, tapes and primers, guaranteeing that everything will work together.
He said: “Installers should always stick with an industry proven system that is fully traceable and ties in with a specification and BBA certificate. For me, this is the only way to keep a high standard of roofing in the UK”
https://www.permaroof.co.uk/the-permanent-flat-roof-people
Brett Martin
Cascade system
A piece from Brett Martin argued that whilst real cast iron rainwater systems bring a traditional, aesthetically appealing look to a refurbishment project, “they are expensive and time consuming to work with”. For builders looking for easy-to-install and economical alternatives, the company contended, modern plastic materials can meet customer demands for heritage aesthetics without the “cast-iron price tag”.
Designed with full consideration to original features, dimensions and detailing, the firm says that its high quality Cascade pipework, fittings and hoppers can create a cast iron look for less.
http://www.brettmartin.com/en-gb/plumbing-and-drainage/products/cast-iron.aspx
Bosch Professional
Cordless combi
With the introduction of its GSB 18V-55 Professionalcordless combi drill,Bosch says that the trades now have access to a brushless motor in the entry-level segment for the first time. They have a high-level of efficiency, are more durable than DC motors and, at the same time, are maintenance-free. It is suitable for mid-range applications or screw diameters of up to eight millimetres, drill diameters up to 35 millimetres in wood and 13 millimetres in metal.
TIMco
Abrasives
TIMco has expanded its selection of abrasive products to include a wide variety of abrasive rolls, sheets, pads, discs and belts. The company hopes that the tear and crack resistant backing paper, heat resistant resin adhesive and premium-quality abrasive gritin its ADDAX abrasives range will find favour with those in the woodworking and decorating sectors.
The range also includes sandpaper rolls in a wide variety of grit and in three colours — yellow, green and red — to reflect the thickness of the backing paper, as well as lightweight, premium and heavy duty.Steel wire wool in coarse, medium and fine grades is also available.
https://timco.co.uk/19473-abrasives
Google Nest
Nest Pro
Indicating how seriously it is treating the trade market, Google Nest repeats its double-page spread (we first referenced this back in our October 2019 edition) to showcase its range of connected and energy-saving smart thermostats — the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E.
The ad also features the company’s wider range of smart home products, including the Nest Hello video doorbell, the Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm and the Nest Hub.
Rocket Door Frames
Pocket Door Systems
Promoted as “The steel alternative to wooden pocket door kits”, the company offers a selection of sizes to fit standard UK door widths and its systems are said to be “easy to fit, easy to use and easy to live with”, all backed up by a 12-year warranty.
https://www.rocketdoorframes.co.uk/
Makita
Brushless 18V
A busy advert from Makita highlights just how much it is expanding its range of brushless 18V tools — coupled with the ‘super fast’ charge times offered by its Twin 18V Li-ion batteries — which are all designed to ensure longer run times are available from smaller, more compact machines.
Premier Tech Aqua
One size doesn’t fit all…
The wastewater and water storage specialist is using its ad in the latest edition of PB to remind the trade that different jobs will often require bespoke solutions. Stating that it has a range of fully approved products — designed and tested to meet BS EN 12566-3 and 2020 regulation compliant —to rise to whatever challenge might be encountered on site.
https://www.premiertechaqua.com/en-gb
Hoppings
SmartFrame
‘4×2 but not as you know it’ is a great lead-in to this ad from Hoppings. Re-imaging an industry staple can’t be for the faint-hearted, but the company confidently argues the advantages of its Tanalith-treated, structural grade Scandinavian softwood which is suitable for use above ground and for in ground contact, and is offered with a 25 year performance warranty.
https://www.hoppings.co.uk/products/smartframe/
