A state-of-the art £500,000 Innovation and Technology Centre (ITC) has been officially opened by the leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Councillor Mohammad Pervez, at Building Adhesives Ltd in Trentham.
Councillor Pervez opened the Centre alongside the Company’s Managing Director, Peter Bell, at a special launch event on March 11th.
Founded in 1963, Building Adhesives Ltd specialises in the development, manufacture and distribution of tile adhesives, grouts, sealants, decorating and associated building products through its Dunlop and BAL branded products.
Revolutionising training in the tiling and decorating industries, the purpose-built ITC delivers a significant upgrade on the firm’s current Training Academy and features a state-of-the-art demonstration auditorium, practical training bays and meeting rooms.
Providing the perfect platform for training in tiling and decorating techniques, skills and product use, the multi-use venue is available to a range of people in the construction industries including apprentices, installers, architects, specifiers, distributors, retailers and colleges.
A full programme of courses is available at the Centre, helping to raise standards across the industry and support vocational qualifications. Bespoke courses are also available to suit individual requirements.
Mr Bell said the investment in the new facility was part of the company’s overall strategy as the market-leader to increase its training provision and help raise standards across the industry.
“The opening of the Innovation and Technology Centre is proof that we are committed to not only providing the best products, but also the complete package of support for our customers, distributors and suppliers including technical support and training,” he said.
“Building Adhesives Ltd was the first manufacturer in our sector to offer industry training — and the first to open a training centre — so training and development has always been fundamental for us.
“From our highly qualified team of scientists, to our technical advisory team, customer support teams, marketing and administrative departments, we are dedicated to leading the industry in innovation and training. The Innovation and Technology Centre provides another milestone in the construction industry and cements our place as the market leader.
“The construction of the Innovation and Technology Centre is also evidence of our continuing commitment to manufacturing in the city of Stoke-on-Trent and providing the community with a superb training facility to develop skills and support industry qualifications.”
Dave Rowley, Dunlop Training Manager, who has been leading training at the company for more than 20 years, added: “The Innovation and Technology Centre provides a significant enhancement of our training facilities and allows us to cater for a larger number of delegates than ever before.
“The large auditorium provides seats for 40 delegates, with a capacity for 100 delegates, and features high spec A/V and projection facilities and removable training bays for high impact practical demonstrations and theoretical presentations.
“We can also provide theoretical training and presentations in our state-of-the-art meeting room, while our practical training bays can be altered to provide realistic environments as the training course requires.”
A number of college students have already taken part in training at the centre, and bookings are now being taken for upcoming courses.
