Supporting its suppliers and offering access to a wide choice of products in the interiors industry, distributor Encon Insulation and Nevill Long hosted more than 60 plasterers, decorators, merchants and main contractors for a Knauf Readymixed Finishing Solutions event at its Nottingham and East London branches.
As the main distributor of Knauf’s new Airless Finish spray plaster and trusted source of advice, Encon welcomed customers to a fact-filled morning of demonstrations, question and answer sessions and hands-on training. Using a high pressure piston pump machine, Knauf’s Airless Finish range can be applied up to four times faster than conventional plastering methods and does not require a direct water supply on site.
Colin Moss, Owner of Colin Moss Plastering attended the event in Nottingham and commented: “I found the morning invaluable as I’d heard about spray plasters before but this gave me the chance to really get to grips with it before trying it on a job. The team at Knauf were really knowledgeable and I thought it was amazing that Encon lent me a pump machine for free on my first job – a newly extended, open plan kitchen, approximately 100m2.
“Knauf also sent out a member of its technical team to offer guidance on my first job, which was extremely helpful. The Airless Finish product is very easy to use and the finish is top notch! I’ve already started using it on my next project; a 3-bedroom house refurbishment of approximately 350m2 and the speed of application is really noticeable. I would highly recommend that anyone thinking about using spray finishes attend one of these events.”
To further support end users, Encon has purchased two high-pressure piston pump machines, which it will loan free of charge to those trying the technology for the first time. Speaking on this and the demonstration days, Chris Barlow, Product Development Director at Encon, said: “We’re really pleased with how the demonstration days have gone and are encouraged that a number of those that attended have already started using Knauf’s Airless Finish products out on site.
Indeed, there is one job in progress that we are currently supplying, which will result in 20,000m2 of finished wall alone. The purchase of the spray machines seemed like a logical step if we were to offer the support we pride ourselves on providing. The machines will represent a significant investment for tradespeople so we felt the opportunity to try the technology for free before purchasing would be extremely useful to those considering using these products on their next project.”
In addition to the demonstrations, Encon, in partnership with Knauf, provided free drinks and breakfast rolls, as well as a goody bag containing money-off vouchers, accessories and a t-shirt. What’s more, everyone who attended the events was entered into a raffle to win a mini iPad.
Chris Barlow concluded: “Our hope is to make these types of events a regular feature during 2017 and we would be open to hear from any of our suppliers looking to engage with customers in this way. There is no substitute for hands-on training and the ability to ask questions face-to-face with leading manufacturers, as well as peers in the industry, is a valuable resource for all of our customers.”
For more information about Knauf, visit: www.knauf.co.uk
