Elson enjoys market growth for bespoke packages

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Elson, the long-established hot water tanks heating company, is reporting a significant increase in demand for its packaged, pre-plumbed solutions. The company has seen growth in this product category over the last three years, driven by the need for efficient, neat installations that offer time and cost savings.

The company, which is part of the Baxi Group, provides installers and specifiers with a ‘mix and match’ choice of products from the Group’s portfolio, for a compact, easy-to-install solution.

Complete heating and hot water systems are assembled in the factory and arrive at site ready to be fitted. Once installed, a packaged unit gives an aesthetically pleasing, consistent result, and the well-designed systems take up the minimum amount of space. Packages can comprise thermal store units, boilers, unvented cylinders, heating control interfaces or low-carbon technologies such as solar thermal water heating systems and air source heat pumps.

Suitable for private and social housing developments, pre-plumbed systems make it possible for installers to meet tight deadlines, which are commonplace on new build and refurbishment projects. By having equipment arriving together, traffic to the site is reduced and time is not wasted waiting for parts. In addition, using products manufactured to the same high standards means they technologically complement each other, guaranteeing the integrity and performance of the system.

Clyde Brown, managing director of Elson, explains: "We’ve seen demand for our packaged solutions rise steadily over the last three years, but much more dramatically over the last 12 months, which is really bucking the trend in the tough market conditions. Customers really appreciate the benefits they offer, particularly when time and financial savings can make a critical difference to a project.
"There’s also plenty of options to choose from, allowing customers to tailor a package to suit their requirements. For example, we can provide a boiler and cylinder package, which features a Potterton Promax System boiler with a Heatrae Sadia Megaflo or Megatech cylinder. Or we can incorporate our Coral E direct thermal store into a stand with space and plumbing for a washing machine underneath or we can accommodate an underfloor heating manifold with an electric boiler.
"These integrated units are proving particularly popular for flats and apartments where space is at a premium as they provide a neat, uniform installation. For social housing landlords, they can also assist in helping control maintenance costs as the system will be serviced as a whole. Our customers also benefit from having to deal with only one supplier.”

Elson’s bespoke packaged solutions are devised by the company’s technical design team, with engineers available for site visits. They will advise on the best system, ensuring the finished product meets requirements. In addition, packages are supported by heateam, the largest heating OEM service provider in the UK. With a nationwide network of over 200 field service engineers and a team of highly trained call centre staff, heateam answers any installation queries and provides after sales support.

About Elson

Elson are a Baxi Group company and the UK’s leading manufacturer of hot water systems utilising rectangular combination tanks and thermal store technology. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of products together with all the benefits you would expect from being part of one of Europe’s leading Heating domestic Groups. In addition to our wide range of products, we offer a full support service for our customers. This includes advice on product selection and system type, a system design service, help during installation and guidance on how best to use the system. We are available at all stages to give friendly, qualified support.

Elson was founded in South Shields in 1919 and in 1923 started manufacturing the rectangular combination tank which quickly established the "Elson Tank” in the UK Market.

Elson is still based in South Shields and has been recognised as a leading name in hot water for over 90 years. We are constantly at the forefront of innovation and have an enviable reputation for quality and reliability. In recent years Elson has benefited from its association with Baxi Group, most notably from its substantial investment in research and development, particularly in the area of thermal store technology.

Be Modern Fuels New Racing Ambition

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Be Modern Group has selected 24-year-old James Appleby as an emerging new star in the BRSCC Ford Fiesta Championship, to sponsor and promote.
James, who drives a Class B Ford Fiesta prepared by Daniels Motorsport will be taking part in 16 races over 8 weekends at the UK’s top racing circuits during the 2011 season starting at Silverstone on April 10th.

Be Moderns Head of Marketing, Mark Hunter said: “We are delighted to be able to sponsor James at the start of his racing career. He is showing great promise and has a real determination to succeed in his first ever year of competitive motorsport.”

As an established manufacturer of high quality heating supplies domestic & commercial fires and fireplaces, Be Modern’s product range spans a broad customer base and wishes to attract new customers to the brand as well as supporting new young talent.

As well as receiving TV exposure through Motors TV, Be Moderns marketing team will be promoting James regularly, updating race results, pictures and videos on the

Be Modern website, www.bemodern.com James also has his own web site www.jamesapplebyracing.com featuring all the latest news and information regarding the car and his Championship progress.

James is pictured by his race prepared Ford Fiesta following extensive testing at Snetterton in Norfolk. James said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a young driver such as me and I would like to thank Be Modern and their team for all of their support during the coming season.” I am very excited and cannot wait for the season to start, it will be a learning curve this year getting to know the circuits and gaining experience in the car “

Company Profile

Founded in 1964 Be Modern is a group of companies dedicated to the manufacture of high quality fire surrounds, fires and heating equipment to a wide and diverse range of industries across the public and private sector.

Excellence in innovation, service and product quality has been constantly recognised by our customers and we are tried, tested and trusted by major organisations.
With over 500,000 square foot of manufacturing and warehousing space, we employ the same meticulous eye for detail and the highest standards of manufacture throughout.

Our factories operate to ISO9001:2008 and have recently been accredited with ISO14001:2004.

In December 2008 Be Modern was awarded with ‘Eco Product of the Year’ for its flueless gas range of fires – further demonstrating its commitment to the environment.

Quality Management System – ISO 9001:2008

It is the established policy of the Directors of Be Modern Ltd. to supply customers with a product which meets their requirements and is fit for its intended use.

The Organisation is committed to achieving and maintaining the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001:2008. The reputation of the Organisation rests on the high quality of its products hence all products are inspected throughout production and prior to release.

Customer complaints and concerns are addressed as the Organisation is committed to meeting customer requirements and ensuring customer satisfaction. The Quality Manager is responsible for ensuring that the quality policy of the Organisation is effectively carried out and has the full authority to implement and maintain policies and systems detailed in the quality manual.

This Quality Policy and further areas of the quality system are reviewed during management review meetings with the objective of continually improving the effectiveness of the quality management system.

Implementation of the Company’s Quality Policy on a day to day basis is the responsibility of individual departmental managers and is achieved by ensuring that all employees are aware and comply with the relevant areas of the quality management system.

CRANE Energy Flow Solutions® to Showcase its Trusted Brands at ASME Plant Engineering, Inspection & Maintenance Trade Show (Booth #123)

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Shenandoah, TX, USA (April 14, 2011) – CRANE Energy Flow Solutions®, a leading provider of highly engineered products for fluid handling applications worldwide, is pleased to announce its participation in the 9th annual ASME Plant Engineering, Inspection and Maintenance Trade Show (April 14, Pasadena, TX, USA; Booth #123). This ASME show, hosted by the Engineering & Maintenance Technical Chapter, focuses solely on the engineering, inspection and maintenance of refinery/petrochemical fixed and rotating equipment for Ship Channel and Gulf Coast plant professionals.

“The ASME Plant Engineering, Inspection & Maintenance Show is one that we look forward to year after year,” said Calvin Bohannon, Business Development Manager for CRANE Energy Flow Solutions. “It’s important, not only for our business because of the networking opportunities it presents, but also to the future of our industry because the proceeds benefit the ASME South Texas Section University Scholarship fund.”

In addition to promoting the services the company can provide through its CRANE Valve Services group, CRANE will showcase its Pacific® Wedgeplug Metal Seated Plug Valve, as well as the Crane 2009 edition, Technical Paper No. 410 (TP-410). Crane’s TP-410 is a technical resource for engineers, designers and engineering students that explains the flow of fluid through valves, pipes and fittings to aid in the appropriate selection of equipment for piping systems. Several copies will be raffled off for attendees at the CRANE booth.

About Crane

Crane Co. is a diversified global manufacturer of engineered industrial products traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CR). One of its segments, Crane Fluid Handling, provides highly engineered products for fluid handling applications worldwide.

CRANE Energy Flow Solutions® manufactures and sells a variety of valves for commercial and industrial process pipelines including: gate, globe, swing check, wafer check, nozzle check, resilient-seated butterfly valves, high performance and triple offset butterfly valves, metal seated ball valves and metal seated plug valves. Focused on the Energy sector including Power Generation, Petroleum Refining, Oil & Gas, and Commercial Construction, Crane’s portfolio of familiar brand names and highly engineered product solutions are widely specified and used throughout the world.

About Crane
Crane Co. is a diversified global manufacturer of engineered industrial products, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CR). One of its segments, Crane Fluid Handling, provides highly engineered products for fluid handling applications worldwide.
www.craneco.com

About CRANE Energy Flow Solutions®
Crane Energy Flow Solutions manufactures and sells Industrial Valves and Actuators for commercial and industrial process pipelines. Focused on the Energy sector including Power Generation, Petroleum Refining, Oil & Gas, and Commercial Construction, Crane’s portfolio of familiar brand names and highly engineered product solutions are widely specified and used throughout the world.

Engineered valve solutions for on-off, isolation, modulation, and flow reversal protection applications are offered in a broad range of materials, sizes, and pressure classes. Options suited to specific customer requirements are offered including multi-turn and quarter-turn valve designs, metal or resilient seating, and operational enhancements such as bypasses, gear assisted operation, and valve automation packages. By integrating after-market parts and services Crane offers one of the most comprehensive valve suppliers in the world.

Crane’s long history and experience of providing flow control products and parts and spares to new construction projects in a wide variety of piping applications has established a large installed base of products worldwide.

Backflow Prevention with NABIC Valves

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Water is one of our most precious resources! Of the total capacity available in the world only 3% can be classified as sweet water and less than 0.5% is suitable for drinking. With it’s increased use for domestic and industrial applications the risk of contamination of this vital commodity has greatly increased. The introduction of EN1717 and the new UK water regulations (known officially as "Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 1148 The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999") have confirmed the need for stricter control by including greater protection against pollution by backflow. In Europe and America it has long been common practice to fit anti-pollution devices to protect potable water against contamination by backflow and syphonage, the UK is now also acknowledging the benefits that the fitting of these devices can bring.

What is backflow? And what is the danger?

Backflow is as defined in EN1717 "Movement of the fluid from downstream to upstream within an installation" and occurs when either of the following conditions exist:

1. Back syphonage takes place due to emptying of upstream pipework and normally happens when the system is drained or a ruptured pipe causes discharge of the water.
2. Pressure in the downstream pipework is higher than the upstream pressure, this is caused by a decrease in the upstream pressure or external influences raising the pressure on the downstream side and is known as back pressure.

The danger that this condition presents is that any solution in contact with the discharge pipe can be drawn or pushed back up the pipe and finish up in the clean water supply systems and ultimately be consumed.

NABIC manufacture two types of product to ensure backflow prevention.

Reduced Pressure Zone valves operate on the principle of three chambers within a valve body, the pressure in the central chamber is controlled by two check industrial valves and a spring operated relief valve. This maintains a positive pressure differential between the inlet chamber and central chamber of 0.14 bar. RPZ valves operate on the principle of interrupting the continuity of supply and discharging any possible backflow to waste.

As the name suggests Pipe Interrupters are fitted into pipework carrying liquids to provide an air break. They can only be used on installations where the discharge is to atmosphere (i.e. the liquid is not subject to pressure in the vicinity of the pipe interrupter) and they are fitted in the vertical position with the flow downwards. NABIC pipe interrupters are classified as types DB and DC in EN1717.

About Nabic

NABIC is a leading brand of Crane Building Services & Utilities and manufactures a range of safety and pressure relief valves.It has been associated with the manufacturing of safety related products since 1864.
One of the UK’s leading suppliers of gunmetal safety valves, NABIC have long been recognised as the industry standard for commercial and industrial hot water applications. With the introduction of new and improved products this leadership has been extended to cover other building service fluids as steam and air.
Designed and tested to the latest British Standards with third party certified discharge capacities, NABIC valves are manufacturing under an ISO 9001 quality assurance system. This coupled with every valve being tested upon completion of assembly and also immediately prior to despatch ensures high product and parts and spares quality is maintained.
Ex-stock availability with ‘Same Day’ order processing ensures that quality of service matches that of product design and manufacture.

Kingspan Hot Water Systems Primed for Part L

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With impending changes to Part L Building Regulations planned for October 2010, Kingspan Hot Water Systems Ltd is leading the way having ensured its portfolio of high-performance copper hot water storage solutions are already compliant with new rules.

The standard is in line with the Government’s aims of making all new homes zero carbon by 2016. In addition to this any refurbishment work in existing homes carried out from October 2010 onwards will enhance the buildings energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

To contribute towards Part L targets of an average 25 percent reduction in building emissions, Kingspan Hot Water Systems has addressed the standing heat loss and subsequent efficiency levels of our hot water cylinders with increased insulation measures.

Our wide range of Range, Albion, Copperfom and Manco vented copper cylinders have been tested and modified to deliver low standing heat loss and keep CO2 emissions to a minimum.

The regulations have two sections; Part L1 covers the conservation of fuel and power in new dwellings and Part L1B covers the conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings, which will apply to the work undertaken in existing homes and covers replacement cylinders only (Part L1B insulation requirements are lower than those of Part L1).

To make identification clear as to which products are Part L 2010 compliant for which application, Kingspan Hot Water Systems will offer products with instantly recognisable labelling, providing separate labelling for cylinders for the replacement only market and those that can be installed in both new build and replacement properties.

It is understood that there are a number of Part L 2006 cylinder products still in the supply chain that may not be cleared through prior to 1st October 2010. In order to assist with the movement of these products transitional arrangements have been discussed with CLG. The following extract is the relevant clause:-

“……Where a contract for work has been agreed and the all the building work would fall within the types of work set out in Schedule 2A or Schedule 2B to the Building Regulations, the work may be carried out as if the amendments in the Amendment Regulations had not been made provided that the work begins before 6 April 2011. …..”

The interpretation of contract is – in this transitional period – as between manufacturer and distributor as the customer base buying these cylinders would not be placing individual contracts, the majority of sales being for the distress purchase/one-off market.

As the market leader in the manufacture of hot water cylinders, we want to lead the way in ensuring our products are as energy efficient as possible and in line with new regulations. This is why we’re already geared up for Part L 2010 with all Kingspan cylinders and accessories delivered after the 30th of September insulated in accordance with the new regulation.
Cameron Holroyd, Kingspan Renewables GB Managing Director.

About Albion Water Heaters

Albion Water Heaters are part of Kingspan Hot Water Systems Ltd, a division of Kingspan Renewables Ltd. The company manufactures a variety of water heating products – mainly domestic and industrial hot water cylinders and thermals stores in Duplex stainless steel and copper for use in open vented and unvented systems. Primarily a business-to-business company, it supplies its products to plumbers and builders merchants around the country.

Albion is a BSI registered firm with all sites licensed to British Standards Quality Assurance BS EN ISO 9001:2000. This means that all manufacturing plants are monitored by an independent inspectorate and the quality systems employed by Albion meet the stringent requirements set down. As a result, specifiers, stockists and end users can depend on Albion for consistent quality and supply.
Albion continues to develop energy saving and innovative hot water products for heating domestic and commercial and industrial applications.

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