Spec Finish

26 www.thefis.org NEWS COMMUNITY Minster’s two new appointments Specialist distributor Minster has strengthened its teamwith two new appointments. Joining in a newly created role is Technical ServicesManager, Coral Morgan. Coral has worked in the industry for over 26 years, amassing an extensive level of technical knowledge. She has been appointed to provide a central technical support function, offering solutions and product expertise to colleagues internally, as well as supporting projects nationwide. Sophie Jenkins-Downes has also joined the Minster team in the role of Sector Sales Manager South – Fire Protection. Sophie has extensive knowledge of various construction systems and their impact on fire protection and fire stopping solutions, having worked in the industry for the last 17 years and brings with her a wealth of experience and commercial success. Rap Interiors announce change of ownership Some 34 years after setting up Rap Interiors, founders Rick and Julie Anderson, are handing over the reins to new family owners. While they will both maintain a role on the board of directors, Rick and Julie are passing ownership to family members, Parry Anderson and Martyn Pilcher. Parry and Martyn are dedicated to maintaining the delivery of interior design, fit-out and refurbishment projects to the exceptionally high standard that Rick and Julie have upheld during their tenure. www.rapinteriors.co.uk Panelcraft invests £1m in machinery and technology Panelcraft Access Panels has gone through significant changes in the past two years; the first of which was new ownership by Access Building Products Ltd, which took effect in August 2020, however the business continues to trade as Panelcraft Access Panels to keep the familiar brand name. In addition, the company has invested £1m into state-of-the-art machinery and technology at its new, larger premises in Tamworth, Staffordshire. MickMcDonagh, Business Development Manager at Panelcraft Access Panels, said: “We are continually striving to update and develop new products in line with ever changing legislation demands, and this includes ongoingmonthly tests on fire, smoke and acoustic rated panels. “Panelcraft is in a greater position than ever to supply both stock and bespoke access panels to suit your requirements. As a group, we now have more than 300,000 access panels in stock, this is the largest stockholding of standard sized access panels in the UK, all available for next day delivery.” www.panelcraftaccesspanels.com/home or accessbuildingproducts.co.uk MEDITE SMARTPLY OSB manufacturing facility upgrade is complete After more than a year of transformative investment, the upgrade of MEDITE SMARTPLY’s OSB factory in CountyWaterford is complete. This new world class drying, energy and screening systemwill enhance resource efficiency and asset reliability for SMARTPLYOSB. For over 25 years, SMARTPLY has been supplying OSB to the construction industry, steadily building the brand over time and €44 million was invested for this latest upgrade to the facility. The construction of the biomass energy plant ensures that SMARTPLY will operate on 100% renewable biomass material for process drying and heating. The crucial upgrademeans that SMARTPLYOSBwill have an improved output, at a time when demand is high, and is predicted to grow further throughout 2022. Chris King, Managing Director – Commercial at MEDITE SMARTPLY, said: “This upgrade will allow us to deliver more sustainable, best in class timber panel products, and the increased output of SMARTPLYOSB will enable us to support existing customer positions and develop new market sectors and opportunities.” www.mdfosb.com aask us launches online shop for aluminium profiles Finishing designer and manufacturer, aask us, has launched an online store to support growing demand for aluminium products. The online shop will allow UK customers to order aask us’ core range of drylining trims and ceiling profiles, as well as some suspended system items, direct to project sites. The new store offers same day shipping on all orders and discounts for customers that sign up to its newsletter. Anthony Chadley, Managing Director at aask us, said: “Our new store allows us to reach a much wider audience and gives loyal customers an easier way to buy our most popular drylining solutions.” www.shop.aask.us SophieJenkins-Downes, Minster’sSectorSales ManagerSouthFire Protection Coral Morgan, Minster’s Technical Services Manager Rap Interiors directors sign the paperwork for company takeover The Panelcraft Access Panels plant in Staffordshire MEDITE SMARTPLY’s upgraded OSB factory in CountyWaterford OSB3 fromMEDITE SMARTPLY