Innovators in the education construction sector take centre stage at Interbuild
(21/10/2009)

Innovators in the education construction sector have taken centre stage at this year's Interbuild show with the event's first major award ceremony taking place - the Interbuild BSF Innnovation Awards.

Six awards were bestowed on companies competing in five categories, following a full day of judging by experts including Andrew King, New Projects Development Director at Bovis Lend Lease; Helen Aston, Transformation Lead at Birmingham Local Education Partnership and Mike Donovan, Transforming Education Principle Advisor for Birmingham City Council.

In the 'Best sustainable product' category, the competition was so tight that the submissions from HushTex and Steelway couldn't be split and were awarded joint winners.

Best M&E innovation went to E-Stack, a pioneer in low energy natural ventilation systems for schools. The company's spokesperson, Shaun Fitzgerald, says: "Our system is already installed in 20 across the UK and this award is further endorsement of the importance of our technology."

Other category winners included Polyflor for 'Best building fabric innovation', Steljes for 'Best ICT innovation', and Furniture Keystage, which picked up the 'Best product for enhancement of learning' award.

In the Construction Forum, education remained a strong debating theme with guest speakers including Sal Wilson from Partnerships for Schools, Ian Fordham from the British Council for School Environments and Robert Holt from Carillion. The day's keynote address was left to Dr. Peter Bonfield, chief executive of the BRE and Olympic Delivery Authority, who discussed whether London 2012 will be the most sustainable Games in history.

To cap off the day's proceedings, the visiting tradesmen to Interbuild Onsite were treated to a special appearance by Sylvain Guintoli, the Worx Suzuki British Superbike Team rider. Busily signing autographs and taking pictures, Sylvain was the star attraction and great addition to the pull of the 'truck and tools' hall.

The previous day commenced in style with the opening of the eagerly anticipated Construction Forum – the industry’s talking shop for all things related to the built environment. The conference arena played host to hourly speeches and group debates focused on the residential sector. Major public and private sector stakeholders presented valuable new market data and thrashed out arguments about how and when this hard hit sector will make a full recovery.

The keynote address was delivered by Eamonn Boylan, deputy chief executive of new ventures and partnerships at the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA). As well as outlining the government’s construction timeline and investment priorities for dealing with the housing shortage, Boylan emphasised the risks of reliance on long term public sector investment saying that the HCA’s budgets were in place until March 2011, but then “all bets were off”.

On the issue of private sector funding for affordable and social housing via section 106 framework, he was equally emphatic: “Is it dead? Well, if it’s not then it’s certainly in intensive care”.

Later in the Forum programme, Trevor Beattie – corporate director of strategy at the HCA – joined senior representatives from Kier, Persimmon and Galliford Try in a social housing debate.

Over at BRE Tomorrow’s World – a showcase of the latest greenshoot technologies – small incubator businesses had, for the first time, an opportunity to pitch new innovations to potential buyers and investors.

Philip Charles – deputy delivery manager for the Modern Built Environment KTN – also provided an introduction to BRE Tomorrow’s World as part of a captivating seminar programme, which runs throughout the show.

But it’s not just all talk. Glassex@Interbuild exhibitors are already benefiting from the added profile that the industry’s leading construction show brings to the biggest glass and glazing exhibition. Nelson Graham, Sales Manager at Bohle, says: “There’s no substitute for getting your products into the hands of a captive audience like this. We’ve been surprised already by the sheer volume of specialist glass companies coming to the show and have sold more kit off stand in one morning than across entire shows elsewhere. For us, Glassex@Interbuild is making a great debut.”

Interbuild Onsite is also boosting visitor numbers with the major attractions of the major tools providers like Irwin, Bahco and Worx along the big commercial vehicle brands like Vauxhall and Renault. Meanwhile, Ford is making Interbuild a visit to remember by giving away UEFA Champions’ League tickets as part of an interactive football challenge.