Buildbase has launched an eco-room that brings together all the newest ideas to build a greener lifestyle.   Oxford branch has opened the showroom under the banner ‘Go Green at Buildbase’.  Children from nearby Garsington Primary School,   which has a bronze award in the Green Flag Eco-Schools scheme, performed the official opening.  Customers and guests were invited for a special preview.

The first-floor display is devoted to energy-saving and eco-friendly products and systems that can be specified for new homes or installed in existing properties.  It has information and sample products explaining the new technology so that customers can choose which concepts might suit their home.  It is designed for builders, architects, specifiers, self-builders, local authorities, schools, businesses and any homeowners looking to save energy and resources.
     

As well as a working solar panel display, there are less familiar products such as a Greenstore ground source heat pump system that harnesses ground heat in different ways.  Other new heating systems include a boiler which uses wood pellets in place of gas or oil or an air source heat pump that harvests thermal energy from the air.

A rainwater collection system stores water in a huge underground tank for use in the washing machine, toilet or garden.  Photovoltaic roof tiles produce electricity from solar energy.  Roof light tunnels are a simple way to increase internal light in place of lightbulbs.

One display shows how different energy saving insulation materials can be installed in walls, loft, roof and floors.  Even the timber flooring in the eco-room is made from bamboo, a quick growing, renewable natural material.

Richard Coles and Michaela Walter have researched and designed the new green eco-room at Johnsons Buildbase.  Speaking about the idea, Richard said: “There is no denying that more and more homeowners would like to live in a property that is as energy-efficient as possible.  Those in the trade - architects and builders - want to introduce this technology into their plans.  However the range of different products is vast and technically quite complex.  Our eco-room brings together many of the best designs all in one place. 

“We’ve worked with manufacturers to produce wall panels, diagrams and working products that explain the technology and what’s involved.  Michaela and I will be pleased to talk with customers about installation, suitability and all the other practical issues that arise.”
The eco-room is the first to be installed at a Buildbase branch.  The company has an environmental focus group which looks to introduce eco-friendly measures. Each Buildbase branch now has a BEM (Branch Environmental Manual) and a BEC (Branch Environmental Champion). A new brochure listing the most environmentally friendly products is also in production.  Other activities include paper recycling, energy-saving lightbulbs, solar panels and bio-degradable rubble sacks.

Buildbase was the first national builders merchant to introduce FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) timber in all its branches. FSC certification ensures that Buildbase PSE (planed square edge) timber and mouldings are supplied from well-managed forests that guarantee sustainable timber production. 

As Buildbase prepared to open its 150th branch, the company was honoured with another award.  At the Oxfordshire Business Awards attended by 500 members of the local business community, Buildbase was named Large Business of the Year. 

Buildbase was shortlisted together with two other strong contenders. An independent panel of judges named Buildbase the winner for its impressive performance during 2007. The award is all the more significant as the county is home to many large and successful organisations, most of whom have been established far longer than Buildbase.

When speaking to press afterwards Kevin Middleton stressed how proud he was to accept the award on behalf of every member of staff.  “The success of Buildbase is as a reflection of individual contributions throughout the organisation,” he said.

“Our first branch was in Oxford when we began trading 12 years ago and we have our head offices here.  Now we are truly a national builders merchant with a network of branches across the UK.”

Buildbase has scooped a prestigious safety award from the world’s leading training and advisory bodies.

Following tests by a strict independent adjudicating panel, Buildbase was given the International Safety Award by the British Safety Council.  Buildbase will be the only builders merchant to receive the BSC award at this year’s presentation ceremony.

Winners must have good safety policies, plans and commitment to health and safety at the highest level.  They must also be endeavouring to improve the safety culture within their organisation. They must detail their health and safety officers’ qualifications and provide information about significant advances they have made in health and safety for the year.

Health and safety manager Steve Follows said:  “To enter this award it’s necessary to fill in a 30-page document which looks at all our procedures in great depth.  We are really proud to get the award.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “I am delighted to send my congratulations to all those organisation being presented with an award by the British Safety Council.  These awards recognise the crucial success that these companies and their employees have achieved in their pursuit of excellence.

“We will strive to accomplish our goals in reducing the burden on employers and employees and cutting the 36 million working days currently lost each year through work-related ill-health and injury.”

Staff at Oxford branch and at head office have beaten their target to raise £55,000 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital (CHOX).  A cheque for £63,415.92 was presented to CHOX by David Robertson, a regional director at Buildbase, who has driven the fundraising campaign. The donation will support the hospital’s adolescent waiting area.

The presentation was made on Tuesday 22 April at half-time during Oxford United’s final home game of the season against Rushden & Diamonds which the team went on to win. Buildbase are main sponsors of the U’s and have recently signed a new two-year deal.

“When I visited the hospital site with some of my colleagues we couldn’t help but be moved by the project,” says David.  “Knowing that the hospital will help children from a wide catchment area means that it will benefit many families around the country.  A lot of staff have young families and will understand why a children’s hospital deserves our help.”
     

Activities have included golf days, a 24-hour billiards contest, a sky-dive, fun runs, sponsored walks, raffles and car boot sales.  David and four colleagues at Oxford branch walked 55km in a single day last year.  They set off from Johnsons Buildbase at 8am and all courageously made it to the final destination – The Lamb in Chalgrove – completing the route in 10 hours 45 minutes.  This is the second time that Dave has walked this incredible distance, despite having had a hip replacement.

“At some stages I wondered if we would actually reach our goal because £55,000 is a great deal of money to raise from two sites.  There are a few heroes who deserve extra thanks.  They took responsibility and organised events that we could all take part in.  But of course I am very grateful to everyone who got involved and did their bit.  We can all be very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Construction begins in readiness for May show

Buildbase has teamed up with garden designer Chris Beardshaw to create a unique feature which will be seen for the first time at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show.

The Design for Living Theatre is a completely new concept that promises to be a major talking point at the show which runs from 8-11 May 2008.  Chris Beardshaw has designed a theatre-like arena where visitors can listen to talks and interviews and see demonstrations from leading experts and celebrities from the world of gardening. 

Buildbase has worked with Chris to supply materials needed to build the feature.  The Buildbase Stage by Chris Beardshaw will provide a focus for the show where visitors can interact with the presenters and experts who are the public face of gardening.  Buildbase has delivered its supplies and construction has begun at the 30-acre site in the heart of the Malvern Hills.
    

Last year Buildbase supplied materials to help build Chris Beardshaw’s award-winning gardens at three of the most popular RHS events at Malvern, Chelsea and Hampton Court.

“We are very proud to be joining forces with Chris again to support this exciting project,” says Nigel Bullock, landscaping manager at Buildbase.  “As a builders merchant we carry a superb range of paving, walling and building materials to update your garden.  We have been able to supply the products that Chris needs for the stage area which is bound to make an impact at the show.”

Show visitors will be able to enter a Buildbase competition to win the paving material to build a beautiful patio worth over £800 in the same stone as Chris’s garden feature.

Malvern is also staging the Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship which is open to experienced and up and coming designers.  The winner will be announced at the show and will receive a year’s mentoring with Chris, attend an RHS course and go on to create gardens at Malvern Autumn Show 08 and the Chelsea Flower Show in 2009.   The scholarship competition has resulted in the greatest number of show gardens ever entered at Malvern.

Buildbase has just announced a new two-year sponsorship deal with Oxford United FC. Having supported the clubs as its main sponsor for the last seven seasons, Buildbase will be proud to have its name displayed on the club’s shirts for the next two years.

Oxford United chairman Nick Merry said: “Buildbase have been superb sponsors for the last seven years and their unstinting loyalty and support has never wavered. We enjoy an excellent working relationship and are very proud to continue to wear the Buildbase name on our shirts.

“The partnership goes much deeper than just the kit sponsorship. Buildbase offer a discount to season ticket holders, were one of the major players in the gift of the superb bronze ox at the stadium and have always offered their help and support over the years. Their name has become synonymous with Oxford United and we are proud to have formally signed the new deal just ahead of Saturday’s home game against Farsley Celtic.
     

“The fact that such a progressive company as Buildbase wishes to back us once again shows the faith and support that the local business community have in Oxford United.”

Buildbase director Peter Butterfield, was equally pleased with the extension to one of Oxford’s strongest partnerships. He said “The new sponsorship marks a total of nine years since Buildbase first struck up a partnership with the club. This probably makes us one of the team’s longest, if not the longest shirt sponsor. Like the many thousands of faithful fans we are pleased to have stayed loyal to Oxford United and are optimistic for the future of the club.

“Oxford United has given a lot of enjoyment to thousands of fans over the years and plays a key role in the local community.  Buildbase has strong connections with Oxford and we are pleased to be associated with a long-established local club. 
Many of our staff and customers follow the U’s and we are behind them all the way,” says Peter.

Local boxing hero Amir Khan reopened EBM Buildbase in Bolton following an extensive refurbishment. A £750,000 investment has been made at the 3.3-acre site.  The four-storey former cotton mill has been transformed with many new facilities including Hirebase, a new self-select area, brick library, timber and other warehouses, extended bathroom and kitchen showrooms and new offices and trade counter. 

Outside improvements include a new traffic management system, customer walkways, new yard racking to increase storage and a hard landscaping display. Branch investment also includes new HGV crane vehicles and fork-lifts.

Local boxing hero Amir Khan visited the branch, met customers and officially reopened the branch.   EBM Buildbase has supported Amir’s new boxing academy for youngsters by supplying many of the building materials for its construction.

The business was established in 1972 and joined Buildbase in 2005.

“The branch has always has always put customer service first which is why we have many long-standing, loyal customers,” says manager Peter Dobson, who has 31 years’ service with the business.

Harlow Buildbase in Cambridge Road, Old Harlow, is the company’s largest ‘greenfield’ development to date.  Opening its doors for business in February the branch occupies a three-acre site on the outskirts of this busy town.

The existing warehouses have been demolished and a superb new purpose-designed builders merchant now occupies the site. 

The large trade stores area includes ironmongery, plumbing and heating, decorating, workwear and tools and everything else you would expect from a full service builders merchant. In the warehouse and yard area there are huge stocks of timber, bricks, aggregates and rainwater goods.

On the mezzanine first floor a kitchen and bathroom showroom has over twenty five fully-tiled displays. There is also a dedicated Hirebase counter and outside a large hardlandscaping area displays many paving and walling products.

Manager Tony Archer has 27 years’ industry experience.  Other key managers include assistant manager Mark Yardley, Hirebase manager David Martin and John Grosh who manages the kitchen and bathroom showrooms.  Seventeen new jobs have been created with the opening of the new branch.

Manager Tony Archer, said: "Buildbase is delighted to be opening a new branch in Harlow and we are looking forward to welcoming customers to this impressive site. We offer a superior service all-round for our customers to show why Buildbase has been named best national builder's merchant. We're a traditional, friendly builders' merchant and we aim to offer a personal service at a local level, responding to the needs of our customers, whether they're in the trade or enthusiastic home improvers. We have wanted to bring Buildbase to Harlow for a while and have found the perfect site. We chose Harlow because it is a growing town with a strong local economy and lots of building and refurbishment work."