Air Design is formed and enters the heat recovery market Plumbfix now in NI Air Design is committed to delivering energy efficient air handling solutions Fluidmaster strengthens core business Pochin moves into the West Midlands Fluidmaster, the world’s largest manufacturer of toilet tank components and trim, has bought Slovenian company Kolektor Liv, one of the leading European providers of sanitaryware products, for an undisclosed sum. Robert AndersonSchoepe, chairman and CEO of Hereford-based Fluidmaster, said: “This acquisition supports our corporate objective to continue strengthening our core business in 8 Got a story? Ring us on 01732 748041 or e-mail twood@unity-media.com BUSINESSNEWS PEOPLENEWS FEBRUARY 2014 HEATING & PLUMBING MONTHLY Graphic designer joins brassware manufacturer UK brassware manufacturer, VADO, has appointed Aaron Kennedy to its marketing department as graphic designer. Aaron will be concentrating on the company’s numerous design and artwork requirements, including catalogues, adverts and packaging. Miles Pluckwell, VADO’s marketing manager, said: “At the rate we are growing it is vital we continue to deliver projects Stelrad Radiators takes on new business director UK radiator manufacturer, Stelrad Radiators, has appointed Garry Naughton as business director. Garry joins from Zehnder Group, where he was responsible for the UK commercial business, and has had a longstanding relationship with Stelrad as a supplier to the company. BSW appoints health and safety officer BSW Building Services, a central heating and renewable energy specialist, has taken on Dawn Spouge as health and safety officer. Dawn’s duties include carrying out assessments to identify potential risks, ensuring accident reporting follows proper procedures, raising awareness of health and safety through training and visiting job sites to spot-check heating installations. New chief executive officer at Aqualisa David Hollander has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the Aqualisa Group. David joins Aqualisa from Dyson, and will officially commence his new role on February 3. David said: “I am relishing the prospect of helping the business, its people and its investors achieve success.” WWW.HPMMAG.COM A new name has emerged in heat recovery. Air Design is a manufacturer of air handling units (AHU) and heat recovery units based in Netherton in the West Midlands. With ranges encompassing the latest technologies in component parts - plug fans with variable speed drives, fans with EC motor control drives, high efficiency thermal wheels, plate-to-plate heat recovery, plug-and-play control options, Air Design also has the capabilities to meet the requirements of specialist and bespoke applications. The new specialist supplier is located in production and office premises in excess of 3,000 square metres, close to Elta Group headquarters in Kingswinford. With an emphasis on product quality, value and consistency, the Air Design range of AHUs is designed and manufactured with in-house systems developed to achieve and maintain the level of quality vital in manufactured products. Samples are continually inspected and assessed in order to ascertain what changes may be incorporated in the manufacturing process to improve the finished product. Working in tandem with its strategic partners, Air Design is committed to delivering energy efficient air handling solutions. This commitment is resulting in the company’s continued investment in more efficient and technologically advanced products. Only by making such investments will the company ensure its clients are fully compliant and derive maximum benefit in terms of reduced running costs while helping to conserve the world’s finite resources. Plumbfix has invested in its Northern Ireland presence with the launch of its first four trade counters in the region. Situated in Screwfix stores, the Plumbfix counters opened in Ballymena, Belfast and Newtownabbey on January 13, and in Bangor on January 27. The launches are the latest in the company’s increasing network, which now has more than 270 counters across the UK. Sandra Everett, senior marketing manager at Plumbfix, said: “Our first counters in Northern Ireland, give qualified plumbers in the area the chance to buy products at a time and place that suits them. Northern Irish customers have been shopping at plumbfix.com for many years, so we are delighted to now be able to offer them the counter experience.” East Midlands independent plumbing and heating merchant, Pochin, has acquired the West Midlands merchant, Plumbwares. The deal for the Stourbridge business, is Pochin’s first in the region following years of investment in the East Midlands. Pochin has acquired 100% of the share capital of Plumbwares, for an undisclosed price funded by the independent business and will trade as a subsidiary of Robert Pochin. Plumbwares will retain its name. While it will be business as usual, customers will benefit from access to extra product lines brought in by Pochin. the European market, in part by adding to our cistern product portfolio.” The structure of employees and the management of Kolektor Liv, marketing sanitary products under the existing LIV and Schwab brands will remain in place. Todd Talbot, Fluidmaster president, added: “We are excited about this particular location as a base for expanding our European operations.” Follow us on Twitter: @HPMMag Plumbwares’ Mike Clarke and Pochin’s David Pochin
HPM February 2014
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