In response to changes it is seeing in both the IG market and the wider construction sector Kommerling UK has announced a number of new business initiatives.
Phil Turley, who has over 30 years experience of the glass and glazing market will take on a consultants role and act as a conduit for clients, helping them to recognise the problems they face and then to identify the right solution. He will also work with Chris Davis and the R&D team, based in Germany and help them to communicate their work, with regards to facades, as architects to continue to push the boundaries of how glass is used in modern construction.
Alongside this the company has established a pan-European Liquid Composites group, that will be looking at how its developing knowledge and expertise of liquid composites can be used across the PV/solar sector, the wind sector, wider manufacturing and in the development of new solutions for modern building facades and structural glazing. Leading this activity in the UK is Chris Davis, formerly of Glazeguard and a recognised industry expert on glass composites. As part of this role Chris has already established close ties with the Facade Technology Research Group at Cambridge University and is talking to a number of leading main contractors, including Arups and Eckerlsey O’Callaghan about other long term projects.
Les Elliott, who joined the company in 2010, will take on a more national role, focussing on both existing and new customers. With new legislation surrounding the removal of mercury from polyurethane products due in 2017, several customers are having to review their production systems and seek alternative products or approaches. ‘One of the biggest challenges that the IG manufacturers face is that two-part Polyurethane components which don’t contain mercury take longer to cure; this means that they require more space and time for their production, both of which has a cost implication. Kommerling can provide solutions that will help to alleviate some of this problem. With increased customer awareness of environmental and waste management issues, Les is also spearheading the promotion of the company’s sealant remnants recycling scheme.
At the same time Lee Foulkes is taking the lead in managing the merger of both the CIL products and staff, following Kommerling’s acquisition of the company last year. With the CIL brand well established in its key markets there are no plans to change the product names but work is underway to align the positioning and develop one website for all products and application information.