Kilwaughter Joins Innovation Showcase at BMF Parliamentary Reception

The BMF member company was one of 12 to exhibit at the event, which gave MPs and members of the House of Lords an opportunity to learn about cutting edge products in the building materials supply industry.

Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd shone a spotlight on its innovative K Systems External Wall Insulation systems which provide thermal comfort, energy efficiency and savings, and aesthetic changes to a property to support the large scale retrofit to our current housing stock as well as delivering market leading A1 fire ratings. They also showcased their commitment to addressing the skills gap within the construction industry, not only with their drive to delivering easy to use and sustainable products for their render solutions from K Rend but the K Academy, which is their purpose built training facility to offer a range of high quality, practical courses for both brands and segments.

David Grace, Sales Director at Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd said: “ “As a responsible manufacturer we are constantly working to minimise our impact on the environment through our own operations but also the solutions we offer to our customers. We’re passionate about supporting our customers, communities and improving our industry and are proud to invest in ways to do this. It’s an evolving process but we are determined to make our contribution to longer term sustainability and create great outcomes for the industry. Its great to see how BMF are campaigning on behalf of our industry and be part of events such as this”.

The BMF represents a significant slice of the UK construction economy, with 900 merchant and supplier companies having combined sales of over £44.5bn and employing more than 206,000 people.

With a focus on Net Zero targets and BMF’s campaign for a nationwide retrofit strategy that would improve millions of homes, reduce emissions and drive down household energy bills, the reception was hosted by Andrew Lewer MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for SME Housebuilders.

Speakers at the event included Shadow Minister for Transport and for Business and Industrial Strategy, Bill Esterson MP, as well as Minister for Housing Lee Rowley MP and Sam Patel, Divisional Director at headline sponsor, UK Construction Week.

During his speech at the event, BMF CEO John Newcomb called for a drastic reduction in VAT for retrofit work in a bid to kickstart a programme of home improvements that would make the UK’s homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run.

He said: “Our members have shown decision-makers at the highest level the breadth of innovation in building materials supply that could improve millions of existing homes across the UK, which currently are among the worst in Europe for energy efficiency.

“UK homes use 35% of the UK’s total energy consumption and produce 20% of our total carbon dioxide emissions, with 28 million properties needing an upgrade if we are to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

“BMF members such as Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd have a key role to play in delivering the products and services needed for retrofit work, which will require a long-term commitment, but could create new meaningful jobs in every region.

“The BMF has pledged to secure 15,000 apprenticeship opportunities within the sector by 2030 because we want to get Britain building again – and reducing or axing VAT on retrofit work within existing properties would be a major financial incentive for homeowners across the UK.”