ig elements celebrate record sales month

IG Elements celebrates its best sales month on record

ig elements celebrate record sales monthIt’s a time to celebrate at IG Elements as June 2018 saw them achieve their best monthly sales figures since the company was established in 2011. IG Elements is an offsite component manufacturer providing house builders and architects with quality composite products including entrance canopies, dormers, chimney stacks, bay window roofs and door and window surrounds.

As house builders continue to adapt to new challenges within the industry such as increased demand for housing and a shortage of a skilled workforce, offsite manufacturers such as IG Elements are providing solutions to overcome these challenges. The IG Elements product range is manufactured in a factory environment ensuring the product meets high quality standards. The product design allows for quick and easy installation minimising the need for skilled tradesmen on site and avoiding any time delays due to external factors such as adverse weather conditions.

Liam Kelly, Managing Director at IG Elements commented “With IG Elements ever increasing stature within the GRP market we are pleased to announce our best ever sales month on record. So far this year we have seen the business grow from strength to strength. We are continually investing in new innovative production methods to respond to the needs of our customers and help house builders overcome the major challenges in today’s construction industry.

This is a fantastic achievement and we want to thank all of our customers for their continued support. Customer service is a core aspect of our business, the team at IG Elements use their technical expertise to provide the best possible service for our customers. This fantastic result is a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of everyone at IG Elements and we look forward to building on this in the future.”

 

IG elements apex door canopy

Understanding the role of offsite components in response to the UK’s housing challenge

Understanding the role of offsite components in response to the UK’s housing challenge

IG elements apex door canopyThe offsite sector now accounts for an estimated 7% of total construction output in the UK, worth £1.5bn to the economy and growing annually as offsite
technologies become recognised as a solution to some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. These include the severe skills shortages, a housing shortage plus the drive to eradicate risks to workers’ health and safety onsite. The debate surrounding housing supply and the Government’s plan to build two million homes by 2020 has clearly identified the need for a rapid switch towards alternative construction methods as an important step towards making this target achievable.

House builders are now actively pursuing relationships with offsite manufacturers in a bid to develop solutions which will shorten build programmes. The much reported skills shortage is growing as Brexit uncertainty is increasingly deterring foreign workers from entering the UK, adding further impetus for change.

Offsite solutions come in different shapes and complexities and while the number of complete factory built, or modular houses is growing, they are still not appearing in very significant volume. On the other hand, the use of offsite components to assist traditional build is now widespread. Offsite is not being promoted as the answer to every situation because for some bespoke builds with a high degree of personalisation, factory built offsite solutions may not be cost effective. For many house builders however, new offsite options are delivering welcome advantages for both the designer and the client.

window dormer ig elementsA dormer window would be a good example of a labour intensive task for a skilled joiner onsite, requiring multiple trades to construct. Compare that process to a factory built dormer which benefits from economies of scale and enhanced quality as it is managed at every stage of production. The process to insulate the dormer in a factory environment for example is likely to result in a far superior finish without the voids or gaps in insulation which often occur onsite, resulting in cold bridging issues.

High quality build detailing is a positive benefit for house builders presenting properties for sale and the value of kerb appeal is not going unnoticed. This, together with the skills issues are just two of the reasons house builders are increasingly turning to IG Elements for practical solutions.

Liam Kelly, MD at IG Elements, explains the company’s approach to the market’s challenges.

Innovation

In an increasingly unpredictable world, we believe the best response is to focus on innovation which enhances the way we work and meets the challenges faced by the industry today. Closing the gap between designed and built performance should feature heavily within the R&D team of every building material producer.

It is important that the construction industry delivers a build quality and performance that matches the architect’s vision, unhindered by an onsite shortage of skills or labour. This is our challenge as a material producer and we are responding with innovation which is delivering effective, simple-to-use products, which facilitate the realisation of that vision.

Working in partnership with Architects & House Builders

bay window roof black, offsiteAt IG Elements, we are addressing these challenges through a process of continuous improvement and welcome feedback with both architects and house builders to understand their views and priorities.

Early engagement in the build process reaps benefits as being involved at the design stage adds efficiency, streamlining the process as details are incorporated into drawing packages. This early intervention also ensures the products are developed to meet site requirements cost effectively but most importantly, in a way that won’t threaten the original design.

At IG Elements, we take time to understand our customers, their build process and how best we can ensure the smooth running of the supply process. We liaise with the build teams at every stage, from the pre-start meetings, right through to after sales support.

The Future

We will continue to engage further and deeper with those in the industry looking for new solutions to their everyday needs in the face of changing demands. Ease of installation combined with quality detailing is vital as the labour market tightens and skills shortages mount. Our job is to innovate for easier installation, reducing the number of tasks to be completed onsite while at the same time raising energy performance levels.

Predicting what the future has in store for our industry is a challenge but one thing for sure is that it will involve more change. At IG Elements, our response is to increase investment in innovation with a clear focus of helping the industry overcome the barriers currently in the way of greater output and higher performance standards.

International Women in Engineering Day- Priya Rai

International Women in Engineering Day- Priya Rai

To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, Priya Rai provides us with an interesting insight into her role as a Design Engineer at IG Elements. Priya explores what her normal working day involves and the great opportunities there are for women joining the engineering industry.

What made you want to develop a career in engineering?

After studying Product Design at A-Level along with Maths, Physics and Business, I decided to continue developing my skills further at University. I felt Product Design incorporated all of the individual subjects I studied and allowed me to utilise my interests collaboratively. Being able to solve problems and find solutions through design is what made me want to pursue this subject as a career. It gives us the opportunity to improve our lives & create better outcomes by challenging what already exists and looking at things from a new perspective.

I studied Product Design and Technology BSc at Loughborough University for 4 years. As part of receiving my diploma in professional studies, I worked as a creative designer for a year within a company specialising in POS/retail design. Once I had graduated, I decided that I wanted to broaden my knowledge and skill set by experiencing the technical aspect of design, which is how I came about joining IG Elements as a design engineer.

Describe your normal working day?

My role involves creating site specific drawing packs for buyers and architects, which provide technical information for the offsite building solutions we provide at IG Elements. Using 3D design software called Solidworks, we take the information provided on customer working drawings and model our products onto their individual structures, in order to provide a realistic outlook of what we can offer them. This process can involve modifying existing products or creating new solutions which better suit the needs of their projects. Liaising with buyers, technical designers and architects at this stage is vital to ensure all aspects have been covered and that they are therefore happy to commence with manufacture.

Another task involves creating BOM’s for our ERP system on Microsoft NAV, for all new designs and variations in order for the products to be planned into production accordingly. BOM’s are completed once an internal production drawings has been approved – these log the routing and materials required to make each unit within our factory. For some customers, using GRP within the building industry is a relatively recent development and as such it is important that as a team we are always available to provide technical knowledge and help answer customer queries, to ensure they feel confident with our products and the installation process.

What is your favourite thing about your job?

I love the experience of working in a fast paced environment and utilising the new skills I have learnt in order to help provide outstanding customer service. I enjoy being able to explore new solutions for the construction industry and helping to design products which alleviate the housing and skill shortages currently in the UK as a result. Having the opportunity to communicate with various customers and suppliers has greatly increased my confidence and knowledge of the industry. Finally, taking on projects and overseeing them independently from conception through to the product being delivered on site is great experience and insight to the complete design process.

What has been your career highlight to date?

Being involved in designing new products and watching them progress through to the final outcome is something I value. Before working at IG Elements, I had zero knowledge about fibre glass and over the last year I have learnt a great deal of information particularly relevant to GRP within our sector. I feel the skills and personal progression I have gained in my role can be transferred to multiple industries and provides a great platform for me to further my development.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering?

Go out there and explore the opportunities, have your say and make it count.

Richard Dolben

IG Elements Strengthen Team

As part of the continued growth and investment plans, IG Elements, a leading GRP building component manufacturer has strengthened the Production and Commercial teams with the appointments of Richard Dolben and Shama Mahmood.

Richard Dolben has recently joined the business as Production Director. Richard has over 20 years of management experience, gained at companies including Jeld Wen to draw upon. In his new role, Richard will be responsible for the management of IG Elements’ two production facilities in Overseal and Woodville. Richard’s appointment reflects IG Elements’ plans to develop their production processes to ensure their customers receive the best service possible.

Shama Mahmood has recently been appointed as the Business Development Manager. Shama has been with IG Elements from August 2017 working as Operations Support and Customer Service. In her new role Shama will be responsible for maintaining and developing IG Elements growing customer base in the Eastern region of the UK.
Both Richard’s and Shama’s appointments reflect IG Elements ambitious plans to strengthen its reputation and expand its infiltration into the Private Development and Social Housing marketplaces.

Offsite Components Adding Kerb Appeal to Volumetric Housing

The offsite construction sector accounts for an estimated 7% of total construction output in the UK, worth £1.5bn to the economy. Offsite technologies now have the potential to address some of the most persistent challenges facing the industry, including severe skills shortages and drive to eradicate risks to workers’ health and safety onsite.

The debate is now raging in the housing sector, where the Government’s plan to build two million homes by 2020 is thought to be unachievable without a rapid switch towards alternative construction methods.

For this reason house builders are working closely with manufacturers looking for solutions for a quicker build programme. Offsite technologies come in different shapes and complexities. The much reported skills shortage is a reality and while complete factory built or modular houses are not appearing in volume, the use of offsite components is now widespread.

Offsite is not being promoted as the answer to every situation because for some bespoke builds with a high degree of personalisation, factory built offsite solutions may not be cost effective. For many house builders however, new offsite options are delivering welcome advantages for both the designer and the client.

A dormer window would be a good example of a labour intensive task for a skilled joiner onsite and requires multiple trades to construct and finish it. Compare that process to a factory built dormer which can benefit from economies of scale and the process can be quality managed at every stage of production. The process to insulate the dormer in a factory environment for example is likely to result in a far superior finish without voids or gaps which could occur if insulated onsite leading in time to cold bridging problems.

In a tough market, first impressions count and offsite components can add considerable kerb appeal to volumetric housing. IG Elements provide a range of offsite solutions which will provide answers to the well documented skills shortage and the housing crisis.

Innovation

In an increasingly unpredictable world, we believe the best response is to focus on innovation which enhances the way we work and meets the challenges faced by the industry today.

Key challenge to close the gap between designed and built performance should feature heavily within the R&D team of any building material manufacturer. It is important that the construction industry delivers both the design quality and build quality of the architect’s vision, unhindered by an onsite shortage of skills or labour.

This is a challenge for construction material producers, to innovate and evolve simple-to-use products, which facilitate the efficient delivery of that vision.

Working in partnership with the house builders

At IG Elements, we are addressing these challenges through a process of continuous improvement and we always welcome feedback and engagement with housebuilders to understand their views and priorities.

Early engagement is important between a supplier and a house builder. If the supplier can be involved at design stages then it is more efficient and a simple and straightforward process to incorporate the details into drawing packages. It also ensures the products are developed to meet site requirements cost effectively but most importantly in a way that won’t threaten the original design.

At IG Elements, we take time to understand our customers and their build process and how best we can ensure the smooth running of the supply process. We liaise with the build teams at every stage of the process, from the pre-start meetings right through to after sales support.

Some of the feedback we have received from customers has resulted in enhancement to our service including new Site Support Packs and Minor Repair Kits which negate the need for call-out charges for minor onsite issues.

The future

We will continue to engage further and deeper with house builders who are looking for new solutions to their everyday needs in the face of changing demands. Ease of installation is vital as the labour market tightens and skills shortages mount. Our job is to innovate for easier installation, reducing the number of tasks to be completed onsite.

Predicting what 2018 has in store for our industry is a challenge but one thing for sure is that it will involve more change. At IG Elements, our response is to increase investment in innovation with a clear focus on making things easier and more efficient for house builders.

IG Elements is at the forefront of the offsite manufacturing sector and supply many of the UK’s leading house builders with a range of factory built components.

Liam Kelly IG Elements

Expanding the Elements

Liam Kelly IG ElementsIG Elements may be a relatively new name to some in the trade but as MD Liam Kelly explains, the company is making its presence felt strongly across an increasingly impressive product range, bringing offsite benefits to builders across the UK from its base in Derbyshire.

How has 2017 been for IG Elements?

2017 has been a big year with over 40% growth as we have felt the full effects of the buoyant market. We are really proud of the customer service we are providing as we grow.
Our big push is to maintain the level of support we provide to our customers which we believe is above and beyond anything our competitors currently offer. We are taking a bespoke approach to what we do rather than just trying to bang out standard products.

This means we take time understanding our customers and their build process and how best we can ensure the smooth running of the supply process. We liaise with the build teams at every stage of the process, from our pre-start meetings right through to aftersales support.

Some of the feedback we have received from customers has resulted in enhancement to our service including new Site Support Packs and Minor Repair Kits which negate the need for call-out charges for minor onsite issues.

What are you investing in?

We are investing in new state of the art production techniques which will give customers an even greater level of consistency, making the installation process easier onsite. This type of product has historically been very labour intensive to produce, but with the labour market as it is now we are investing in more labour efficient production facilities.
By the end of this year we will have tripled our production capacity, leaving us ready to service our customer’s growth expectations.

What are your popular products?

Entrance canopies are the most popular product. The skills shortage is well documented and these products remove the need for skilled work onsite. We provide a number of flat, apex and curved canopies to suit a range of house types. I think the variety we provide helps to make these a very popular product.

That said we are experiencing growth across the board as builders increasingly see the benefit of taking elements like dormers and bays offsite, sometimes in the face of real quality problems with in situ built items. In the case of chimney stacks there really is no site built alternative to the quality and appearance of these lightweight items.

Why would builders choose IG over the alternative suppliers?

Buying offsite components is not like buying most other building materials. These are not standard stock products and they are bulky, so not ideally suited for storage onsite. This means the supplier must have excellent systems to ensure the correct manufacturing and call-off response.

Our approach to this gives our customers total assurance when placing their business with IG Elements that they know exactly where they stand in terms of cost, delivery and after sales support.

Where are the challenges in your business?

With rapid growth it’s normal to have some challenges in terms of production and maintaining the level of service customers have become accustomed to. We have addressed these issues by opening a new factory which will triple our capacity. Also, the provision of our Site Support Packs and Minor Repair Kits have helped to reassure our house builder partners of the seriousness with which we take their projects.

Getting the small detail right is the secret to success in these products. For example, with dormers, we have to deal with a range of different roof angles and pitches, varying sizes of windows etc. As dormers form a part of the building fabric we also need to ensure we meet building regulations with the correct level of thermal efficiency.

What’s next for IG Elements?

We have an ambitious 2020 plan and we are continuing to invest heavily in premises and improved services throughout the business as we diversify into other composite materials. We are also developing new products including a range of garage doors and sewage systems, which will see our portfolio of products increase significantly.

Burton Mail Business Awards Manufacturer of the Year

Burton Mail Business Awards ‘Manufacturer of the Year’

Burton Mail Business Awards Manufacturer of the YearIG Elements is honoured to have won ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Burton Mail Business Awards 2017, which took place at the Pirelli Stadium on Thursday, 19th October.

IG Elements is a rapidly expanding company with a bright future in the growing composites industry. We have a very specific 2020 vision and in order to fulfil this we have invested heavily in a new premises, to a raft of new staff and to improved services throughout the business.

We take time to understand our customers and their requirements, their build process and how we can partner with them to ensure the smooth running of this process for them. We constantly seek feedback and work to ensure we are always bettering ourselves and the service we provide.

Liam Kelly, IG Elements MD, commented;

“With so many outstanding businesses represented from across South Derbyshire and East Staffordshire, we are honoured to have won this award which recognises our commitment to the industry. We are continuing to invest in the business over the coming months and years to ensure our growth and dedication to manufacturing remains as strong as it has done over the last three years.”

Burton Mail Business Awards Logo

IG Elements Shortlisted for ‘Manufacturer of the Year’

Burton Mail Business Awards Logo

IG Elements is delighted to have been shortlisted for ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ at the Burton Mail Business Awards 2017. IG Elements has expanded rapidly over the last 18 months, with improvements and expansion across the board, including production, increased sales, new marketing initiatives, innovative new products and a rising workforce.

Having outgrown our original production facilities, our second 60,000 sq ft production space in Woodville became fully operational on the 1st March this year, which has enabled us to triple our production capability. We are vastly increasing the number of moulds we are producing which has allowed us to improve the range of products in our portfolio, allowing us to service a greater number of projects for our customers.

We take time to understand our customers and their requirements, their build process and how we can partner with them to ensure the smooth running of this process for them. We constantly seek feedback and work to ensure we are always bettering ourselves and the service we provide.

Liam Kelly, IG Elements MD, commented;
“We have a very specific 2020 vision and in order to fulfil this we have invested heavily in our new premises, a raft of new staff and improved services throughout the business this year. We are continuing to invest in the business over the coming months and years to ensure our growth remains as strong as it has done over the last three years. We are therefore thrilled to be shortlisted in a category that recognises our commitment to the industry.”

The Burton Mail Business Awards evening will be held at the Pirelli Stadium on Thursday, 19th October in a glittering black tie event with all sponsors and finalists attending. We wish all finalists the best of luck on the day.

Ask the Expert: IG Elements

IG Elements is a company that prides itself on taking its role seriously within the production chain. Liam Kelly, Managing Director at IG Elements shines a light on what the company has to offer across the house building landscape.

What is the company ethos/guiding principle?

At IG Elements, partnership is at the very crux of our business. We don’t see ourselves as a supplier, we are a partner in creating a finished product. I think this ethos has driven our success – we are committed to the customer and we take our role in the production chain extremely seriously. As part of The Keystone Group, our guiding principles are those of Innovation, Fun, Quality, Technical Expertise and Commitment. These were voted for and endorsed by our staff and are lived out in everything that we do as a company.

IG Elements GRP Process

What sets IG Elements apart from its competitors?

The level of support we provide to our customers is above and beyond anything our competitors offer. We take time to understand our customers and their requirements, their build process and how we can partner with them to ensure the smooth running of this process for them. We constantly seek feedback – positive or otherwise – and work to ensure we are always bettering ourselves and the service we provide. We liaise with the build teams at every stage of the process, from our pre-start meetings right through to aftersales support. The feedback we have received from customers has resulted in the provision of Site Support Packs to address the needs of our customers onsite, and Minor Repair Kits which negate the need for call-out charges for smaller onsite issues.

What specific area/product are you most focused on investing in?

We are focused at present on our moulding techniques. We are moving away from our traditional practises towards a more futuristic technique, which will bring a greater level of consistency to our products.

How do you show your commitment to the natural environment?

We recognise that conducting our business in a way that minimises environmental impact, promotes positive interaction with the community and accords with sound ethical standards brings benefits to all concerned. We understand that sustainability must be at the forefront of operations and methods that we utilise to achieve these goals include sourcing of sustainable materials from ethical suppliers, working with the local community to provide opportunities and manufacturing energy efficient parts while minimising waste during the production process. 50% of our products utilise FSC certified timber and we are committed to minimising our waste packaging.

How do you minimise inefficiency within your manufacturing processes?

Due to the nature of our offsite construction techniques we naturally minimise the inefficiencies which can be associated with onsite construction. Our move away from labour intensive open moulding towards a more automotive approach will decrease our inefficiencies even further. Our aim is to produce 50% of our output in this way by 2020.

What is your most popular product? Why?

Entrance Canopies are our most popular product. The skills shortage is well documented and these products remove the need for skilled work onsite. We provide a range of flat, apex and curved canopies to suit a range of house types – I think the variety we provide helps make these a really popular product.

Entrance GRP Canopy IG Elements

What complexities arise with each different style of dormer?

There are a number of complexities at play when it comes to installing dormers. We have to negotiate a range of different roof angles and pitches, varying sizes of windows, differing situations – bedrooms, bathrooms, offices etc. We also have to ensure we keep abreast of any changes with legislation regarding thermal efficiency and ensuring compliance with these. As dormers form part of the fabric of the building they need to maintain the same thermal efficiency as other parts of the fabric.

What has been the company’s biggest success to date?

Our ability to cope with our massive growth has been our biggest success. The growth we have experienced over the last three years has been exponential. We have had no less than a 40% increases year on year over the past few years and we are delighted to be moving in this direction.

What has been the company’s biggest challenge to date?

With this growth we have experienced some challenges in terms of production and the service to customers have become accustomed to. We have addressed these issues by the opening of a new factory which has tripled our capacity, the provision of our Site Support Packs and our Minor Repair Kits, all of which have helped to reassure our house builder partners of the seriousness with which we take their projects.

How does quality and innovation appear within the business?

As with all member companies at The Keystone Group, innovation is at the very core of what we do at IG Elements. We are committed to improving our offering and to being ahead of the market when it comes to new quality products. We are ISO 9001 and 14001 certified and are constantly striving to keep abreast of developments in the marketplace.

What is your opinion of the current level of training within the industry – how could training be improved across the sector?

The level of training has been a particular issue for the composite industry. Traditionally there have been no apprenticeship schemes available for our sector. Government funding has extended to various other sectors and we have suffered as a result in terms of attracting staff to come and work with us. Thankfully there is light at the end of the tunnel with the government’s new commitment to the sector as of this year.

How do you encourage customers to place their trust in your business?

Our commitment to providing the best service to out customers, to the partnership that we provide throughout the process and our ongoing support all come together to mean our customers can have total faith in placing their business with IG Elements. We have dedicated to each stage of the process, ensuring that customers know exactly where they stand in terms of cost, delivery and after sales support.

Would you consider IG Elements a forward-looking company?

Absolutely! We are committed to our 2020 vision and in our move towards this we have invested heavily in our new premises, to a raft of new staff and to improved services throughout the business.

How will the business look in five years?

We will continue to invest in the business to ensure our growth remains as strong as it has done over the last three years. In five years the business will have doubled in size and will have diversified into other composite materials. We are currently looking into a range of garage doors and sewage systems which will see our portfolio of products increase significantly.

Supply Chain Sustainability

IG Elements Receives Supply Chain Sustainability ‘Silver Status’

Supply Chain SustainabilityIG Elements has recently achieved Silver Status with the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

The school is a collaboration between major UK contractors and is designed to offer free training resources, networking events and action plans for suppliers across three learning areas – Sustainability, Management and Offsite.

As a GRP manufacturer, it was vital for us to become a member of the School, especially when it promotes the need for Offsite Solutions as a sustainable future in the house building industry. Achieving Silver Status actually takes us on par with some of the partners of the school, so this is a great recognition of the hard work we have put into achieving this.

IG Elements is committed to constantly improving and evolving as a supplier and we will use the resources available from SCSS to continue this.

Look out for us at some of the upcoming Construction events!