First MCRMA Members Roadshow at Siderise

AT THE FIRST MCRMA roadshow, members had an exclusive opportunity to explore and discuss the changes affecting the construction sector.

Members of the MCRMA, the trade association for the metal cladding and roofing industry, were hosted by Siderise at its HQ and manufacturing facility in South Wales.

This members-only event was filled to maximum capacity as attendees gathered at the insulation manufacturer’s Maesteg plant. Here, last year Siderise’s new £1m state-of-the-art innovation centre was officially opened by the Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford.

MCRMA members heard from several expert speakers providing their perspectives on how the Building Safety Act is driving change and what it means for the future.

The event was organised by the MCRMA and association member Siderise as part of its ongoing programme to help all those involved in the metal building envelope supply chain to develop their skills and knowledge, and support them as they adapt to legislative change.

MCRMA Members Roadshow

The event started with a presentation by Stuart Wheeldon, Operational Policy Manager at the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). He talked about the challenges that the construction industry faces in terms of regulating products, the anticipated new regulatory regime and what OPSS is doing ahead of this.

Following Stuart was Gavin Hoccom, Senior Associate at Browne Jacobson, a leading law firm in the construction sector. He shared his interpretation of the new regulatory regime that now applies from the conceptual stage of the building envelope right through to its installation.

The presentations concluded with a session by Amanda Long, Chief Executive of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI). Amanda explained how the scheme is helping organisations achieve higher standards in the presentation of construction product information, prioritising building safety, and why this is key to delivering a higher quality, safer built environment.

Live Fire Test

After listening to the speakers and a lively discussion, MCRMA members then had the opportunity to witness a live fire test conducted by Siderise in its on-site testing facility, and learn more about the company’s fire, thermal and acoustic insulation solutions.

Chris Hall, External Affairs Director at Siderise said: “Siderise are committed to collaborating and assisting our peers as we mutually navigate the challenges we all face. As such, we were happy to provide our resources for the use of the membership, who we are sure would reciprocate.

“It is important that members face these challenges head on and prepare to be part of an industry that cares about the safety of the products (buildings) we design, build and live in.”

Carlton Jones, Director of the MCRMA added: “Thank you to Gavin, Amanda and Stuart for giving up their time to share their expertise with our members at what is a pivotal moment in the construction sector.

“In our pursuit of knowledge and engagement, it’s no surprise that we actively seek innovative ways to educate and inform our members. We extend our gratitude to forward-thinking member companies like Siderise, who stand with us in this endeavour, collaborating to inspire others to stay informed and up to date.”

The roadshow event was the first in a series planned by the MCRMA during 2024 with the aim of enabling members to develop a deeper understanding of the breadth of knowledge and resources available within the membership.

Find out more about the MCRMA.