COMPANY PROFILE
KNAUF INSULATION UK & IRELAND SALES DIRECTOR
STUART THORPE OUTLINES HOW ITS GLASS AND ROCK MINERAL WOOL INSULATION PRODUCTS CAN HELP BUILDERS ACHIEVE NZEB STANDARDS…
Tell us about your career in construction My career in construction and building materials goes back almost 40 years. I started out in sales for timber merchant Arnold Laver. I then joined SIG UK for 25 years in various management roles, before moving to Knauf Insulation as sales director UK (North) in 2018. I’ve been sales director for Ireland since 2022. performance & airtightness in buildings What can manufacturers do to support specifiers and contractors? Manufacturers have a responsibility to make life easier for specifiers and contractors. The first step is providing accurate, transparent documentation that helps people make the right decisions for their project. Information must be clear, reliable and easy to access so that contractors can build with confidence. Convenience also matters. Products should be readily available, pleasant to handle, straightforward to fit and designed with real site conditions in mind. Just as importantly, manufacturers should back their products with dependable technical support. Our technical team is always available to advise on solutions, regulations and best practice to help ensure projects stay on track. How important is buildability and real performance to meet Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards? Performance on paper only matters if it can be replicated on site. Mineral wool is easier Maximising thermal
“Our technical team is always available to advise on solutions, regulations and best practice to help ensure projects stay on track.”
MEET KNAUF INSULATION’S IRELAND TEAM
to install correctly than rigid insulation products like PIR because it adapts to the structure and minimises gaps that compromise thermal performance and airtightness. This improves the consistency of the installation and gives a more reliable route to compliance. Real performance also plays a critical role in preparing buildings for low- and zero- carbon technologies. Getting the basics right ensures these technologies operate efficiently and maximise energy and emissions savings. How is Knauf Insulation planning to meet increased demand for glass and rock mineral wool insulation? We are investing significantly to support long-term demand. Major upgrades at our St Helens and Cwmbran plants have already increased our capacity for glass mineral wool. We are also planning a new rock mineral wool facility in Shotton, North Wales, which will add more than 100,000 tonnes of annual capacity. These investments ensure reliable supply across Ireland and give our customers confidence that products will be available when needed.
Stuart Thorpe, UK Sales Director – Ireland, UKSP and Roofing.
Keith Cahill, Regional Sales Director.
T: +44 (0)844 800 0135 E: info.uk@knaufinsulation.com www.knaufinsulation.co.uk
Niall Mallon, Project Specification Manager.
www.nibuilder.co.uk
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