MCRMA: Adding strength in depth to the building envelope project team

Clare Fenton, Chair of the MCRMA (Metal Cladding & Roofing Manufacturers Association), explains why a variety of mainly small businesses providing specialist technical services are the unsung heroes of successful building envelope projects. 

“Key to the success of every building envelope project is, of course, the deployment of the right products and systems, designed, manufactured and installed in the correct way. However, a diverse range of skills, experience and expertise is required in projects of all sizes to meet client goals effectively, and this means creating a team that is not only capable, but sufficiently flexible to accommodate the inevitable challenges that are encountered along the way.

That’s why the building envelope team selection, and indeed the squad that is available as a whole, is so important. Much like how a football manager preparing for the World Cup will need to consider the line-up of players needed to deal with a wide variety of situations, including the unknown, anyone responsible for delivering a construction project must have the right players available to maximise their chances of success. 

‘Industry support’

To help roofing and cladding systems manufacturers and installers form their ideal building envelope team, the MCRMA has always welcomed members from a wide variety of ‘industry support’ businesses. Depending on the project, these businesses may need to go straight into the starting XI if they are fundamental to the project, or they may need be better placed strategically on the bench to provide an extra resource or specialism for the project should it be required.

Industry support members of the MCRMA include providers of building envelope design and detailing services, testing and accreditation services and consultants who can provide design calculations. The technically skilled disciplines offered by these businesses are key to ensuring a proposed building envelope system will meet the performance targets and comply with all legislative requirements, including the Building Regulations.

Independent inspections

Equally crucial to the success of building envelope projects are independent inspectors. This is why the MCRMA membership includes businesses and individuals providing these services, not only to step in to assist when things go wrong, but also to work proactively with system designers, manufacturers and installers to reduce risk throughout the project.

There is also support for manufacturers and installers prior to the project through members whose specialism is in business development and technical marketing consultancy. Specialists in these disciplines, who understand the dynamics of the building envelope sector, can play an extremely valuable role given their ability to help bring products and services to the market with a strong proposition and enable manufacturers and installers to win work as a result.

A final dimension to the MCRMA’s industry support membership is insurance. Having a leading insurance provider available to support members is hugely important because they are able to advise on the necessary insurance and risk management procedures for all businesses involved in building envelope projects – helping them stay compliant and protected. 

Focused on being ‘the complete supply chain’

The depth and breadth of skills and technical expertise within our membership means we can support our mission to be ‘the complete supply chain’ – as we promote in the tagline next to our logo. It also means our members are able to collaborate and access the support they need from early concept designs to post-installation inspection and maintenance in any roofing and cladding project which uses metal products or systems.

But there are broader benefits to the industry as a whole. Having a multi-dimensional membership is one of the reasons why the MCRMA has been able to develop extensive technical resources that are regarded as highly authoritative across the construction industry. This includes numerous technical whitepapers on different aspects of the metal building envelope, many of which are CPD certified, and training courses that are open to anyone looking to build their knowledge and skills in this important element of construction.”

To find out more about the support available from the MCRMA and to access our technical resources, visit mcrma.co.uk.

Contact:

Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA),
106 Ruskin Avenue,
Rogerstone,
Newport,
Gwent,
NP10 0BD.

Tel: 01633 895633

www.mcrma.co.uk

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