We're partnering charity Apple Cast North West to support its structural insulated panels (SIPs) training project

We are delighted to donate £1,000 worth of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), to North West based charity Apple Cast, as well as making our knowledge and support available to them, in an exciting new construction project.

About Apple Cast

Apple Cast works with disadvantaged young people including those who are disaffected, involved in anti-social behaviour or struggling to come to terms with the school environment. Using skills-based learning, the charity offers a range of educational programmes to engage young people in various projects, including angling and fishing management, horticulture, agriculture and woodwork.

This project tackles the widespread shortage of construction skills

Now, the charity plans to help tackle the widespread shortage of construction skills in the UK by launching a new project, working in partnership with the team here at Hemsec, and focusing on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

MMC is a fast-growing sector, and the skills associated with it need to keep up with demand.

SIPs are a key component in MMC. They can be used for walls, floors and roofs, and mean that a building can be erected very quickly, and it will be of arguably higher quality than one made using traditional materials and methods. Arguably the biggest benefit of a SIPs building, however is that it is super-thermally efficient.

The technical details of the project

We are donating 16x SIPs of differing lengths and dimensions required to create the buildings designed especially for the Apple Cast project, which will consist of two temporary buildings.

It is important to note that SIPs are incredibly long-lasting, and can be used also for permanent buildings, from the smallest garden room, to large luxury homes and huge warehouses.

The reason they are temporary in this case, is so that following completion, the buildings will be dismantled enabling the programme to recommence the next term.

One of the Apple Cast buildings is a single-storey bungalow with a pitched roof, with the construction all taking place outside. The second installation will be built under cover.

Their construction gives Apple Cast the platform on which to train the young people, teaching them valuable skills, including the importance of the planning and design stage, the safe handling of the SIPs and of course installation on site.

The duration of the build is 38 weeks with each student working two days a week and will be repeated in future years, for successive groups of students.

The project starts during January 2021.

Apple Cast chose Hemsec's panels because of their quality and accuracy of the joints

Neil Farnworth, CEO of Apple Cast North West said, “Apple Cast has several buildings that have been built with SIPs over the years, including our respite facilities, a community angling club, conference facility and offices. SIPs are ideal for all kinds of build projects, whether large or small.

“We were keen to work with Hemsec because the quality of their SIPs is so good; for example, the pinpoint accuracy of their recess joints.

“The UK desperately needs more people to get involved with construction; and this plan will do exactly that, providing young people with opportunities to learn how to use SIPs and understand the benefits. It will also teach them vital intergenerational skills and teamwork.”

Stephen Painter, MD of Hemsec said, “We are delighted to work with Apple Cast North West. We are a family-owned company with family values, and they share these values. They also share our passion for SIPs and their advantages, especially the speed of build, thermal efficiency, strength and durability. The charity has a fantastic track record making a big difference to young people in communities across the North West and we are looking forward to the start of this important initiative.”

Thank you for your interest in this article. If you'd like more information on the project please contact Apple Cast North West and if you'd like more information on Hemsec SIPs, simply email us at contact@hemsec.com or call us on 0151 426 7171

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LCR Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press at SIP Panel Hub

By Stuart Cottle • 24 Apr, 2024

(4 min read) Liverpool City Region Mayor Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Press Machine at Hemsec’s New £4 Million SIPs Manufacturing Hub. Today (Liverpool, UK - 22 April 2024) marks a significant milestone in the region’s manufacturing landscape as Mayor Steve Rotheram officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art press machine at Hemsec’s new £4 million Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Manufacturing Hub, located in the heart of Knowsley, Liverpool. The unveiling ceremony, attended by key stakeholders and industry leaders, showcased Hemsec’s ambitious vision and cutting-edge capabilities of the press machine, which stands as the only one of its kind in the world. This groundbreaking technology is positioned to drive crucial innovation in the construction sector and a fabric-first approach to achieving a net zero built environment, particularly in the area of social and affordable housing. With a manufacturing capacity unlike any other, the new manufacturing hub and press promise unparalleled efficiency and precision in the production of SIPs, a building material known for its superior energy efficiency, speed of build and long-term sustainable impact. This advancement comes at a crucial time as the UK faces a significant shortfall in social housing, with communities across the country in dire need of affordable and high-quality accommodation. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the importance of this new manufacturing hub and its potential to address the housing crisis and other key issues important to the region's communities. Managing Director at Hemsec, Stephen Painter commented: "The opening of Hemsec’s SIPs Manufacturing Hub represents a transformative moment for Liverpool and the British manufacturing industry. With the capabilities of this pioneering press machine, we have an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the construction of much-needed truly affordable social housing, providing safe and sustainable homes for our communities. A fabric-first approach to sustainable buildings is crucial for ensuring the performance of our homes is optimised now and remains for the lifetime of the building, securing longevity in energy efficiency."

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By Stuart Cottle • 08 Apr, 2024

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By Stuart Cottle • 15 Mar, 2024

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(4 m in read) On Tuesday Hemsec employees came together in good Christmas cheer at our annual Christmas party. Through a spirited raffle, the company successfully raised an impressive £1000 for The Big Help Project . What is The Big Help Project? The Big Help Project was set up with the mission to feed the hungry, overcome poverty, free people from the burden of unmanageable personal debt, help people into affordable housing, and to assist people onto a better future. For over ten years Big Help Project has formed a social impact eco-system, providing on-the-ground wrap-around services to make sure nobody is left in crisis. Every day of the week Big Help Project is making a difference and helping people break the cycle of poverty. So far, the project has helped thousands of people across the UK — but they still have a lot of ground to cover. That’s where local businesses like Hemsec, our customers, suppliers and partners come into the picture.

Hemsec Announces Christmas Shutdown Dates.

09 Nov, 2023

To avoid disappointment, place your orders ready for Christmas and the first few weeks of the New Year. (2 min read) It’s that time of year again! In an effort to allow our hardworking team some well-deserved time with their families, Hemsec has scheduled our usual temporary shutdown over the Christmas period. We want to ensure our customers are well-informed about the key dates to avoid any inconvenience in the run up, during and following this period. We encourage all our valued customers to place their orders in the coming weeks to avoid any disappointment over the Christmas period and the first two weeks of January. Our team is committed to ensuring your needs are met, and early orders will help us achieve this goal. **Place Your Orders Before Monday 20th November to secure delivery before Christmas** Production slots are booking up fast, so please plan your orders accordingly to ensure timely delivery and secure lead times running into the new year. **Final Dispatch Day - Monday 18th December, 2023** To ensure your orders reach you before the holiday break, our last day of dispatch will be on Monday, December 18th, 2023. Please place your orders early to guarantee timely delivery. **Last Day in the Office - Friday 22nd December, 2023** Our team's last day in the office before the holiday closure will be on Friday, December 22nd, 2023. We will be available to assist with any inquiries until this date. **Reopening - Tuesday 2nd January, 2024** Hemsec will resume operations and be fully open for business on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the new year. All the team at Hemsec wishes you a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year. Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this temporary shutdown. We look forward to working with you in 2024!

Hemsec Raise Over £400 for Macmillan Coffee Morning

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