Hundreds will head to Cambridge next September for the return of RIDBA’s flagship event.

It’s been confirmed the RIDBA Building Awards will take place at the Graduate Cambridge hotel, nestled on the banks of the River Cam.

The biennial event celebrates excellence in the modern agriculture and industrial buildings industry and will take place on Friday, September 22, 2023. Click here to see the winning projects from the RIDBA Building Awards 2021.

Neil Fox, RIDBA chairman, said: “I’m really looking forward to the return of the Building Awards. We have a fantastic venue lined-up which I’m sure RIDBA members will enjoy, and I’m always amazed by the quality of the entries.

“I’d encourage all members to enter. To win – or even be shortlisted – is a fantastic achievement and it’s a great way of showcasing your hard work and achievements to the rest of the industry.

“It was a fantastic event in 2021 and we can’t wait to see everyone in Cambridge next September.”

A total of eight prizes will be up for grabs:

• Residential and offices award
• Livestock award
• Farm storage award
• Commercial award
• Industrial and production award
• Training award
• Outstanding workmanship award
• Most effective product and/or service award

The 2023 event will be open exclusively to RIDBA members and suppliers, architects and specifiers working on projects completed between December 1, 2021 and March 31, 2023.

Entries will open on December 1, 2022, and close on March 31, 2023.

• Click here to book your tickets for the event.
• Click here to book a hotel room at the Graduate Cambridge.
• Click here to see sponsorship opportunities at the RIDBA Building Awards 2023.

Tickets are now available for the RIDBA Industry Day which will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

This popular event will include talks from expert speakers on subjects such as mental health, product marking and updates from RIDBA’s technical and livestock consultants.

Guests will have the opportunity to catch up with industry colleagues, suppliers and sponsors.

The event will take place at the Abbey Hotel in Malvern, Worcestershire, and will conclude with a tour of the nearby Morgan Motors factory.

RIDBA general manager Joe Chalk said: “This is a key date in the RIDBA calendar and one which I know many people across our industry look forward to.

“As always, we’ve got some brilliant speakers lined-up, so it promises to be a fantastic learning experience, as well as a welcome chance to network with peers.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the Abbey Hotel next April.”

The RIDBA Industry Day is scheduled for April 21, 2022. To book your tickets, please complete and return the booking form, here.

RIDBA would like to thank Joseph Ash Galvanizing, Kingspan and STRUMIS for their support in sponsoring this event.

The Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association (RIDBA) hosted the 2021 RIDBA Building Awards at the Macdonald Manchester Hotel.

Hundreds of guests celebrated the fantastic work of RIDBA members from all over the UK on September 30, 2021.

Comedian and writer Jo Caulfield hosted RIDBA’s flagship event which saw prizes and commendations handed out to brilliant projects across eight categories.

RIDBA Chairman, Neil Fox, said:

“I’m delighted that at long last we were able to celebrate the best in rural and industrial buildings.

Once again RIDBA members have shown the sheer quality of their work and some of these projects have been completed under extraordinary circumstances. I would like to congratulate each and every finalist.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, without their support, these awards would not have been possible.”

Net-zero carbon rated Lingwood House was named this year’s overall winner. The striking office is just six metres from a railway line which meant RIDBA member M D Anthony had to be particularly versatile in their approach during the design and construction phases.

Luxury residential property Ben Jurin Islay Road by Wareing Buildings was highly commended for the complexity of its steelwork and its aesthetics.

The 2021 RIDBA Building Awards were sponsored by AJN Steelstock, Joseph Ash Galvanizing, Kingspan, Steadmans, Eternit, STRUMIS and media partner, Farming Monthly.

The chosen charity was the Lily Mae Foundation. The foundation supports parents and families after a stillbirth, neonatal death, miscarriage or medical termination. RIDBA would like to thank guests for their generous donations.

Please click here to download the press release. 

If there was a shortlist of books that contain enough hard data and guidance to save the UK agricultural industry millions of pounds per annum, this 192-page volume would be on it. The Farm Buildings Handbook, in its third edition edited by Jim Loynes BSc, CEng, MIAgrE, is a reference volume that guides us through the preparations of a build project, the law and regulations, and into construction technology. Thereafter, the book tackles specific building design details for livestock and crop storage and finishes with a comprehensive list of sources of useful information.

Whilst the introduction states that the information in the handbook does not seek to replace the advice from specialist advisers, the current situation in UK agriculture is that independent advice on buildings is very hard to find. The attraction of this guide is that all the information contained is provided by individuals who have contributed to British Standards over the years and /or have years of experience from the now defunct R&D sector that supported the evolution of design for farm buildings.

The Farm Buildings Handbook is sufficiently clipped in its language to be suitable for producers who require to know what questions to ask the planners and builders before they start a project. There is also a myriad of design details, including 78 tables, that are useful to the generalist at all levels from adviser, builder, planner, architect, QA assessor and finance manager. The handbook should be on the shelf of every large animal veterinary practice in the country, so that they can compare the built environment on clients’ farms with how the target building ‘should’ be if constructed and maintained according to good practice.

The impact of poor building design, construction and maintenance on the efficiency of crop storage and livestock production is massive. Engineering technology has advanced so that, for example, remote sensors in buildings can pass live information on the CO2 content of a store, ambient temperature alarms, individual data on feed intakes from individual animals, and hormone concentrations of milk from individual cows. On the other hand, a ball-park of 50% of all new livestock buildings do not have competent ventilation capacity due to ignorance of design guidance published over 30 years and accepted around the world. Respiratory disease in UK livestock inflicts millions of pounds of losses per annum. Similar associations can be made between the contribution of poor flooring and the cost of foot problems.

An agricultural building is an investment for a generation of use. It will often be the single largest investment a producer has to decide upon. But, unlike the purchase of a piece of field machinery where all the technology is put together by experts before purchase, the producer is often left to choose elements of building design with minimal or conflicting guidance. The Farm Buildings Handbook is a sub-£20 investment that is good for the next decade.

Written by Jamie F. Robertson BSc., MSc., MIAgrE

Last year, the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association launched a campaign to promote the importance of CE Marking, not only as a reminder of the legal obligations but also as a pillar of compliance in the industry. For fabricated structural steelwork, CE Marking became mandatory on 1 July 2014 and even six years on, there is still not always an even playing field.

RIDBA’s campaign outlines four key reasons why CE Marking is valued by RIDBA members, and why clients can have confidence when choosing a RIDBA member:

Levelling the Playing Field

RIDBA wants to ensure all companies in the sector can compete on equal footing. Large or small, steel frame manufacturers must meet the same standard – EN 1090-1. Having the CE Mark also ensures unscrupulous traders cannot undercut on price nor sacrifice safety.

A Fully Compliant Industry

RIDBA is raising the bar across the industry, supporting new members to achieve the CE Mark, as well as supporting members through Brexit and through trade across the EU and the pending introduction of the UKCA mark early next year.

Client Peace of Mind

Clients, customers and specifiers can be confident that RIDBA frame manufacturers have all achieved the CE Mark, meet BS EN 1090 Parts 1 and 2, and design buildings to the latest design standards.Â

Consistent Enforcement

Trading Standards are now enforcing CE Marking across the UK. RIDBA’s Primary Authority Agreement with Dorset County Council Trading Standards ensures that enforcement of the CE Mark is consistent across the UK and provides a simple way for companies to report. Once a report is made, the agreement ensures that all cases of non-compliance of the Construction Products Regulation are investigated.

A criterion of RIDBA membership is that CE Marking must be achieved, to assure clients that members work to the highest and safest standards. In addition, RIDBA has also recently introduced a Provisional membership category, designed to help start-up companies achieve their CE certification before coming a full member.

To read more about RIDBA’s CE Marking campaign, visit www.charlesd133.sg-host.com/ce-marking-campaign where you can download our campaign flyer.

RIDBA Chairman, Neil Fox said:

“A huge issue that our members face is having to compete with companies who are not complying with the Construction Products Regulation and are cutting costs and safety measures by doing so. With this campaign, we work towards a more equal, safe and compliant industry for all, and will continue to strive for the highest standards by supporting and informing members with the changes to come.”

You can download the full press release here.

The British Farming Family owned company has made a major investment in acquiring their Italian supplier creating an unrivalled combined manufacturer and distributor – “Briarwood Landini”. 

Briarwood is well established as the UK’s leading supplier of Fibre Cement Sheets. . For decades they have worked in partnership with their Italian manufacturer Landini s.p.A to develop an innovative combination of materials to produce a fibre cement sheet, EUROSIX, that is specifically designed for the British market Acquisition of the entire Landini production facility, and 140 strong workforce was a natural progression for the growing company. Now with three fibre cement production lines, two Metal roll-forming lines and three dedicated paint lines, the consolidated product range of Briarwood not only excels in providing complete roofing solutions, but now offers the addition of chimney systems, rainwater treatment and complimentary building products.

This is a momentous step for Briarwood, offering unprecedented control over both manufacture and distribution which enables them to deliver the best value in the market.

“This opportunity couldn’t have presented at a better time for Briarwood. Operating our own factory seemed like the obvious next step for us. Now we have complete control over the entire production and supply process ensuring we can provide the most time and cost-efficient solution to our customers.” – Oliver Janes, Briarwood

Founded over 65 years ago, Landini s.p.A has developed and produced industry-leading fibre cement products for agricultural and industrial construction applications. After decades of partnership with Briarwood they are certain this is the best decision for the future of the production facility.

“We feel confident that Landini will be in good hands with Oliver and the Briarwood Team. We are fortunate to have enjoyed a close relationship with the Briarwood Family and we feel rest assured that the fibre cement production will continue to be actively customer focussed and innovative. With the additional benefits of dealing with an experienced manufacturer who is also an industry leading roofing solutions provider.” – Marisa Mattace, Landini

The core ethos of Briarwood Landini is to provide a seamless supply chain of the finest roofing systems and building products for the agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors – direct to clients from the factory floor.

The Brand will remain as Briarwood in the UK and Ireland and will be rebranded Landini Briarwood overseas.

You can download the full press release here. 

The Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association (RIDBA) is holding a Members’ Meeting with a focus on CE Marking compliance and the latest Health and Safety concerns for the sector, and it is shaping up into an event that is not to be missed.

The meeting will be held at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield near Birmingham on Wednesday 16 October 2019. The seminar will inform guests on the importance of CE Marking enforcement, and with the current uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the impact that leaving the EU will have on compliance. Guests will also be given an introduction to the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark. To provide insight on the topic, we have a number of technical speakers including: RIDBA’s Technical Consultant, Martin Heywood; BM Trada’s Principal Technical Officer, Niresh Somlie; and Principal Trading Standards Officer at Dorset Trading Standards, Martin Thursby.

According to the latest report from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), construction and agriculture reported the highest number of work fatalities last year, so RIDBA is trying to keep members up to date on some of the most dangerous Health and Safety issues in the sector, including working from height, and mild weld fume control. RIDBA has a great range of speakers covering these important Health and Safety topics, including HSE Inspector, Sarah Palfreyman, Hire and Construction Division Manager of Makita UK, Charles Shaw and Managing Director of PASMA, Peter Bennett OBE.

The Members’ Meeting will also feature a small exhibition, is free to attend and those companies outside of RIDBA membership can learn more about the wide-ranging support RIDBA offers its members.

To book your place or to sponsor the event, please contact [email protected].

Download full press release here.

The third edition of The Farm Buildings Handbook has now been released.

The Farm Buildings Handbook is published by the Rural & Industrial Design & Building Association (RIDBA) and is an invaluable information source for anyone involved in farm construction.

The third edition of the Handbook supersedes the second edition published in February 2013. The latest edition includes updates and additional items, in order to better reflect current best practice and changes in technology.

We recommend this book to farmers, estate managers, contractors, designers and anyone involved in agricultural construction who may not have the complete knowledge of the requirements involved, for example, how much space to allow livestock and how much waste stock produces. The book offers the reader a range of relevant information and data that can be used to help plan, design and potentially specify a new farm building or facility.

The latest edition of the Farm Buildings Handbook covers all aspects of farm construction, from planning through to fit-out of all types of buildings, with sections including: legislation and regulations, construction technology, buildings for livestock, storage and machinery as well as other areas for diversification. The book aims to be a guide for what needs to be considered when planning a farm building from asbestos and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) to energy supplies and slurry storage.

RIDBA would like to acknowledge the original contributors of The Farm Buildings Handbook along with Jamie Robertson (Livestock Management Systems Ltd) and Mike Bennett (Bennett & Co. (Crop Storage Engineering) Ltd) for their contribution to the latest edition. RIDBA also extends its thanks to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) whose contribution has been invaluable.

Copies of The Farm Buildings Handbook can be purchased on the RIDBA website for £14.99 (plus postage).

You can download the full press release here.

The Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association (RIDBA) hosted the 2019 RIDBA Building Awards at the De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Friday 15 March.

TV Personality, Lucy Cooke, hosted the glittering awards and over £1,000 was raised for Comic Relief.

The 2019 finalists have showcased innovative and revolutionised work that has been recognised within the industrial and agricultural building industry. The Overall Winner prize was awarded to M D Anthony Ltd for their work on The Dojima Sake Brewery in Fordham, a project recognised for its remarkable design and extreme attention to detail, paying tribute to the buildings purpose and culture. Haston Reynolds were also Highly Commended for their Centre for Dairy Science Innovation, University of Nottingham due to its impressive and well-structured building.

The winner of the training award was Shufflebottom Ltd for their dedication to achieving their strategic objective of continuously improving their training provision to ensure it is high quality, effective and efficient.

RIDBA Chairman, Mike Hammond said:

‘It has been a pleasure to be RIDBA Chairman during this fantastic work, and yet again the RIDBA Building Awards showcase excellence in our trade.

Congratulations to RIDBA Building Awards 2019 Overall Winner, the Dojima Sake Brewery. The project showed how M D Anthony Ltd balanced the challenging planning and design issued of a Grade II listed building with delivering a culturally appropriate building – a real testament to expertise, creativity and aesthetics.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our sponsors, without their support, these awards would not have been possible.’

The RIDBA Building Awards 2019 were sponsored by Joseph Ash Galvanizing, Kingspan, AJN Steelstock, Eternit, Steadmans and Farming Monthly as RIDBA’s media partner.Â

Download the press release here.