Sika UK Distribution Highlights of 2023

Final steps of our transition to Sika
As of the first of January 2023, we completed our legal integration into Sika Limited – marking the final piece of the integration between Everbuild and Sika as we became one statutory organisation. As with any major business change, challenges were faced along the way. Throughout the last six months, improvements have been made across the business and results are being seen. We would like to thank our customers for their patience, loyalty, and support during 2023.

Distribution
In June, we began the first steps in our brand transition, this time in relation to the products our customers know and love. Our Multi-Use Wonder Wipes were the first to make the switch from being an Everbuild branded product to a Sika branded product, sporting new packaging to reflect this change.

Our applications team has also delivered more than 750 roadshows at builders’ merchants all over the country throughout the year. The popular events are a fantastic way to showcase our product range as well as providing a platform for the team to share information and advice with trade users and merchant staff.

We’ve also exhibited at some significant exhibitions this year. In November our team represented Sika at Homes UK 2023. Here we were discussing our Building Finishing product range with a particular focus on our External Wall Insulation solutions. These have been fantastic opportunities to speak to our customers and members of the industry.

Target Market Sealing & Bonding
We are focused on delivering high quality products for the trade and are continually reviewing our product portfolio to ensure it meets the needs of our customers. This year we’re proud to have launched three new products within our Sealing and Bonding range – Sikaflex-117 Metal Force; Sikaflex-403 Tank and Silo; Sikaflex-415 Universal.

Sikaflex-117 Metal Force is a 1-part construction adhesive specially formulated to provide good adhesion to a variety of metal surfaces as well as ensuring very high stability and weatherability on metals, including copper. Our polyurethane-based elastic tank and silo sealant - Sikaflex-403 Tank & Silo is designed for sealing steel containers built in sections and offers very good resistance to specific chemicals. Rounding up the trio is Sikaflex-415 Universal - a 1-part, moisture curing, elastic polyurethane sealant for floor and wall joints as well as general-purpose adhesive applications, which is durable in both water and salt water and offers good resistance to weathering.

Target Market Building Finishing
Back in April, we launched a new dedicated training centre at our plant in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. It has been created to offer a combination of both classroom-based and practical product training on Mineral Render, External Wall Insulation (EWI), and Pointing Mortar delivered by our industry experts. Training is available to applicators, distributors, architects, and contractors and each session can be tailored to the needs of those attending, depending on current skill level. Our new facility also provides the opportunity to support and showcase best practice and help raise the bar for setting industry standards.

We’re ending the year on a high as we recently won the Judges Choice – Special Commendation award at this year’s INCA Awards. The Building Finishing team was recognised for the complex External Wall Insulation (EWI) system designed for the iconic Selfridges building in Birmingham where the unique curved façade, comprising of 15,000 individual anodised aluminium discs, added to the complexity of the façade refurbishment.

It’s been a year characterised by change but what hasn’t changed is our focus on delivering innovative products and supporting our customers – here’s to 2024!

Darren Bunting

Business Unit Manager - UK Distribution, Sealing and Bonding, and Building Finishing