Latest News September

We have now completed our new Environmental Test Chamber where we can test up to four systems simultaneously on lengths up to 4m. Our Sola-Vent has also been installed, so that we can obtain field test information on PV panels, battery power, etc., on a whole range of alternatives. We have four researchers an Nottingham working on SunPipe performance, so this new Environmental Test Chamber will greatly enhance their work. It can be seen that we have erected a high level 'gallery', so that they can gain easy access to change various SunPipes to test safely. In time, we will produce a completely new section on the Nottingham University results.

Everything is going according to plan with our new office extension, which is due for completion by 1 st October. The picture shows one of our solar powered Windcatchers being lifted into position and these form just part of our new sustainable energy programme, for us to generate sufficient electricity to be self-sufficient in the long term but in the short term, to slash our energy costs by at least 60%. SunPipes, Monovents and SunCatchers do, of course, also play an important part in our new office design but the main energy generators will be our new Vortex Wind Turbines and photovoltaic panel systems. It looks like very exciting times ahead for us, as well as creating a very comfortable building to work in.

To cope with the tremendous increase in the company's activities and to coincide with programmed completion of our new Offices, we have taken on 10 new members of staff, who are as follows:-

Andrew Taylor and Ian Grant from Brunel University (Industrial Design and Technology) as CAD Draughtsmen .

Tom Spencer from Warwick University (Engineering Design and Tech M Eng) as New Product Research & Development Engineer .

Rhati Singh from the Bartlett School of Architecture (having completed a Masters Degree in Environmental Design) as Head of Research & Development on Sustainable Products .

Ben Jones from Salford University (M Eng Aeronautical Engineering) as Research Engineer (who will undertake a 4-year Research Programme on indoor environmental conditions in conjunction with Brunel University ).

Gary Fenech-Soler from Trinidad as Assistant Contracts Supervisor and Site Quality Control Manager .

Simon Eastmond from Nottingham University will be joining us full time next year as Head of Electronics Development (will be in charge of our new Microprocessor Systems and Electronic Solar Control for our new products).

Andy Tribe from Swansea University (BA Business Economics) who will join our Contract Administration and Accounts Teams.

Samantha Potter as Marketing Assistant.

Devon Griffin is promoted to Contracts Liaison Officer to work more closely with Luigi and his team in the Contracts Department.

Russell Bryant is promoted to Quality Manager with particular duties on our goods inwards and has taken on special duties with regard to stock control.

And oh! just to round it off, we have taken on another two Installation Engineers!

We will, therefore, be having a grand 'Opening Ceremony' and 'Getting to Know You Party' in October to celebrate this great milestone in our company development.

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Due to increased demand, we are pleased to launch our new opal diffuser, which will shortly be available for the complete range of SunPipes. This new material is PETG, fire rated to Class 1, and is available with an aqua blue tint, which we consider would be ideal for bathrooms or similar, or in soft white, which we believe will probably the most popular for the majority of residential applications. Both these new diffuser finishes are available with the acrylic capped white ABS ceiling trim or the satin finish stainless steel effect trim.

These unusual looking Windcatchers have proved to be a great success with Architects who obviously like the rather 'offbeat' shape! These three Dalek shaped Windcatchers were installed at Starhurst School in Dorking. This shows the wonderful versatile nature of GRP for Windcatcher systems, with not a fixing screw in site and offering great scope for our forward thinking Architects.

Two new Primary Schools, Trinity School and St Nicholas School in Radstock, near Bath, have recently been completed with a series of SunPipes and Monodraught Windcatcher systems. The main focal point of each School is a large oval Hall and Community space clad externally in cedar boarding with narrow slit windows to create a dynamic lighting effect. A series of 450mm diameter SunPipes were then used at ceiling level to create a stunning lighting effect internally to complement the side lit windows. There is a main corridor or 'street', which is also lit by 450mm diameter SunPipes to recreate a natural 'outdoor' daylight effect.

In total, 63N° SunPipes, Windcatchers, and Monovent SunCatchers were installed to each of these Schools, and were designed so as to beat all government targets for reducing carbon emissions and in doing so, they have created a new standard in sustainable engineering, as well as a more healthy and energy conscious environment.

We are pleased to offer a range of 1m wide x 2.5m high pop up display panels for any of our Distributors or Stockists. These will be on free loan for a three month period but there is a £100 deposit on each one. To find out more click here

Three new Wind Turbines, Vortex 400, 1000 and 2000, have now been launched and will be distributed under the new flagship company, Monodraught International plc. These new Wind Turbines are designed particularly in mind with the large domestic and small commercial applications in mind and the Vortex 400 is supplied complete with a 300 Watt photovoltaic panel to ensure that even during still days, the system can provide power generation. The blades operate with virtually no noise and with minimal vibration and sell for well under £1,000!

The official launch of these new products will take place at Nottingham University at the end of October so, as they say, "watch this space"!