ClayTech UK takes “Energy – Efficiency – Quality” as key themes

Last year’s ClayTech 2014 meeting and trade fair was organized in time-honoured fashion by IOM Communications Ltd. as directed by the Education & Training Trust of the “International Clay Technology Association (ICTa)”, an active group in the “Ceramics Society”.

Around 150 people, including trade visitors and exhibitors, attended the event that took place in Stafford, England, on 20 November 2014. The 28 exhibitors included leading companies in the industry.

The event reflected the optimism of the UK clay brick and tile industry against the background of rising sales, prices and production volumes. One topic frequently discussed between exhibitors and visitors was starting up mothballed plants again. No talks addressing this particular topic had been included in the programme.

Both very interesting and practice-oriented was the talk by Ray Johnson, Ibstock Brick, who reported on the introduction of the ISO 50001 standard at Ibstock Brick. The examples and experience he presented can certainly be transferred to other companies. The presentation given by Aminat Bolarinwa, Lucideon, on the current situation with energy-saving measures in the clay brick and tile industry met with a very positive echo.

Notable is that the UK clay brick and tile industry has recognized the problem of aging of qualified employees in the companies and, in cooperation with the University of Derby, it is offering application-oriented courses for company personnel. The courses are available as combined distance and direct study courses. An initiative that should set an example for other countries!

Guest speaker Prof. Dr. Denis Brosnan, Clemson University, gave an in part very entertaining and thought-provoking talk on the possibilities for material testing for clay bricks and tiles.

Fritz Mödinger

IOM Communications Ltd.
www.iom3.org