PHPD talks with Saint-Gobain Insulation UK’s Marketing Director, Órla Whelan, about the recent consolidation of the Group’s insulation brands and what it means for housebuilders.
What are the reasons for incorporating two well-known brands, Celotex and ISOVER, into a single insulation group within Saint-Gobain?
ISOVER and Celotex are both part of the Saint-Gobain group, each offering a wide range of insulation solutions, so it made commercial sense to bring both brands together under Saint-Gobain Insulation UK. By offering both brands side by side we can now offer additional value and choice to architects, housebuilders, contractors and merchants alike on a range of solutions.
Will customers who recognise the Celotex and ISOVER brands now need to look out for different packaging or branding?
The product brands will still be retained with their own recognisable identities, such as Celotex’s pink and ISOVER’s yellow. However, the overarching Saint-Gobain Insulation UK group has its own branding: a teal brand identity and logo to complement each of the individual brand’s colours and give the company its own identity.
So, with this in mind, when it comes to receiving deliveries, all products will look the same. The only difference will be the paperwork; it will be headed with the Saint-Gobain Insulation UK logo and details.
Are there any changes to the insulation solutions customers currently recognise and use?
There are no changes to the products that customers currently use. If anything, the new organisation now means that Saint-Gobain Insulation UK is a ‘one-stop’ shop, able to provide customers with a greater choice and range of solutions.
Do you offer any specification support to developers considering insulation requirements for a new-build project?
Saint-Gobain Insulation UK has its own new technical support centre, headed by a knowledgeable team that will be able to offer guidance across glass mineral wool, stone wool and PIR insulation solutions. As well as providing U-value calculations, installation details, supportive literature and technical guidance.
In addition, Saint-Gobain Insulation UK now has a dedicated Specification Team, with project specification managers offering support on both new and existing projects, including site visits and guidance on insulation solutions.
We are also dedicated to offering high-quality training to those in the industry, such as our recent RIBA approved CPD : ‘Polterm Max Plus: Stone wool insulation for façades’.
Are any new products being introduced as part of the move to Saint- Gobain Insulation?
As part of the Saint-Gobain group, innovation has long been at the forefront of what we do, always striving to meet the changing needs and requirements of the market and our customers. This year saw the launch of ISOVER’s Polterm Max Plus, our non-combustible stone wool insulation for installation in ventilated rainscreen cladding and overcladding systems. We will continue to work in partnership with our customers to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of product development and service.
What are Saint-Gobain Insulation UK’s sustainability plans?
As part of the Saint-Gobain group, Saint-Gobain Insulation UK takes its sustainability responsibilities seriously, with a continuous aim of developing solutions that protect both the built environment and the world around us. Indeed, the wider Saint-Gobain group has recently committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, signing the pledge of the Global Compact ‘Business ambition for 1.5C’. This ambition is part of the strategy that the Group has been deploying for several years to limit its environmental impact and contribute to decarbonise its markets.
