Pictured above: UK Trade & Investment international
trade adviser Cheryl Astley with Grant Stewart of SIP School and
SIPS Industries, Andrew Orriss of Coventry-based Innovaré
Systems and Darren Richards from Shrewsbury firm Radar
Communications
Six West Midlands businesses in the construction sector found
out more about opportunities in the USA at a specialist conference
earlier this week.
The group, who are visiting this market with UK Trade &
Investment in September, attended a conference on building low
carbon homes held by UK Structured Insulated Panel Association
(UKSIPS) at Thinktank at Millennium Point, Birmingham, on Tuesday
(15 June).
UKSIPS is the authoritative voice of the Structural Insulated
Panel (SIP) industry in the UK. Committed to stringent standards of
quality and service, it sets a professional benchmark for the SIP
industry.
Members include the principal SIP manufacturers, industry
suppliers and professionals involved with design and construction
using SIP technology.
The event attracted 170 delegates from the construction sector,
with keynote speakers including the Homes & Communities Agency,
Zero Carbon Hub, Flagship Housing Association.
International trade adviser Cheryl Astley, based at North
Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, who is organising the visit to
the USA, said: "The conference was a great opportunity for the
companies to gain an insight into how SIP technology is enabling
the rapid delivery of low carbon homes.
"They will be attending the USA's SIP conference during their
visit to Washington and this event was invaluable preparation for
them.
"The UK is widely acknowledged as a major centre of expertise
for low carbon house building, with the West Midlands leading the
way, and the USA is keen to capitalise on this knowledge.
"As a result, the companies taking part in the visit are well
placed to do business in this market."