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BAL breaks new ground with launch of high spec training centre

A state-of-the art £300,000 Innovation & Technology Centre (ITC) has been officially opened by the leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council Councillor Mohammad Pervez at Building Adhesives in Trentham.

Councillor Pervez opened the Centre alongside the company's managing director Peter Bell at a special launch event last Wednesday.

Founded in 1963, Building Adhesives Ltd is a market leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of tile adhesives, grouts, sealants, and associated building products through its BAL and Dunlop brands.

Revolutionising training in the tiling sector, the purpose-built ITC delivers a significant upgrade on the firm's current BAL Training Academy and features a state-of-the-art demonstration auditorium, practical training bays and meeting rooms.

Providing the perfect platform for training in tiling techniques, skills and product use, the multi-use venue is available to a range of people in the tiling and construction industries including apprentices, installers, architects, specifiers, distributors, retailers and colleges.

A full programme of courses is available at the ITC, helping to raise standards across the industry and support vocational qualifications. Bespoke course are also available to suit individual requirements.

Speaking at the opening, Peter Bell explained that the investment in the new facility was part of the company's overall strategy as the market-leader to increase its training provision and help raise standards across the industry.

"The opening of the Innovation & Technology Centre is proof that we are committed to not only providing the best products, but also the complete package of support for our customers, distributors and suppliers including technical support and training," he said.

"Building Adhesives Ltd was founded in the city in 1963 as the development centre for the British ceramic tile industry and we were the first adhesive manufacturer to offer industry training - and the first to open a training centre - so training and development has always been fundamental for us.

"From our highly qualified team of scientists, to our technical advisory team, customer support teams, marketing and administrative departments, we are dedicated to leading the industry in innovation and training.

"The Innovation & Technology Centre provides another milestone in the construction industry and cements our place as the market leader.

"The construction of the Innovation & Technology Centre is also evidence of our continuing commitment to manufacturing in the city of Stoke-on-Trent and providing the community with a superb training facility to develop skills and support industry qualifications."

Dave Rowley, BAL Training Manager, who has been leading training at the company for more than 20 years, added: "The Innovation & Technology Centre provides a significant enhancement of our training facilities and allows us to cater for a larger number of delegates than ever before.

"The large auditorium provides seats for 40 delegates with a total capacity for 100 delegates and features high spec A/V and projection facilities and removable training bays for high impact practical demonstrations and theoretical presentations.

"We can also provide CPDs and presentations in our state-of-the-art meeting room, while our practical training bays can be altered to provide realistic environments as the training course requires."

A number of college students have already taken part in training at the centre, and bookings are now being taken for upcoming courses.

For information on BAL courses at the ITC contact Janet Webster, Training Administrator:

T: 01782 591120
E: [email protected]

13th March 2015