The awards keep rolling in for Keystone Lintels Ltd whose Hi-therm+ lintel product was named the Construction Product of the Year at the 2018 Irish Construction Industry Awards which were held in Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on June 14 last.
Hi-therm+ lintel is up to five times more thermally efficient than a standard steel lintel and offer specifiers a low cost solution to reduced carbon emissions. Upgraded to offer even greater practicality to builders, the Hi-therm+ lintel also recently scooped the Best Building Fabric Product award at the 2018 Housebuilder Product Awards in the UK. They are the latest in a long list of prestigious awards bestowed on Keystone Lintels Ltd since its inception almost 30 years ago. Last year, the Cookstown, Co. Tyrone-based company won the Best Place to Work and Material Supplier of the Year awards at The Irish News and Construction News Awards respectively, while the year before it was honoured with the Company of the Year award at the UTV Business Eye Awards.
A leading manufacturer of steel lintels, the short history of Keystone has been one of relentless expansion and continuous innovation whilst redefining the meaning of service in the lintel industry. The Hi-therm+ lintel offers a low-cost solution to reduced carbon emissions and is up to five times more thermally efficient than a standard steel lintel. Keystone has re-engineered its original Hi-therm lintel utilising its industry-leading ‘top hat’ design to offer even greater practicality to builders.
Keystone’s National Sales Manager for Ireland Kris Willis collected the company’s latest accolade along with Dublin Area Sales Manager Stephen Quinn at the Irish Construction Industry Awards, which has established itself as the benchmark for those demonstrating excellence and innovation in Ireland’s construction industry.
“Our sister company Keylite Roof Windows won the same award last year for our Futuretherm Roof Windows, so it was nice to win again,” Kris says.
“At Keystone, we recognise the challenges facing builders in relation to thermal performance and sustainability. A fabric first solution is preferable to builders, particularly something that is easily installed and maintenance-free and can allow them to meet regulations in a cost-efficient way. The use of Hi-therm+ with its low psi value will often negate the need for bolt-on renewables, saving money on the overall build. We launched Hi-therm+ in January this year and are delighted to have achieved this accolade.”
Keystone Lintels Ltd produces a number of other quality products, including steel lintels, stainless steel lintels, special steel lintels, sun lounge lintels, masonry support, brick feature lintels, windposts and cavity trays. All Keystone standard lintels satisfy the Thermal Performance requirements of all UK building regulations. The company supports architects and designers to push the boundaries of what is possible in steel lintel design with its custom design service, which is in far greater demand in Ireland than the UK.
“About 80 per cent of the lintels we sell in Ireland are one-offs,” Kris says.
“It’s the opposite in the UK where 80 per cent of the lintels we sell are standard. The reason why the one-offs are so popular in Ireland is because we see ourselves as a nation of self-builders. Our design team are on hand to design lintels to your exact requirements. We offer a free specification and quotation service.
“Our products are available to buy from the leading builders providers, including the likes of Heiton Buckleys, Chadwicks, TJ O’Mahony, Topline, Arro, Home Value, Murdock’s Builders Merchants and Cork Builders Providers.”
Keystone Lintels Ltd is part of the Keystone Group which was founded in 1989 by Sean Coyle, who recognised the need for steel lintels to be manufactured in Ireland.
“Sean was working as a building control officer at the time and saw an opening for steel lintels to be made here in Ireland. Before opening our first design, production and distribution facility in Cookstown, it took six weeks for special steel lintels to arrive from Wales. Now the turnaround time is less than two weeks,” Kris explains.
“We take an original product and try to make it better.”
Sean has since grown the successful family business which employs 1,200 people at its production facilities in Cookstown, South Derbyshire, Cwmbran (South Wales) and Poland. These facilities provide an efficient, flexible and ergonomic working environment that is part of the culture of quality and service at Keystone.
The Keystone Group is the largest steel lintel manufacturer in Ireland and the UK as well as Europe’s fastest growing roof window manufacturer. The Group consists of Keystone Lintels, IG Lintels, Keylite Roof Windows, IG Elements, IG Masonry Support Systems and Smartroof. With such a clear focus on service and support for customers and strong focus on research and development, Keystone is continuously growing and developing its extensive product offering.
Keystone is committed to core values that were embodied by its founders and remain the cornerstone of the corporate philosophy. Keystone management and staff empower and challenge each other to think differently, embrace creativity and develop products, services and processes that are smarter than anything else in the market. The company has a relentless focus on excellence in quality for every process in the business. Each team member supports each other to deliver solutions and services that are world-class and add value to their customers.
Keystone’s specialist teams are on hand to provide the most cost-effective solutions for the most complex requirements. The company is committed to engaging with its customers, employees and communities every day to ensure it exceeds expectations. Keystone’s most important asset is its people. Every employee undergoes training at its NVQ-approved premises. The company has also received the ‘Investors in People’ accreditation. The Keystone team are professional, highly-trained and motivated, accessible, responsive and have extensive product knowledge.
Keystone Lintels (Ireland) Ltd
Ballyreagh Industrial Estate,
Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone BT80 9DG.
Telephone: 028 86762184
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, November 2018, Vol 4 No 10
