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[January 2006]
Lafarge to Target Smaller Contractors at Interbuild 2006
The UK's premier construction event takes place at the NEC from April 23-27 and Lafarge plans to use the opportunity to stage a series of Demonstration Days based on the highly successful Lafarge Demo Day piloted at the Herts County Showground in September.Explained Lafarge Business Development Manager Jeremy Sumeray: "This year we are focusing on
reaching the smaller and specialist contractors who always attend Interbuild in large numbers."More than 200 construction professionals came to St Albans in September when we launched our programme of Demo Days and we are planning to run more of these events across the country during 2006.
"But Interbuild is an opportunity too good to miss because it's the ideal place to reach our target audience, and we can effectively run five Demo Days at one venue ensuring as many contractors as possible have the opportunity to take part in the range of demonstrations and activities we will be running."
The idea is to showcase Lafarge products and materials for the whole house, ranging from roofing to screed flooring. Visitors will also be able to pick up tips from Lafarge experts running the demonstrations in everything from roof ridge fixing and construction of an open fire chimney system to laying concrete and erecting drywall systems.
Added Jeremy: "The principle of Demo Day is very hands on. We will be encouraging visitors to build a wall or erect a roof to give them every chance to test the quality and efficiency of our products.
"It should be lots of fun as well as a vital learning opportunity for any small contractor, and we hope that there will be some good offers available for those who commit to buying. The concept worked well for us in 2005 and we're excited about building on that at Interbuild 2006."
Lafarge, which employs 77,000 people in 75 countries and recorded sales of £14.4 billion last year, was a notable absentee from Interbuild 2004. But like Corus, Henkel Building Systems and H & H Celcon, they will be back in April, intent on making their presence felt. They will be based in the Tools & Trucks hall to target the smaller independent specifiers and contractors
Said Interbuild 2006 Event Director Gordon Thomas: "We are really pleased that Lafarge have identified where they sit within Interbuild and what the show is all about.
"Small to medium-sized contractors are notoriously difficult and expensive to reach but Lafarge recognise that Interbuild will deliver the audience they want, all in one go.
"The fact that they want to come to the show and be so proactive is brilliant news. I'm sure their DemoDays will leave visitors with a really strong message to take away with them."
More than 44,000 trade professionals attended Interbuild when it was last held in 2004 and together they represented a combined buying power of around £24.5billion.
Entry to the show is £20 on the day but free to visitors who log on at http://www.interbuild.com to register their details in advance.
For more information, call BowlesAssociates on 0115 982 1210.
ENDS