We are facing unprecedented times and as such we are only able to make plans for a few days at a time.  As the situation evolves regarding the spread of COVID-19 and we receive government advice we are reacting and adapting accordingly.  So with this in mind we wish to clarify our immediate plans.

We are currently following government advice on hygiene for companies that remain in operation.  Employees have been informed of the importance of social distancing and increasing hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning within our offices.  We trust that any customers and visitors to our offices, trade counter and warehouses, will adhere to this, making use of the numerous hand sanitisers available upon entry.  All staff are aware of the importance of self-isolating for the recommended time periods if they display symptoms associated with COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone who also shows symptoms.

In regard to our business, at this point in time we intend to remain fully operational.  Collections and deliveries of orders placed between now and Friday 27th March (the date of our year end stock take) will continue.  We intend to close for the full Easter week, commencing 13th April until 17th April inclusive.  Our supply chain is mostly UK based and, so far, factories remain open but, obviously this can change on a daily basis and we will keep you updated on this.

We trust you appreciate our plans are made with the best intentions for our staff, company and customer base going forward.

A very warm welcome to Philip Osbourne (right) who is our new Technical Sales Manager. He is pictured here with Architectural Sales Director Alan Denver. Philip will work alongside the rest of the Architectural team to strengthen APS’ all-Ireland sales. We wish Philip all the very best and hope he enjoys his new role with us!

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to call at the APS product launch/coffee morning on Friday 28th February to hear all about our latest product developments.  It was a very informal morning when everyone was invited to call for a chat and some refreshments.  We hope that you found the time well spent and informative. Whether you are the architect specifying our systems, the fabricator, the builder, or indeed one of our suppliers, it was great to see you and the event was a great success.

At the end of January 2020 we all got together to mark the retirement of Wilson Adams who had been employed at APS for over 15 years in the architectural accessories warehouse where he was rather an expert. We will miss him around the company and his many stories but know that he will call in to see us. The company directors presented him with a motorbike as a parting gift which left him speechless for the first time! We wish Wilson many happy years of retirement while making the most of his new found freedom with his new wheels on the highways and byways of Northern Ireland.

APS continues to sponsor architectural students in conjunction with Ulster University. Pictured at the recent Architectural Technology End of Year Show 2019 is our Contracts Manager Kenny Faulkner presenting the “APS Award for Design Creativity 2018/2019” to Catriona Slane with a £200 cheque. We wish Catriona and all the class of 2019 the very best in their new careers.

Aluminium & Plastics Systems (APS) Ltd is pleased to sponsor the new 2019/20 match kit for Ridgeway Rovers 05 National League team. The boys wore this on their recent trip to Fleetwood Town FC organised by coaches Stephen and Mark Thomas. Pictured are APS gary mcneill presenting the kit to players Matthew and Casey, and with the team. We wish the lads all the best for the new season. They certainly look the part!

APS mantra ‘from concept to design’ is just one reason why we are proud to continue to sponsor events for up-and-coming architects in conjunction with Ulster University. Just before Christmas 2018 an event took place at the Mac Belfast where final Year Architectural Technology and Management students presented major project designs they are working on to guests and lecturers. The day included an inspirational talk from Richland Group CEO Gary McCausland. The students are a highly competent group and we wish them well as they approach the final stages of their course.

Congratulations to the winners of our Christmas hamper competition, Peter Stewart from Calico Architects seen here being presented with it by APS Contracts Manager Kenny Faulkner and Jonathon Gannon from Todds Architects. Anthony Crawford seen receiving the prize from Kenny on Jonathon’s behalf. Thanks to all who took part!

APS are pleased to have made 2 charity donations last month thanks to the efforts of our colleagues Robert Bell and John Hilland who took part in the annual Movember moustache growing activities. Between them they raised over £1000 and APS matched their total. Chosen charities are the Children’s NI Hospice £1500 and the Movember Foundation for men’s cancer and men’s suicide prevention £552. Well done guys!

All the hard work certainly paid off as the End of Year Show event at Ulster University School of Architecture was hailed as a resounding success by the record number in attendance. The work on show was produced to an exceptionally high standard and was praised by Eddie Weir (CIAT Vice-President Practice and NI Regional Chairman). It was also the view of several professionals attending the ICAT (International Congress of Architectural Technology) from all over the world.
The students demonstrated their design capabilities, understanding of BIM processes and use of BIM authoring tools, and high levels of technical competence.
International guest speakers were the pinnacle and only added to what was a great evening.
APS is proud to be closely associated with Ulster of University School of Architecture with programme sponsorship, student façade consultancy with our Contracts Manager Kenny Faulkner and also providing guest lectures through the year. APS presents their annual award for best in “Design Creativity in the BIM module”. This year’s winner was a well-deserved Matthew Dawson, seen here receiving his award and cheque from our Kenny Faulkner.

Kenny Faulkner also seen here with Dr. Noha Saleeb, Associate Professor in Creative Technology and Construction PhD, Msc, BArch(hons), FHEA, MCIAT in Middlesex University, London who presented her paper and presentation on Non-geometric Data Veracity at Project Hand-Over for BIM Data Management.