GIB® News Issue Two 2016 1

SYSTEMS

by Gordon White

Market Manager

Residential

Based on lessons derived from

the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes

GIB EzyBrace® Systems have been

updated to offer improved design

flexibility and further simplification of

the bracing design and build process.

The update includes:

GIB EzyBrace® 2016 Design Software

— Improved user interface with

simplified bracing design process.

— Increased functionality including

exterior line check function, easy

insert/deletion of bracing elements

and built-in software help function.

— Includes the new GIB® Bracing

element GS2-NOM.

— Allows the GIBFix® Framing System

to be used in GIB EzyBrace® designs

for reduced potential fastener pop and

enhanced thermal performance.

New GIB® Bracing Element GS2-NOM

GS2-NOM is a new bracing element

added to GIB® Bracing Systems. GS2-

NOM allows internal walls lined with

GIB® plasterboard on both sides and

fastened off as per the standard fixing

requirements of the current GIB® Site

Guide to contribute to bracing resistance.

Key benefits of the GS2-NOM bracing

element include:

— Potential to reduce the amount of

fasteners and GIB HandiBracs®

required to be used* .

— Encourages more even bracing

distribution throughout the building.

— Allows most homes to be braced with

a single lining type so that a high quality

interior finish is maintained throughout.

* Actual savings dependent on building

and bracing design.

Update to openings in bracing elements

and ceiling diaphragms

— Large hole specification updated to

use a more conservative methodology.

— Guidance included for fireplace flues

and rangehoods.

— New GIBFix® Framing System.

News

Putting customers first with improved tools, products and services. — GIB EzyBrace® System 2016 software update

— Passive fire protection

— GIB® at DesignEx

GIB EzyBrace® Systems update

above: GS2-NOM corner fastener pattern.

Issue Two 2016

More on page 2.

GIB® Bracing Element GS2-NOM

GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 32

THE TEAM BEHIND THE GIB® HELPLINE

HELPLINE

by Nellie Kumar

Call Centre

Team Leader

When you call the GIB® Helpline, 95% of

the time, within 15 seconds, your call will

be answered with a cheery hello. This

may not seem particularly revolutionary,

but when there are almost 10,000 calls

to the GIB® Helpline in a month, most of

them complicated orders to input into

the system, technical issues to escalate

to our training team, delivery enquiries,

product questions and pallet collections,

you start to realise that quick pick up,

that cheerful greeting, that level of service

is something remarkable.

The GIB® Call Centre has ten Customer

Support team members answering your

calls. Many of the team have been with

Winstone Wallboards for over 20 years

which gives the Call Centre an enviable

level of knowledge of GIB® products and

systems. With the level of calls and the

added complexity of Delivered to Site

deliveries and commercial orders, Norma

Seym has recently been welcomed to

the team to ensure that we are always

able to answer your call.

The women in the GIB® Call Centre have

to be proactive and perceptive to

make sure that you are ordering all the

right components for a full GIB® system,

or that your order isn’t over weight for

the delivery truck your order has been

assigned. To this end, they will double

check key information with you and with

merchants and work with you and your

contractor to ensure that sites have been

checked and are clear for delivery.

So give us a call — we’ll be with you in

fewer than 15 seconds.

OPERATIONAL FOCUS

FOREWORD

by David Thomas

General Manager

Along with the rest of the Building

industry, we have certainly enjoyed the

benefits of the increased activity levels in

our sector. However I might add that at

times our resources have been severely

stretched in our efforts to maintain our

service levels.

One of the initiatives our Supply Chain

team has pursued has been out-

sourcing some activities to third party

providers, allowing us to commit people

and facilities to our core business. One

noticeable feature in recent months has

been an increase in the type of work and

services expected of us and an increase

in the level of technical advice being

sought by different people.

We expect this to increase over the

next year in line with the forecast higher

activity levels, as many participants seek

to do more with the same resources.

Accordingly, our focus during this time

will be on doing the basics correctly

across the entire organisation, ensuring

that we deliver quality products to you

when you want them and that we service

your information requirements in a timely

and helpful manner. At the same time we

will look to make a few, but significant,

changes to our offers which we believe

will either improve your efficiency

and effectiveness or make it easier

to engage with us.

Most of these changes are discussed

in this edition of GIB® News, including

our moves to build the knowledge and

capability of our market facing people.

I do believe that this process will take

some time but I am confident that we

will continue to supply the market in a

manner that will see us ranked in the

upper echelon of suppliers to the

Building industry.

New GIBFix® Framing System

The GIBFix® Framing System is an

enhanced timber framing system.

Compared to conventional timber framing

the GIBFix® Framing System offers:

— Reduces potential for fastener pop

and joint cracking as a result of timber

frame movement.

— Reduced potential for on-site call backs.

— Improved thermal performance.

— Fully integrated into GIB EzyBrace®

Systems.

— GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread Screw

design for fastening GIB® plasterboard

to both timber or metal.

To achieve optimal framing and

bracing design efficiency, Winstone

Wallboards recommends the use of

the GIBFix® Framing System used in

conjunction with the GIB EzyBrace®

System. For more information go to

gib.co.nz/gibfix.

REDUCTION OF GIB QUIETLINE® RANGE

PRODUCTS

by Nicole Stock

Market Manager

Commercial

GIB Quietline® and GIB Tone® Quiet

TilesTM have been particularly successful

since their launch two years ago. With

greater awareness of acoustics in all

spaces, and many buildings, like schools,

requiring certain levels of reverberation

control, GIB Quietline® and GIB Tone®

Quiet TilesTM offer a cost effective,

attractive solution to absorb and disperse

sound, making spaces more comfortable.

In an effort to supply a better, timelier and

higher quality product to market, from

September the range will be consolidated

to four board perforation patterns and one

tile perforation pattern.

The patterns that will continue to be

available include:

— GIB Quietline® Circle 8mm

8 Panel with 10% Perforation.

— GIB Quietline® Circle 15mm

— 8 Panel with 10% Perforation.

— GIB Quietline® Circle 15mm

8 Panel with 20% Perforation.

— GIB Quietline® Random 1

Panel with 15% Perforation.

— GIB Tone® Quiet TilesTM:

Circle with 15% Perforation.

Please contact Winstone Wallboards

to query if you have any specifications

or orders for boards or tiles that will

no longer be manufactured. Winstone

Wallboards will work with you to supply

the correct specification or find a

suitable replacement.

NEW ACCESSORIES

PRODUCT

by Cath Montgomery

Product Manager

To help ensure that you get the best

possible result when installing plasterboard

in the new GIBFix® Framing System there

are two new accessories available from

Winstone Wallboards.

GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread

The first is the GIB® Grabber® Dual Thread

32x7mm screw. The Dual Thread screw

has been developed specifically for use

in the GIBFix® Framing System to ensure

that it can perform well in both the metal

and timber substrates.

Like all GIB® Grabber® Fasteners the Dual

Thread screw has the following features:

— Sharp threads that are heat-treated

for hardness.

— Gold passivated finish to prevent

corrosion.

— Sharp point for fast penetration.

— No2 Philips recess that is deep,

positive and no-sticking.

To ensure you have the right screws

for the job remember if it doesn’t say

‘G’ then it’s not GIB® Grabber®.

GIBFix® Angle

The GIBFix® Angle is a 45 x 45mm 90

degree angle to support corner joints

and reduce potential corner cracking.

It is knurled to provide more accurate

fastener placement making using the

GIBFix® Framing System quick and easy.

For more information call the GIB® Helpline

on 0800 100 442 or visit gib.co.nz/gibfix

GIB EZYBRACE® SOFTWARE RELEASE

PRODUCTS

by Richard Hunt

Technical Engineer

The GIB EzyBrace® calculator is a

software tool to determine the required

wind and earthquake bracing demand

and to design the bracing resistance for

light timber-framed buildings constructed

in accordance with NZS 3604:2011.

The updated GIB EzyBrace® calculator

released in August 2016 combines an

up-to-date user-friendly interface with

the latest knowledge relating to the

performance of GIB® plasterboard in

light timber-framed structures when

subjected to high winds or earthquakes.

The calculator can be downloaded for

free by visiting gib.co.nz/ezybrace and

can be installed in a Microsoft® or

Apple® Mac environment.

Key changes to GIB EzyBrace®

Systems 2016 Software

The GIB EzyBrace® 2016 Software has

been updated to be more intuitive and

easier to operate.

Improved functionality

— Easily add or delete bracing lines.

— Easily alter GIB® Bracing elements

mid plan or include custom

bracing elements.

— Exterior line check function.

— Improved opening, printing and saving

functions – now select from up to 10 of

your most recently saved plans.

— Handy in built help function providing

the answers to common design

questions such as wind zones,

earthquake zones and cladding weight

to meet NZS3604 requirements.

— Help can be accessed by pressing

the ‘?’ symbol which displays a

window with further information.

Availability

GIB EzyBrace® Systems 2016 Software

now available for both Microsoft and Mac

operating systems.

Download GIB EzyBrace® 2016 design

software from gib.co.nz/ezybrace

top: You can clearly see the two different threads on the image above. above: The knurled GIBFix® Angle, installed in a new house build, helps the builder to accurately fasten the angle to the framing. above: Some of the available patterns of GIB Quiteline®.

back row, left to right: Kaylene Robinson, Lyn Muavae, Helen Schaaf, Gail Haliday front row, left to right: Kelly Southward, Neelam Khatri, Valery Westbury, Norma Seym. Away: Judi Irving.

Insulation

Insulation*Optional

GIB® plasterboard

Stud

Stud

Traditional wall framing layout

Insulation

Insulation*Optional

Stud

GIB® plasterboard

GIBFix® Angle

GIBFix® wall framing layout

GIBFix® Framing System wall layoutTraditional wall framing layoutGIB EZYBRACE® SYSTEMS UPDATE cont’d from page one

GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 54

NATIONAL SALES AND CHANNEL TEAM ORGANISATION ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW APPOINTMENTS

by Bryan Young

National Sales and

Channel Manager

With an ever changing market environment

it is important to ensure our internal

structures, particularly in customer

interface positions, are well designed

for today and out into the future. After

a very robust process of analysis and

consultation we are making a significant

change to the set-up of the Sales Team

organisation. We want to expand our

coverage and increase local availability

to our customers.

Winstone Wallboards is delighted to

announce that four new ‘Lead Roles’

have been created and successfully filled:

— Dale Hammett has been appointed

to the Area Sales Manager Lead,

South Island.

— Andrew Campbell has been

appointed to the Area Sales Manager

Lead, Auckland North/West (including

Northland).

— Kelly Littlewood has been appointed

to the Area Sales Manager Lead,

Auckland South/East (including

Waikato, Bay of Plenty & Gisborne).

— John Kitchen has been appointed

to the Area Sales Manager Lead,

Architectural/Commercial.

These new roles took effect on 1 July 2016.

This is a significant change in organisational

structure, however, the sales team have

embraced the change very positively and

we are sure we will improve on our already

high performing team.

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION — ‘GET IT RIGHT’ FPANZ SEMINAR SERIES

TECHNICAL

by Graeme Robertson

Senior Technical

Advisor

Passive fire protection has been a hot

topic lately. Examples of poor specification

and installation have recently been

revealed in both existing and new

construction. Not getting it right could

have serious consequences for building

occupants in a fire, not to mention liability

for designers, inspectors and installers.

A fire cell is designed to contain a fire

and protect people, including the fire

fighters, from the uncontrolled spread

of flame, smoke and gas. Smoke and

gas are the number one killers in a fire.

Fire gases are superheated, reaching

temperatures in excess of 600oC in less

than four minutes, shooting metre long

jets though tiny cracks and gaps in a

wall. You don’t want this coming at you

through a wall on your escape route or

setting fire to the room you’re in!

In April ‘hands on’ FPANZ workshops

were held in Auckland in conjunction with

Winstone Wallboards aimed at those

FPANZ members who are installing

and quoting fire stopping of service

penetrations. They provided the theory,

handy tips and practical side of fire

stopping for cables, sprinkler pipe,

conduit, a small cable tray and a manual

call point installed through a plasterboard

wall with actual examples from five

different suppliers.

Key learnings from the sessions were

that penetrations through passive fire

protection (PFP) elements must be:

— Planned and correctly specified

at the design stage.

— Tested and certified by the

manufacturer for the specific

intended use.

— Correctly installed at the right time,

according to the manufacturer’s details.

— Identified with a ‘Firestop Penetration

Label’ for maintenance, inspection

and BWOF.

The Fire Protection Association of

New Zealand (FPANZ), a not for profit

member organization, was established

in 1975 and is supported by Winstone

Wallboards. It is the national body for fire

safety and provides information, services

and education to the fire protection

industry and the community at large.

NEW RECRUITMENTS

RICHARD EATON

Architectural Specifier

Representative

Relationships and support with the

Architectural Specifier fraternity has

always been an important facet of

Winstone Wallboards’ business and the

current industry environment has meant

this area is even more crucial.

Richard Eaton has been appointed

to the position of Area Sales Manager,

Architectural.

Richard has worked extensively as an

architectural technician for a number of

architectural practices, mostly in New

Zealand but also in the UK, and comes

with a wealth of experience on a variety

of architectural projects including retail,

commercial, educational and residential

projects. He brings a skill set that we see

as crucial in the current environment.

Knowledge around BIM objects, the

New Zealand Building Code, design,

plan drafting, building consent processes

and client liaison will be very beneficial to

Winstone Wallboards.

Richard will be working very closely with

John Kitchen (Area Sales Manager Lead,

Architectural/Commercial).

STEVEN LINDSAY

Area Sales Manager

We are pleased to announce that Steven

Lindsay has been appointed to the

position of Area Sales Manager based

in Christchurch. He brings a range of

experience with over 25 years in the

building industry with the last twelve

years with Paslode as National Group

Housing/Commercial Manager. Steven

will bring deep knowledge of both

Commercial and Residential Construction

along with strong relationships with key

building merchants around Christchurch

and the South Island.

Steven joined the high performing

Christchurch team on 9 May and will be

working closely with Dale Hammett (Area

Sales Manager Lead, South Island) and

we are very pleased to have him

on board.

SCHEDULE ADEQUATE TIME FOR STOPPING COMPOUNDS TO DRY

PRODUCT

by Robert Steele

Technical Manager

Products

Why does a compound jointing system

work fine in summer and then sometimes

during a cold and/or wet period in winter

appear to shrink back, or take an age

to dry?

It’s all about water, and how quickly water

can evaporate from a surface to air, to

ensure the jointing compound has dried.

Why do compounds need to be dry

completely before the next coat is applied?

— If a jointing coat is not dry, it has not

finished shrinking.

— If a second coat is applied to a first coat

that is not dry, it cannot correct the

shrinkage in the first coat that has not

happened yet, so is more likely to shrink

as well, creating more shrinkage.

— If a top coat of air drying compound is

applied to a wet jointing coat, it may

bubble or pin hole, as well as shrink.

— If a joint is damp or wet, and paint

is applied, the paint can bubble

on application.

— If a joint is damp or wet, the paint can

take longer to dry, which can result

in adhesion issues between the paint

and the compound.

— Delayed shrinkage can result in

expensive call backs. Delayed

shrinkage can occur months after

stopping has been completed. In very

poor drying conditions, drying can be

delayed and then further delayed with

the application of paint over the joint.

Then when the weather improves, the

final drying and shrinkage will occur

and may require remedial work.

It is stated on GIB Tradeset® bags under

“Drying times” that 24 hours during

normal conditions is usually sufficient.

In a laboratory at 21°C and 60% relative

humidity, a base coat of GIB Tradeset®

on GIB® Standard Plasterboard and

paper tape takes up to 14.5 hours to dry.

Construction sites are not laboratories

and will cool down overnight and

continually fluctuate in humidity and

temperature. The average humidity level

in the main centres of New Zealand

varies between 80% and 84%, meaning

much less drying and longer drying times

compared to the laboratory results. So

weather conditions with a high of 20°C

and normal humidity results in advice

to leave the joint for 24 hours before

application of the next coat due to the

variables noted. In cold, wet weather

these times are inappropriate, and either

a considerably longer time frame should

be allowed for drying of the joint, or

heating should be employed, or both.

How to get each coat dry in poor

drying conditions?

— Leave for at least twice as long a

period of time to dry as per normal,

or more if possible.

— Open a window by about 100mm

at each end of the structure so air

change can occur and humidity within

the structure is lowered overnight, to

achieve better drying conditions.

— Use heaters to heat the building

overnight. Avoid heating above 18°C

as this can cause other issues. Whilst

heating the structure, leave the windows

open slightly to ensure air change to

enable lower humidity air in to aid drying.

— If very wet, or foggy, use a

dehumidifier overnight only with the

structure sealed from the outside.

Do not leave the windows open when

using a dehumidifier system.

left to right: John Kitchen, Kelly Littlewood, Dale Hammett and Andrew Campbell.

GIB® News GIB® News Issue Two 2016Issue Two 2016 76

EVENTS

by Nicole Stock

Market Manager

Commercial

Described as New Zealand’s foremost

design, interiors, and lighting trade

exhibition, DesignEx ran between

4–6 August at the Horncastle Arena,

Christchurch. Winstone Wallboards

has been involved with BuildEx

and DesignEx for a number of years,

but this year, we wanted to do

something different.

We worked with Sarosh Mulla, Liz

Tjahjana and Aaron Paterson from

award winning architects Paterson

Architecture Collective (PAC) to design a

stand that rethought what a tradeshow

stand could be. How could we use

design to create a surprising experience

when you walked into the space?

How could we create an oasis from

the bright lights and bustle of the show?

How could we present GIB® products

in a raw and unique way?

Tradeshow stands tend to be bright

displays showcasing new products; the

design of the stand simply a backdrop

for the sales pitch. We thought, if it’s

designers visiting the stand — let’s

give them a design experience first

and foremost, while also creating an

environment where they can talk with

our technical team.

The design has a square footprint

with the three exterior walls made

up of vertical fins of unstopped

GIB® plasterboard.

The fins fan out at different widths

creating a louvered effect that screens

the stand but also opens up to invite

visitors inside. Placed in the centre

of the stand, plinths allow the team to

display models of our systems including

new GIBFix® Framing and the GIB®

Intertenancy Barrier systems.

The architects, along with the craftsmanship

of builder Patrick Donoghue, managed to

create something unique for visitors

to DesignEx. If you missed out on

seeing the GIB® stand and want to learn

more about about our updates to the

GIB EzyBrace® software and solutions

for Terrace Homes, give our technical

team a call to arrange a training on any

of our products and systems.

TALKING TRADE

TECHNICAL

by Dale Olsen

Technical Support

and Training Manager

Most of us will have heard recent reports

from the industry regarding substandard

work being carried out. While this problem

is not entirely new it seems to grow when

the building sector is in boom times. There

is a high demand on all trades at present

and it can be a balancing act between

trying to keep up with the work itself and

the need for learning what we don’t know,

but also what we should know.

Reports advise that housing markets like

Auckland are changing fast with the types

of buildings we are constructing. It is

predicted that in 2017 approximately 50%

of all the homes built in Auckland will be

apartment or terraced style homes.

The nature of this construction comes with

new challenges for the designer, project

manager, builder and the building inspector.

It’s immediately noticeable that access to

these sites is very tight with little space for

scaffolding, rubbish skips, materials and

deliveries. Scheduling and coordination

becomes a vital part in the project’s success.

These projects also have an increased

number of performance systems coming

together like fire, noise, bracing and wet areas

being used in the same areas of the building.

The Training and Support Team at

Winstone Wallboards is made up of

people from the trade and design sector.

They understand the needs of the

people on site and behind the drawing

board because they have been there.

The team is able to come to site or your

place of work and provide training on the

systems that are specified on the job.

The presentations are delivered in a

friendly conversational style and can be

tailored to suit your needs and that of the

audience. Visit the GIB® website to fill out

a training request sheet. gib.co.nz/training.

THE GROWTH OF TERRACE HOMES

TECHNICAL

by Nicole Stock

Market Manager

Commercial

Housing has frequently made the headlines

over the past few months. As well as a

shortage of good quality, affordable houses

around the country, events like the debates

around the Unitary Plan in Auckland have

put attention on the building industry and

the forces that shape our cities.

New Zealand is growing and changing,

and our cities, in different ways,

need to respond to those changes.

Demographics are changing with an

aging population and more single or

couple households. How people want

to live is also changing. As proximity

to transport and urban centres rise

in desirability, there is a shift by many

away from large standalone houses

to apartments or terrace homes. And

of course, as prices hit record levels,

particularly in Auckland, choosing a

smaller home becomes a necessity

for many.

BRANZ has forecast that by 2017,

multi-unit dwellings with make up a third

of all new consented dwellings, and,

in Auckland, this will be closer to 50%.

Some of these multi-unit projects will be

apartments, but a great number will be

terrace homes. Over the past four years,

there has been a steady rise in the

number of consents for terrace homes

as a percentage of total dwellings,

sitting currently at 21%. With planning

changes, and a need to build more

homes, this figure looks set to continue

to rise.

However, in our research we found

that while many of these houses are

being developed, there is a gap in

experience and expertise by designers,

builders and inspectors in the shift from

detached houses to attached houses.

Terrace homes have fire and acoustic

requirements that standalone houses

needn’t consider as well as tighter

programming, planning and space

constraints. We realised that architects

and contractors needed two things:

— Cost effective, high performance

intertenancy systems that are easy

to detail and install.

— Better information on the requirements

and considerations of terrace homes,

including an overview of different

systems and effective ways to compare

those systems.

Shortly, we will be launching new

GIB® Intertenancy Barrier Systems for

Terrace Homes as well as the GIB®

Terrace Home Guide. Offering both

guidance and robust solutions, we hope

to support the industry in building more

and better homes.

GIB® stand at DesignEx

GIB® HELPLINE 0800 100 442

above: Render of the GIB® DesignEx pavilion.

Get in touch via our website gib.co.nz

Call the GIB® helpline 0800 100 442

top: (L-R) Troy Smith, Marketing Manager (WWB); Martin Dippie, Chairman (Mitre 10); Neil Cowie, CEO (Mitre 10). above: (L-R) Duncan McGhie, General Manager Source to Shelf (Mitre 10); Craig Miller, Commercial Manager (WWB); Troy Smith, Marketing Manager (WWB); and Adam Wolf, Group Manager Merchandise (Mitre 10).

CRUCIAL SPONSORSHIP PUTS GIB® AT HEART OF CANTERBURY

EVENTS

by Gordon White

Market Manager

Residential

Winstone Wallboards has supported the

Canterbury Crusaders for the last three

years and we are proud to announce an

extension of that commitment as National

Sponsors so you’ll continue to see the

GIB® brand displayed prominently on the

players’ jerseys and around the Crusader

Stadium both now and into the future.

The renewal of the sponsorship is a

small recognition of our ongoing

commitment to the wider Canterbury

area as rebuild activity continues at

pace across the region.

The Crusaders represent is a great fit

with the GIB® brand with their continued

commitment to the local community, a

strong history of excellence, and proven

performance in customer service being

hallmarks of both organisations.

The sponsorship is a great way to show

our on-going commitment to not only

trade and specifier customers working on

rebuild projects but is also an opportunity

to give back to the city of Christchurch

where Winstone Wallboards has been

manufacturing GIB® plasterboard for

over 50 years.

right: Crusaders Team members with our DTS Competition Winner Barry, from Ryman Healthcare. far right: Crusaders Team members with Dave McLeod and his team from John Ross Homes, winner of our DTS Competition, and Barbara Tie, Natasha Evans and Richard Scales from Winstone Wallboards.

GREAT SERVICE — IT’S IN OUR DNA

EVENTS

by Karen Richter

Marketing

Communication

Executive

At Winstone Wallboards customer service

always comes first. It’s this simple idea

applied to all aspects of our business

which keeps us ahead of the competition

and something which has seen us win

Mitre 10’s 2016 Building Products Supplier

of the Year Award.

Winstone Wallboards battled it out with

three other finalists — Southern Pine

Products Ltd, Independent Building

Supplies, and Aquatica NZ Ltd in the

building products category to take away

the top prize at the Mitre 10 International

Conference in Shanghai, China on 28

April 2016.

Winstone Wallboards received the award

in recognition of consistent performance

in delivering great products, on time and

backed up with high quality technical

support and after sales service.

Over the last few years these awards

have been hotly contested with Winstone

Wallboards consistently making it as

a finalist.

This award is recognition of the hard

work the team has put in with this

important customer,” says Winstone

Wallboards Residential Market Manager

Gordon White.

Winstone Wallboards’ Marketing

Manager Troy Smith and Commercial

Manager Craig Miller were on hand to

receive the award in Shanghai.

“