Turkey: Assan Panel has added two new insulation boards to its product range. Its new AssanBoard insulation boards consist of a polyurethane (PUR)-polyisocyanurate (PIR) mix, while its new AssanWool insulation boards are made of stone wool. The company says that both boards are suitable for roof trapezoidal sheet, seam system, cassette and curtain wall system use, as well as for use in acoustic applications and fire compartment applications.

Ireland/US: Ireland-based Kingspan has pulled out of bidding for Firestone Building Products. Bloomberg News has reported that both Kingspan and Standard Industries have dropped out of the auction. The roofing and building materials company was expected to reach a value of Euro2bn. The deadline for submitting offers is 28 December 2020.

Earlier in December 2020, Kingspan’s chief executive officer (CEO) Gene Murtagh apologised for ‘process shortcomings’ that have been highlighted by the ongoing Grenfell Tower Inquiry in the UK.

US: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim has said that it is in talks with Bridgestone about its possible acquisition of the latter’s energy-saving roofing systems specialist subsidiary Firestone Building Products. Bloomberg News has reported that talks are in their advanced stages and may conclude before 9 January 2020.

UK/Ireland: Kingspan UK head of insulation boards Peter Wilson will retire from the company at the end of 2020. Wilson will also step down from his position on the producer’s board of directors.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Gene Murtagh has also apologised for ‘process shortcomings’ that have been highlighted by the ongoing Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The Irish Times newspaper reports that the company used flawed safety tests to market its Kooltherm K15 insulation product, some of which was used on the building. Murtagh used his Christmas 2020 address to staff to pledge trust-rebuilding action. He said that the company will treat the issues raised in the inquiry with the ‘utmost seriousness.’

In other personnel changes, Alan Lawlor has been appointed Divisional Managing Director of Kingspan's Insulation Boards Division with responsibility for its global activities. He is currently chief financial officer of Kingspan's Insulation Boards Division and managing director of Kingspan Insulation, Southern Europe.

Jim Carolan has been appointed as Group Head of Compliance & Certification with immediate effect, reporting to the Group chief executive officer (CEO). The group said that in this newly created role he will be responsible for ensuring a rigorous approach to certification, testing and product compliance across all Group divisions. Carolan's prior role was as Operations Director in Kingspan's Insulated Panel's Division.