Author: Siobhan Martin

IG Masonry Support, a division of The Keystone Group, has announced the promotion of Kyle Alexander to General Manager, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing innovative products and exceptional service to its valued customers.

Kyle brings nearly two decades of experience within the Keystone Group to the role, having started his career as a Technical Engineer  in 2006. Over the years, Kyle has become a familiar face across the Keystone Group family, contributing to the success of businesses like Keystone Lintels and Keylite Roof Windows. His diverse experience spans sales, quoting, structural engineering, detailing, and logistics – a true testament to his versatility and commitment.

Kyle joined IG Masonry Support as an Account Manager in 2012 and progressed through several project management roles before becoming Project and Engineering Manager in 2019.  His extensive experience with the company makes him a strong candidate for the General Manager position.

In this new role, Kyle will focus on the entire customer experience, ensuring a positive interaction from initial contact through product delivery. He will also continue his important work on the Building Safety Act and company accreditations while contributing to the development of other areas of the business.

Delighted with his promotion, Kyle said: “Since joining the Keystone Group in 2006, I’ve enjoyed working with several of its businesses, including Keystone Lintels, Keylite Roof Windows, IG Lintels, and most recently, IG Masonry Support,” says Kyle. “I’ve been fortunate to have held many varied roles within these businesses, and as General Manager, I’ll leverage all my experience to oversee the customer journey from the initial inquiry through product delivery. I’ve witnessed many changes during my 13 years with IG Masonry Support, and I aim to build on our success and growth by continuing to deliver excellent customer service supported by our unrivaled range of quality products.”

IG Masonry Support believes Kyle’s leadership will be instrumental in the company’s continued growth and solidify its position as an industry leader.

Building product manufacturer IG Masonry Support is delighted to help build the skills of the next generation of bricklayers through its sponsorship of the Stephen Burke Academy Bricklaying Workshop in Swadlincote.

On Thursday 5th December, Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) welcomed teams from IG Masonry Support, along with the Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council, Dr. Justin Ives, to officially launch the partnership.

The Stephen Burke Construction Academy (SBCA), located close to the manufacturer’s factory in South Derbyshire, is a purpose-built facility where learners can develop practical skills in realistic working environments. Through this partnership, IG Masonry Support has provided the bricklaying workshop with tools and modern masonry materials, allowing learners to gain industry-recognised qualifications while perfecting their chosen trade in a real-life setting.

A new steelwork rig has been installed at the SBCA, giving students the opportunity to practice building brickwork systems that resemble those used in commercial structures. This advanced setup complements the existing housebuilding elements within the programme, offering a well-rounded skill set.

In addition, IG Masonry Support has donated essential materials, including 25 packs of bricks and an ongoing supply of consumables for workshops, ensuring learners have access to high-quality resources for hands-on learning. Branded T-shirts featuring the logos of IG Masonry Support and BSDC have also been provided for learners. In addition to material donations, IG Masonry Support has offered Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events for both learners and staff, providing valuable opportunities to deepen their knowledge and engage directly with industry experts.

This initiative reflects IG Masonry Support’s dedication to corporate responsibility and community involvement. By partnering with educational institutions, the company aims to inspire the next generation of engineers, construction workers and bricklayers.

Andy Neal, Managing Director at IG Masonry Support, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Stephen Burke Academy and support the development of future bricklaying talent. By providing modern tools and materials, we’re ensuring these learners are trained in the latest construction methods, preparing them for successful careers in the industry. This sponsorship aligns perfectly with our commitment to nurturing the communities in which we operate and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals.”

Director of Curriculum, Geraint Davies added: “We are grateful to IG Masonry Support for these contributions, which have elevated the quality of our brickwork and masonry programmes. Working with local employers is a key part of our curriculum development and these relationships play an important role in preparing students for the workforce and helping them develop the practical skills required for successful careers in the construction industry.”

This partnership marks a major step in bridging the gap between education and industry, allowing students to be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the evolving construction sector.

Dr. Justin Ives, Chief Executive of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “We are delighted to see this partnership between IG Masonry Support and Burton and South Derbyshire College. This collaboration will provide invaluable opportunities for young people in our area to develop the skills they need to succeed in the construction industry. It’s great to see local businesses supporting our community in this way.”

Keystone Group is pleased to announce that its largest-ever Charity Football Tournament has raised substantial funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Employees from each brand within the Group participated in the event held at St George’s Park in Burton-Upon-Trent on Saturday 21st September.

The generous donations, collected from employees, customers, friends and families, reached over £10,000. The funds will provide vital support for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity which operates and funds three air ambulances covering six Midlands counties including Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Congratulations to the team from Smartroof Ltd who won the tournament and a big thank you to everyone who made the event a success.

IG Masonry Support proudly announces its sponsorship of the Residential (multiple dwellings) award category for the 2024 Sheffield Design Awards.

The Awards celebrate architectural excellence and innovation across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

The Residential (multiple dwellings) Award recognises outstanding design in developments containing more than one dwelling. Projects are evaluated based on their aesthetic merits, consideration of place and space, and commitment to sustainability. This category highlights the crucial role architecture plays in creating harmonious living spaces for communities.

IG Masonry Support continues to champion sustainable practices and architectural creativity as part of its commitment to supporting quality design. Company representatives will be attending the Awards on the 14th of November to celebrate the talented architects and designers who have been shortlisted and chosen as winners of the Awards up for grabs.

For more information on the Awards, visit the Sheffield Design Awards website.

We are delighted to announce that our Welded Masonry Support (WMS) system has become a certified Passive House component and marked us as the first masonry support manufacturer to receive Passive House certification for a masonry support system. 

The globally recognised standard for the construction of low-energy buildings, Passive House homes offer ‘thermal bridge free’ construction and are characterised by high levels of comfort with very low energy consumption. To be certified by the Passive House Institute, products must be tested according to uniform criteria and proven to be of excellent quality regarding energy efficiency.

Following the testing and certification process, our WMS system achieved an impressive Class phA. This advanced component status is just one level below the highest possible standard. Compromising fixed brackets welded to a stainless steel angle support shelf, our WMS systems are designed and manufactured to engineers’ specifications on a project basis and the material content of the system is optimised to ensure the most economical solution is designed. Each system is supplied with fixings and Thermal A1 Fire-rated Shims to prevent any thermal transfer to the building.

Andy Neal, Managing Director of IG Masonry Support said: ‘We are thrilled our Welded Masonry Support has been awarded Passive House certification. Third-party certification for structural products has never been more important within the construction industry and Passive House certification is widely recognised as one of the most rigorous design and construction standards.”

The Passive House Institute evaluated the Welded Masonry Support system and it represented the successful construction of a certified passive house component that works with regard to the tested parameters. This third-party certification provides confidence and reassurance for architects and specifiers when using this system that it meets the Passive House standard.

Find out more about our Welded Masonry Support systems and other certifications that it holds.