On behalf of Mr. John Newcomb, Ufemat President, and Mr. Palle Thomsen, Chief Executive Officer Danske Byggecentre, I am delighted to invite you to the 64th Ufemat Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Marnix Van Hoe
Secretary General Ufemat
On behalf of Mr. John Newcomb, Ufemat President, and Mr. Palle Thomsen, Chief Executive Officer Danske Byggecentre, I am delighted to invite you to the 64th Ufemat Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Marnix Van Hoe
Secretary General Ufemat
by Palle Thomsen
in collaboration with EuroCommerce
By Mathias Lönneker, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of STARK Group
STARK comprises of 14 brands including one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchant Jewson, along with Gibbs & Dandy, JP Corry and Normans, specialist brands Minster and Jewson Civils Frazer, and major timber importer and distributor, International Timber. https://starkgroup.dk/
by Palle Thomsen
in collaboration with EuroCommerce
By Mathias Lönneker, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of STARK Group
STARK comprises of 14 brands including one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchant Jewson, along with Gibbs & Dandy, JP Corry and Normans, specialist brands Minster and Jewson Civils Frazer, and major timber importer and distributor, International Timber. https://starkgroup.dk/
Dear
After the strangest of summers, we hope this letter finds you well and the building materials industry in your country in good shape.
It has been some months since our last communication and we all have faced pressing national priorities during that time. We have also adapted our working practices in order to support our members safely within a COVID-19 secure environment.
One thing we have all become familiar with is the virtual meeting. It will come as no surprise that the Ufemat Annual General Assembly will be held as a virtual meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 15 October 2020.
As well as our formal AGM, the afternoon will include two valuable presentations.
One will outline the results of a research project on the Building Materials Market across Europe undertaken by the Builders Merchants Federation’s Industry Analyst and Economist, Nyssa Patel.
The other focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by e-commerce and will be delivered by Simon Barkes, Incoming President of ETIM International.
Simon is the MD of an electrical wholesaling business in the UK and was previously President of the UK Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA). He has also served as President of the European Union of Electrical Wholesalers. Together with EDA CEO, Margaret Fitzsimons, Simon was responsible for introducing the ETIM standard to the electrotechnical sector in the UK. Following this, he was involved in the creation of ETIM UK Limited, which enabled the HVAC and Plumbing and Building Materials sectors to join the initiative through the BMF.
COVID-19 has highlighted several valuable lessons for building materials and distribution businesses. They must be able to adapt quickly to the changing needs of customers and clients; to operate remotely; and be e-commerce enabled. To achieve this we need high-quality, structured product data that can be transferred with ease to websites, e-commerce platforms and partners in the value chain – and ETIM provides a structured solution.
We look forward to “virtually” seeing you at the Annual General Assembly and ask you to complete the registration form to confirm your attendance.
Stay safe and keep well.
Best regards
John Newcomb
President Ufemat
Marnix Van Hoe
Secretary General Ufemat
Chief Danish Economist
Group Commercial Director, Heidelberger
CEO of the deconstruction company Tscherning
Director, Advocacy and Political Affairs, EuroCommerce
Secretary General, ASCER
Manager Recydata, VALIPAC
Group Strategy Director of STARK Group
Head of Sustainability at Velux
Chief Danish Economist
CEO of the deconstruction company Tscherning
Director General, EuroCommerce
Group Strategy Director of STARK Group
Head of Sustainability at Velux
Thursday 26th of September 2024
Conference room at 1. Floor
After a short walk of 5-10 minutes from Radisson Hotel we will be at Villa Copenhagen, Tietgensgade 35.
Since 1909 the building of Villa Copenhagen has been a liaison to the world and a landmark for Copenhagen as the former Danish Post and Telegraph office.
We will have dinner in the Brasserie Kontrast.
A cosmopolitan brasserie focused on the contrasting flavours of locally grown ingredients.
The courtyard bar at Villa.
The perfect place for a nightcap before going back to the hotel.
Friday 27th of September 2024
of The Johannes FOG Group 9 am – 12 am
The Johannes Fog Group celebrated its 100 years anniversary in 2020.
In March 2023 the Group opened their new headquarters in Lyngby in the outskirts of Copenhagen.
Apart from the headquarters it includes a large building center, a high-end design shop, a business school, apartments for students and shops for rent.
Conference program
John Newcomb, BMF / Marnix Van Hoe, UFEMAT / Palle Thomsen, Danish Building Centres
Curt Liliegreen, Chief Danish Economist
Andy Murphy, Group Commercial Director
Heidelberger
Søren Tscherning, CEO of the deconstruction company Tscherning
“The Tscherning House” – The new headquarters of the company. Explore the potential of limiting the material palette to only elements salvaged from demolitions around Denmark. Every piece brought in has a story that can be traced back to a demolition site, a particular building, or a specific process.
Joanna Inglis, Director, Advocacy and Political Affairs, EuroCommerce
EuroCommerce is the principal European organization representing the retail and wholesale sector. It embraces national associations in 27 countries, sector associations and international companies.
Alberto Echavarría, Secretary General
ASCER
Mathias Lönneker, Group Strategy Director of STARK Group
Michiel van de Plas, Manager Recydata
VALIPAC
Lone Feifer, Director for Sustainable Buildings VELUX
Living Places is a new way of thinking buildings – combing a dialogue with traditions of the past with innovations of the future, creating health and wellbeing for people and planet. More about the development and details behind the housing concept with the lowest footprint in Denmark. We do not have to wait for future technology to improve people’s lives while being regenerative for the planet.
FOG has 9 branches and employs 450 people. Included in this site is an impressive Auditorium and a high-end design shop for retail sales.
We are going on a guided tour in “Living Places” in Copenhagen.
At VELUX, they believe it’s time to rethink how buildings can help resolve global climate and health challenges through sustainable solutions and practical action.
Together with their partners EFFEKT and Artelia, they set out to make an impact on the building industry. An industry accounting for up to 40% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Welcome to Living Places Copenhagen - an experimental living environment that shows we do not have to wait for future technology to construct healthier, more sustainable buildings for people alongside planet.
The exhibition consists of seven prototypes – five open pavilions and two completed homes – showcasing our proposition for healthy, ultra-low carbon homes and communities.
Each prototype has its own specific program, curated to show the synergy between how we live in homes and communities, and the role of buildings herein.
Partner program
Rosenborg is located in the center of Copenhagen. In the middle of Kongens Have (the king's garden), the Life Guards guard the entire Danish treasury, which for 400 years has taken care of Danish kings and queens’ most precious treasures. The castle was originally built in 1606-1607 as a summer residence by order of Christian IV.
The Great Hall
The Great Hall is the heart of the palace. The Great Hall provides the magnificent setting for the King’s gala dinners when state visits take place and evening events are held. This is where you will find Her Royal Highness Queen Margrethe II's tapestries.
The Throne Room where Her Royal Highness Queen Margrethe II abdicated and King Frederik X was crowned January 14th 2024.
Located in the heart of Copenhagen at the Danish parliament, ‘Meyers i Tårnet’ is a contemporary Danish restaurant inspired by the Nordic kitchen and the ingredients of the season.
Enjoy your meal with a view towards the many towers of the city and get inspired by the Danish kitchen, that among other things counts a lunch menu with a wide selection of open-faced sandwiches.
Dinner program
Home of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Kronborg Castle is on the
list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Drinks and dinner will be served in the old living room of the castle.
Welcome drink offered by INCENTIVISE.
During the dinner there will be entertainment including two actors performing scenes from Hamlet - Shakespeare's most popular play that took place at Kronborg Castle.
Saturday 28th of September 2024
Saturday sightseeing
Copenhagen’s harbour has always played a central role in the city, reflecting its spirit. Once a fishermen’s and merchants’ port, it since evolved into an industrial dock before transforming into a cultural and recreative space.
Over the past 25 years, the city of Copenhagen has taken measures that have resulted in the improvement of the water quality of its former industrial harbour, turning it into today’s recreational harbour with watersports.
The harbour front has been kept open for public access, and it’s possible to walk or cycle around the entire harbour basin, crossing the many bike bridges on your way.
The world's first design hotel by designer and architect Arne Jacobsen, making it the true home of Danish modernism. Constructed in 1960, the building still dominates the city skyline.
An Egg, A Swan and A Butterfly in the Lobby?
This must be the Radisson in Copenhagen.
An unforgettable night at Kronborg Castle!
Last month, the legendary Hamlet himself made an appearance at the 64th UFEMAT Congress, held at the historic Kronborg Castle in Denmark. In the spirit of both Shakespearean drama and the steadfast dedication of our industry, the Prince of Denmark delivered a speech that will undoubtedly resonate through the halls of UFEMAT’s history.
His words reminded us of the passion behind our purpose, and the significance of the mission UFEMAT has championed since 1958—linking trade bodies and building bridges for the betterment of Europe's construction and materials sector. Hamlet, ever the sharp observer, acknowledged the tireless efforts of outgoing President John Newcomb, whose leadership echoes the grace and resilience of our industry. A toast was also raised to Secretary General Marnix Van Hoe, a cornerstone in our organization, whose dedication ensures that UFEMAT remains as sturdy as the walls of Kronborg itself.
“Tonight, let us raise a glass to John Newcomb, the outgoing president from England. His leadership has surely kept you all busier than the carpenters in Elsinore! Like a true Shakespearean hero, he has navigated the complexities of European trade with the grace of a diplomat and the cunning of a merchant.”
As Palle Thomsen prepares to step into leadership, Hamlet left us with a timeless reminder: whether faced with spreadsheets or drawbridges, the spirit of collaboration and resilience keeps us strong.
“And while Palle Thomsen, who will soon take the reins, prefers to remain out of the limelight, let’s quietly acknowledge that the future of UFEMAT is in capable hands.”
Here’s to progress that stands the test of time! Here’s to UFEMAT’s future!
UFEMAT- Brusselsesteenweg 524 B 6 - B-1731 Zellik – Belgium - T. +32-2-466.24.83 - ufemat@ufemat.eu - www.ufemat.eu - website by Artex