January 2004


Ash & Lacy Building Systems have launched a new website which brings together the company's impressive building envelope product portfolio under one umbrella. Aimed at both the specifier and contractor, the site has been specifically designed to meet the needs of Ash & Lacy's extensive customer base. To ensure all visitors gain maximum benefit the site, which can be visited   at www.ashandlacy.com was developed taking into account the findings from the recent Barbour Report “Exploring the Web as an Information Tool”. Key features of the site include; simple and user-friendly navigation, accessible product and technical information, advanced search facilities, downloadable CAD details together with a range of essential design tools.

The home page prominently displays site contents such as technical / product information, product search facilities and contact details which were highlighted by the report as fundamental requirements by website users. With a single ‘click' information can be accessed directly and aided by a high-speed search facility where required. All product information can be downloaded electronically and visitors are able to request quotations, check on the status of their order and ask for technical advice on-line. The design tools section of the site provides a selection of downloadable CAD details, together with a U-value calculator for the company's Ashgrid spacer support system and a calculation package to determine gutter requirements.

To aid navigation all menus and instructions are consistent throughout the site and the users location is clearly signposted at all times. In every instance the number of 'clicks' needed to reach the required information are kept to a minimum. Interestingly the Barbour report found that log-ins which feature on many construction industry web sites act as a major deterrent and should be avoided where at all possible. Taking this finding on board the Ash & Lacy website has been specifically designed without any log-ins or pass-worded sections and all downloadable information is quickly and freely accessed.

Commenting on the new Ash & Lacy website, Managing Director, Bryan Carey said:

"As technology improves, the main obstacle to the use of the Internet is no longer access or speed of delivery, but in fact inadequate site content which is often compounded further by poor search facilities. To address this we have aimed to make our new site as user-friendly as possible by not only providing the information specifiers and contractors require but also by doing so in a way that meets the needs of the visitors to our site. This combined with our high-speed search facilities and a range of invaluable design tools should prove to be a winning combination."

Ash & Lacy Building Systems are one of the UK's leading manufacturers and distributors of cladding products and accessories to the construction industry. The extensive product range includes the recently launched Ashzip standing seam roofing system, the industry standard Ashgrid spacer support system and the Ashjack lightweight structural frame for flat to pitch roof conversions. The company also offers a comprehensive range of Ashfab bespoke fabrications, Ashflow rainwater goods, Ashfix fasteners & accessories together with the Ashtech rainscreen cladding range.