Waterproofing specialist IKO is rebranding its high-performance bituminous roofing membrane products. The ‘Ultra’ range will include the Specification range of bituminous membranes (including IKO Ultra Prevent, Mach Two, Goldseal, Safestick and UPXL) as well as ancillary underlays and Air and Vapour Control Layer (AVCL) solutions. IKO Sales Director, Kevin O’Connell, explains the reasons behind the initiative.

For a number of years IKO has been known for offering the widest range of products for the waterproofing, insulation and roofing sectors. Since the acquisitions which launched IKO into the UK waterproofing market they have used the same brand names, some of which held little relevance to the family of products to which they belonged.

Hence this rebrand will allow them, their clients and approved contractor network to identify what to expect when they engage with the IKO Ultra Product Range.

IKO want to take the friction out of the product selection process as much as possible. In this digital age, they want specifiers to be able to get to what they want more quickly.

When selecting the IKO Ultra family of products, specifiers can be sure that the systems meet industry requirements and will receive excellent technical support. Whether it be for a commercial, education, residential or hospital building, IKO will be able to easily identify the best solution.

The ‘Ultra’ Package

The common causes of premature flat roofing failure include incorrect specification, poor workmanship and inferior products. The IKO Ultra Range will reassure contractors and specifiers that the products are part of a range for which all components have been tested to the relevant industry requirement.

IKO takes no shortcuts on this issue and all certification is in place prior to a product’s launch.

When buying from the IKO Ultra Products Range, customers have access to their technical support team, who are available to offer on-site surveys, as well as guidance during a project’s design and construction phase.

This ensures the specified waterproofing system meets all the requirements in terms of building regulations and long-term performance. In addition, IKO’s approved contractor network is regularly assessed in order to establish that they have the correct qualifications and procedures for a particular waterproofing installation.

The Range

IKO’s Ultra Range covers a wide array of products from their bituminous membrane offering.

These include IKO Ultra Prevent, IKO Goldseal, IKO Mach Two and IKO Safestick Prevent. As part of the IKO Ultra System, solutions such as IKO Systems Heat-Activated (H-A) Underlay, and IKO Systems Torch-Free (T-F) Underlay will also feature, along with specialist AVCL products.

New and Improved

IKO’s Research and Development department has also been working hard to develop a hybrid solution to replace the premium IKO UPXL Product. Currently, the cap sheet has a Torch-on and Torch-Free option which will be replaced by this universal product.

This innovative option will offer greater flexibility for contractors when ordering and storing material without compromising quality. The product has a 350g carrier, enhanced mineral and root-inhibitor. The 30-year guarantee and premium contractor network installing the system provide the client with a versatile and robust system.

Manufactured in the UK

With ‘Ultra’, IKO is applying premier recognition to its elite bituminous membrane range which is manufactured at Appley Bridge in Lancashire. The range also includes IKO enertherm High-performance Insulation, all of which is manufactured in Alconbury in Cambridgeshire.

This UK manufacturing capability enhances a building project’s sustainability credentials by significantly reducing transportation and delivery-based emissions.

Digital Link

From the warehouse manager to the data input teams and all departments in between, a huge amount of hard work and imagination has been expended on delivering this IKO Ultra rebrand.

IKO could not have achieved the finished goal without their skill and dedication. The service offer for IKO Ultra Life (30) is also enhanced with this new system including bespoke delivery service, increase technical monitoring, prestart support and 12 months site visit.

In order to enhance the specification process, each IKO Ultra Product will include a webpage-linked QR code where data sheets will be among a raft of information designed to assure customers of an item’s quality.

It will also include certification data, thus confirming that a product has been fully-tested and is compliant in terms of fire safety regulations. Each ‘Ultra’ product’s fire safety performance is assessed as part of the overall waterproof system, thus guaranteeing specifiers of its worth as an effective barrier to heat and flame once in situ.

IKO are very excited to be bringing our exclusive bituminous membrane range under the IKO Ultra banner. It will help burnish its identity on the marketplace, whilst the provision of a digital link to a wealth of product information will support a quicker, more effective specification process.

The IKO Ultra Range is designed to improve the experience of their bituminous solutions customers, but it is also an aim for the construction industry as whole to benefit from its quality in the form of better-built, better-protected properties.