Let’s face it, the UK is no stranger to the wrath of Mother Nature – just this week we were battered by gale force winds and snowfall. Worryingly, an increasing number of polytunnels are falling victim to the UK’s unpredictable weather, leaving many farmers and growers wondering when Mother Nature is poised to pull off her next unexpected trick.

The brand new ROBUS range from NP Structures, hailed as the ‘Next Generation of Commercial Polytunnels’ has been designed and manufactured to solve this “growing problem”;

Mike Houldsworth, Head Engineer at NP Structures said,

“Until now there has never been a way of measuring the quality of the polytunnels. All the models in our ROBUS range have been tested with stress analysis software, to ensure they resist snow and wind loadings”

Why is a ROBUS polytunnel different from other polytunnel structures?

Surprisingly polytunnels are not subject to building regulations – regardless of size. Nor do they have to comply with any British or European standards. With an increase in claims being brought to insurance companies Ian Wolfenden said, “We foresee a hardening of the stance taken by insurance companies, to the point where they may refuse to insure polytunnels unless they are BS/EN compliant”

Over forty years experience designing and manufacturing polytunnels means NP Structures understand the changing needs of their customers. The multi span ROBUS range of polytunnels offers farmers and growers a solution that is safer, more reliable and stronger than their predecessors.

As well as being BS/EN compliant the ROBUS range also offers;

• Reduction in Construction Time – due to standardisation on fittings and fasteners
• Unrivalled Growing Environment – through the use of state of the art ventilation techniques
• Reliability – every member in the structure has been tested using stress analysis software
• Safer to Maintain & Cover – a ‘fall arrest protection system’ fits directly to the gutter
• Peace of Mind – with ROBUS you have a structure designed to resist wind and snow loads
• Water Harvesting Facility – side gutters that allow water to be stored
• Polythene 5 Season Guarantee – against premature UV degradation
• Adverse Weather Protection – through the use of crop bar supports & snow bracings
• Proofs of Structural Integrity – as well as framework calculations to present to your insurers

NP Structures have left little stone unturned when it comes to the design and manufacture of the ROBUS range of polytunnels.  The ROBUS is UKs first commercial polytunnel designed and manufactured to BS and EN standards – NP Structures have clearly adapted and innovated to suit the changing weather conditions and address the growing concerns of farmers and growers.

There is little doubt that the ROBUS range of structures is the next generation of polytunnels! To find out more about NP Structures range of ROBUS structures download a brochure now.

Shore Leave Haslar based at Royal Haslar Hospital in Hampshire has been donated a replacement polytunnel cover by NPStructures for their 18ft x 32ft single span polytunnel.

The Shore Leave Project is located within the Memorial Garden at the hospital, in a corner of the grounds. The project is run by a group of local volunteers, all-working to create a peaceful location for veterans to recuperate through the benefits of horticulture therapy. Their current polytunnel is damaged and desperately in need of repair. After being contacted by a volunteer from SLH, asking for any help towards replacing their polytunnel cover, NP Structures were delighted to donated one to the project FOC.

Gemma Honeyman, Marketing Manager at NP Structures says ‘When we heard about the Shore Leave Haslar project and the great work the team were doing, donating a replacement polytunnel cover and some anti-hot tape was the least we could do. As a company, we really do believe in the benefits in of a horticulture environment. Our tri service veterans really do diverse this memorial garden and I’m sure it’ll be a great success. Everyone at NP Structures / Northern Polytunnels is really looking forward to following the team’s progress.’

The polytunnel will not only be used for growing crops but as a covered area for the group to meet together, shielded from the elements.

The hospital was built in 1762 as the first Naval hospital but closed in 2009 as the last military hospital in the UK. The hospital has a long and distinguished history in the dedicated medical care of military personal. It housed specialist facilities such as a decompression chamber and a zymotic isolation ward. The site is a Grade II listed historic park and it is said 20,000 service personnel are buried within the grounds of the hospital.

To find out more information about the Shore Leave Haslar or your able to help with the project, visit their website here or find them on facebook.

http://www.shoreleavehaslar.org/

http://www.facebook.com/ShoreLeaveHaslar?ref=ts

Each of the bespoke work shelter structures are covered with four individual reinforced PVC sheet bays. These bays are attached using Keder track, a technology specially adapted from the marine industry.
As the Keder provides a smooth-running connection between the fabric and metal extrusion, it enables the work team to lift the bay coverings as required during construction.

The in-house engineering design team at NP Structures worked around the clock to find solutions for the constructions companies requirements, one of which was to ensure that the structures could be lifted by crane and lowered into place. Mike Houldsworth, Engineering Manager says ‘We had to determine where the lifting points should be and ensure that the structure would stay within it’s elastic state when lifted, without excessive twist or deflection.

The four 8 metre long structures, with a possible further eight structures being dispatched later this year, will provide cover for the work force from the elements during construction, thus avoiding unnecessary weather delays.

Established in the 1960’s, NP Structures are one of the largest UK manufacturers of film-clad structures. Initially providing structures for the horticultural industry, they now provide a range of buildings, structures and Work Shelters to a wide variety of industries.

Ian Wolfenden, Managing Director says ‘We’re delighted to be working with, and providing structures for, such an established construction company. This is a huge turning point for us as a company and for the launch of our Work Shelters. We were contacted by the company after seeing our Work Shelters, Our in-house design team have worked to provide a bespoke structural solution for them based upon our Work shelter range.’

The NP Structures Work Shelters range is available to view and buy online. The portable work shelter tents are designed to withstand building site conditions, quick to erect and dismantle. They can be used a single unit or linked together as an interlocking secure chain. For more in-depth product information, visit the NP Structures website.

The garden is the idea of Waterside resident Mark Gunter and several other locals at the Admiral Lord Rodney Pub, Waterside Road, Colne and conveniently right next door to Northern Polytunnels. They approached Northern Polytunnels before Christmas about using some unused land at the side of the manufacturing plant, to clean up and use as a small growing plot. After hearing these plans of using the area as a community plot, Northern Polytunnels were eager to give the ‘Watersiders’ the use of their polytunnels display area.

Mark, Ross, Lou and Ann, on behalf of the Watersiders says “We are really excited at the prospect of working on this project. It is a real community concern letting us work with our local residents, local schools and a big local business. The benefits will be many including making the area more colourful, encouraging our local children to create and eat beautiful healthy food and to make use of the land in an area rich in industrial history. It is a project by the community for the community”.

Northern Polytunnels will be providing seeds, pots, peat and other growing equipment to the team and will be helping with the development of their display area for the use as a community garden. As well as the existing polytunnels, they have plans to add raised beds and cloches from their current range, to ensure the Waterside Community Garden has the best chance of being a great success.

Gemma Honeyman, Marketing Manager says ‘Although we serve a national and international market, we are very proud to be a company from Colne and want to be apart of the Waterside Community. This garden is a great opportunity for us to give back something to the people of the Waterside as a thank you for their support over the last 40 years.’

NP Structures are one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of film-clad structures. Initially providing structures for the domestic market and commercial structures for the Horticultural industry, they now provide a range of buildings, structures and work shelters to a wide variety of industries.

The team is hoping the Waterside Community Garden at Northern Polytunnels will include fruit, vegetables and herbs, with all crop been given to the people of the community. Flowers grown in the garden are to be used as displays in the area.

For more information about this project, updates or to get involved, see the Northern Polytunnels Facebook page – www.facebook.com/npstructures or alternatively contact waterside@npstructres.co.uk

* * * * *

For further press information, please contact; Gemma Honeyman – gemma.honeyman@npstructures.co.uk.

Of course, the team here at Northern Polytunnels were not at all surprised, as we know just how well engineered, carefully manufactured and expertly designed our polytunnels and fruit cages are. We only use the best materials and we refuse to compromise on quality or to cut corners at any stage, because we know that our customers often depend on our polytunnels for their livelihoods, and in the case of farmers, even the very lives of their animals, such as cattle or new born lambs.

We know how many people rely on us for protection, from crops in our fruit cages, to cattle in our polytunnels, as well as garden centres, schools, smallholdings and market gardens. And we take that responsibility seriously, engineering and constructing our polytunnels and fruit cages to the highest standards, to withstand whatever the weather has to throw at them and more, and still remain steadfast in their service.

We’re proud of our reputation, which has spread across the UK to reach all corners of the country, from the smallest garden, to the largest industrial scale farm. However, we’re not resting on our laurels, and the Northern Polytunnels team will continue to work hard to maintain, and to increase, our quality and dependability. So when it comes to creating temporary or semi-permanent protective structures, you can rest assured that come rain or shine, or even storms, Northern Polytunnels have got it covered.

Without a doubt the ultimate summer sport is cricket and with the cricket season fast approaching, there’s no time like the present to get some practice…

Here at NP Structures, we’ve have used our expect knowledge of steel film-clad structures and designed, what we think is the best portable cricket net cage that creates the perfect batting practice area.

As with all products by NP Structures, the mobile net cricket cage has been engineered to be extremely durable and manufactured using the latest techniques and best materials available.

The portable cricket net is made from heavy-duty 50mm Z35 galvanised steel tubing, whilst other suppliers only use 34mm or 42mm. We’ve also added diagonal support bars in-between each hoop, using our tried and tested fixtures.
The portable cricket cage is supplied with 2mm thick black polypropylene netting with 2inch (48mm) square mesh, netting also includes 3mm black polypropylene border cord sewn to the edges for extra strength, strong enough to resist the use of any professional net cricket cage. NP Structures are a safety conscience company and we will never compromise safety and quality over cost.

Our mobile cricket net includes 2 wheels at the rear of the structure and a detachable lift bar at the front, this enables a ‘wheelaway’ feature. The portable cricket cage can be easily transported and relocated by two adults.

Our portable net cricket cages are suitable for any pitch where it isn’t practical to have a permanent net practice area. The NP structures portable freestanding cricket nets are suitable for schools and clubs of all levels and capabilities.

For more information about the specifications click the link portable cricket net cage  

Our work shelter has had a great response, with customers coming from many different sectors including; construction, civil engineering and even car dealerships to use as re-spray tents and winter valeting areas. 

Our multi-purpose work shelter is portable, easy to build up / dismantle and very strong.  Providing temporary or permanent* weatherproof  shelter, our work tent has been designed to withstand commercial industry conditions. 

The construction of our work shelter, including more information is now available to watch on You Tube. 

*To use as a permanent structure, planning permission may be required.

Are You Ready for Lambing Season???

November / December see the preparations for the busy lambing season which is an important time in most farmers diaries. During Autumn and early Winter most farms put into place procedures in managing animal welfare

At NP Structures (Northern Polytunnels), as part of our agricultural range of farming structures, we have developed a range of sheep housing to suit the needs of any modern day farm.

Developed by our own in-house team of designers, engineers and architects our sheep houses have proven to;

Increased Flock Survival Rate
Lambs struggle in the British winter and the survival rate is low in unhoused flocks.
But its not just lambs that suffer,  due to harshening British weather patterns it has proven that flocks have a higher survival rate when housed during the winter months. Lamb surveil rate can be up by as much as 30%.

Time & Labour Saving with a Reduction in Staff Costs.
Better animal welfare when the flock is centralised and there is a high reduction in the time and man-power needed.

Lower Feed costs and Increased Profitability.
Housed sheep need less food and have a lower nutritional requirements than flocks that are kept outside during the winter. Ewes aren’t exposed to the stress of rain, cold, snow and wind as with unhoused ewes and twin lamb disease can be prevented when housed. food wastage can also be avoided with occurs with outside feeding.

Benefits in Grassland Protection
Housing your flock ensures grass potential and eliminates winter poaching.
Shoots aren’t nibbled at which means greater growth during April and mean better milk yield for faster growing lambs.

For more information about other products in our range email sales@npstructures.co.uk or Call our sales team +44 (0)1282 873120

We will be exhibiting in the Technology Hall and will be part of the UK group stand organised by CHA (Commercial Horticultural Association)

At IPM Essen we will be exhibiting our latest in polytunnel development, including our new ROBUS structure. ROBUS has been designed and manufactured to, and exceeds BS and EN standards and we are the only polytunnel manufacturer in the UK that currently offers this.

If you’re visiting IPM Essen in January, We look forward to seeing you there.
Click on the following links for more information

http://www.ipm-messe.de/en/ipm_essen/index.html

http://www.cha-hort.com/

For a limited time only Northern Polytunnels are offering customers a FREE UPGRADE to Aluminum Sliding Doors on their Garden Range Polytunnel. This FREE UPGRADE is worth over £70!

The Garden Range Polyunnels are the most popular of our 3 custom built kits and contains features that have been most popular with customers purchasing our polytunnels for over 40 years.
Garden Range polytunnels are usually supplied with timber sliding door but for a limited time only Northern Polytunnels are offering customers a FREE UPGRADE to Aluminum Sliding Doors. These doors are a far more superior product to a hinged door and are manufactured from our single Alibox and supplied with enough cladding to clad with polythene.

The kit contains;

Aluminium Sliding Doors – THIS IS A FREE UPGRADE Worth over £70!

Timber Door Frames – treated with Tanalith® E wood preservative.

Timber Base Rails – To secure the covering and eliminates the need to dig a trench

Ground Anchor Plates – For securing to the ground and saves the need for concrete, which can’t be used on allotments.

Anti Hot Spot Tape – Placed on the hoops prior to sheeting and acts as a insulation between the polythene and the metal.

Visqueen 720g Clear Polythene Sheet – We only use polythene by British company Visqueen.  All of Visqueen polythene are designed and manufactured using the latest technology. The standard clear consists of binding 3 separate layers together to produce a strong and durable cover and uses the latest in UV stabilisers for optimum light transmission.

For more information or to buy online Click Here