The earliest minutes, and therefore when we assume it started,
is 1893, under the name of 'The Association of Gypsum Manufacturers'
as a UK association.
In the intervening years, the name changed to the Gypsum Building
Products Association, formed with a Management committee, Publicity
committee and Technical committee.
In 1956 the Association was reformed under the name of 'The Gypsum
Plasterboard Development Association' with founding members; British
Plasterboard holdings, British Plasterboard Manufacturing, Gyproc
Products, ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) and Plaster Products.
The new body took over the standing committees for management,
development (publicity) and technical.
1961 British Plaster Board changed its name to BPB (British
Plaster and Boards), effectively reducing the membership to two
companies; BPB and ICI. Eurogypsum formed in Geneva.
1962 Gyproc-Benelux joined GPDA as associate members
1964 GPDA joined Eurogypsum. Gypsum Industries joined
as associate members of GPDA. Promotional budget that year was
£8,950 for advertising and publications (three issues per
year of the 'Gypsum Journal').
1967 Bellrock Gypsum Industries joined as full members.
1968 PR budget was £22,650, including £2,500
to join the British Trades Alphabet, a journal of education projects
aimed at children - this PR approach of educating children about
gypsum products would increasingly become the GPDA's promotional
objective.
1969 The Gypsum Plasterboard Development Association changes
its name to the Gypsum Products Development Association. GPDA
takes over BPB's sponsorship of young plasterers prize giving
scheme (run by the national association of plastering contractors).
ICI and Bellrock resign membership (BPB buy their gypsum production,
becoming the sole UK producer).
1971 Gypsum Industries made full members. Gypsum Industries
S. Africa, Aktiebolaget Gyproc Sweden and Platrieres Moderne de
Grozon France made associate members. GPDA contributes to a new
publication 'Intergyps' reporting on developments in gypsum use
and aimed at the European market. It was questioned whether GPDA
has a future as all members are now part of BPB group, but in
terms of development and technical objectives, and to have a British
voice on Eurogypsum, it was agreed to continue in existence.
1974 GPDA publication 'This is Gypsum' aimed at children,
and wallchart published. GPDA continues to support British Trades
Alphabet
1977 GPDA contributes to gypsum promotion film produced
by Eurogypsum.
1978 GPDA publishes 'Gypsum Today' booklet
1988 GPDA Constitution revised in anticipation of new
companies commencing production in the UK. All associate members
resign (European BPB subsidiaries)
1989 Streamline Building Products accepted as associate
members
1990 Knauf UK and Redland (Lafarge) Plasterboard accepted
as full members. Streamline made full members. PR objective changes
from raising gypsum awareness at school level to promoting the
profile of the GPDA. GPDA press pack circulated. GPDA newsletter
included as an insert in major trade building publications.
1992 GPDA 'places' articles in major trade publications
on fire protection, sound insulation, thermal characteristics,
wet plaster, innovative partitioning and acoustics.
1993 Redland Plasterboard changes name to Lafarge Plasterboard.
1995 GPDA GB members standardise to metric lengths for
boards. GPDA produce a general awareness leaflet to raise GPDA's
profile. GPDA work on UK training guidelines, the NVQ. GPDA contribute
to the Eurogypsum environmental publication 'Living With Gypsum'.
GPDA switch educational initiative from primary (children) to
post qualification CPD (continuing professional development).
1996 GPDA members standardise to 25kg bags for plaster.
GPDA joins Quiet Homes Scheme, promoting greater acoustic performance.
CPD commences publication of a series of three continuing professional
development leaflets. GPDA submits articles on use of moisture
resistant board to National House Building Council publication
in UK.
1997 GPDA commences free service offering to update material
on gypsum in main industry training textbooks (ongoing project).
GPDA produces a leaflet to promote training to be a plasterer
in Ireland. GPDA starts a Website.
1998 GPDA produces a leaflet to promote training to be
a plasterer in GB.
1999 GPDA publishes bi-annual Review and Update publication.
GPDA joins Living Roof Scheme, promoting convertible loft space.
GPDA sponsors waste collection viability study. GPDA contributes
to Eurogypsum promotional publication.
2000 GPDA publish leaflet to promote acoustic performance.
GPDA stage CPD lectures.
2001 GPDA publishes 2nd bi-annual review and update. GPDA
sponsors a study on racking strengths of gypsum plasterboard.
GPDA contributes to updating of Building Regulations for sound
and heat insulation in the UK and Ireland.
Gypsum in the UK makes a ten year energy saving agreement with
the government.
2002 Recommended practice for plastering on plasterboard, filling joints and screwing of boards issued.
2003 GPDA publishes a CD Rom ‘So you thought all Plasterboards were the Same’. GPDA contributes to the review of UK Building Regulations Part E for acoustic insulation and Robust
Details.
2004 GPDA publishes 3rd bi-annual review and update and a guide to the Part E Robust details. GPDA contributes to the review of UK Building Regulations Part L for heat insulation.
Technical tips giving installation guidance added to the Website.