Back to the front page  
Back to the front page   Contact GPDA GPDA Site map


Objectives and History
EuroGypsum
Member sites
Useful Links
GPDA News
Technical Tips
Plasterboard video
CPD Lectures
Technical Literature
Order Literature
Training
Gypsum Facts
Waste and Reuse
Student Resource




GPDA History

    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.

 

Back to previous page