London/Dusseldorf/Iphofen, 5 December 2018 - buildingSMART International (bSI) and Düsseldorf-based technology specialist ProMaterial are pleased to announce Knauf Gips KG as the first major manufacturer of building materials to use the new language UniversalTypesTM. UniversalTypes supports real-time sales of construction products and materials and the online sales process between manufacturers, distributors and buyers.
In November 2018, the initiative for the further development of the new language UniversalTypes was officially launched. UniversalTypes is unified and coded so that attributes can precisely describe construction materials. This allows an optimal and consistent product presentation while being searchable and made available in a variety of sales channels. Knauf has joined as a globally active partner with a diverse product range. Knauf has already begun defining the necessary UniversalTypes for the efficient distribution of its gypsum-based products.
Christoph Dorn, Managing Director of Knauf Group Central Europe and Chairman of the Management Board of Knauf Gips KG, commented: "We consider UniversalTypes to be an essential component for the international digital distribution of our building materials and construction systems. UniversalTypes position our products online, which is a necessary and logical step for us in securing our digital market position."
Dirk Schaper, Managing Director of ProMaterial, added: "We are delighted to significantly expand UniversalTypes together with Knauf. The benefits of the detailed product description will provide great value in sales."
Richard Petrie, CEO of buildingSMART International, said: "We intend that UniversalTypes will be useful all around the world. With the Knauf group, which itself is active in more than 86 countries, we have an ideal launching partner."
Using UniversalTypes, manufacturers can optimally position their complete product portfolios in their own and third-party sales systems. Distributors offer their customers real product transparency. Once complete UniversalTypes will be an industry specification from buildingSmart International (a "bSI SPEC") and the language will be maintained for general use within the industry.
Further information about the UniversalTypes is also available at BAU, 14.-19. January 2019 in Munich, at the booth of ProMaterial in hall C5/100.
About Knauf Gips KG: Knauf Gips KG, a company of the Knauf group, specializes in systems for drywalling and floors as well as plasters and façades. Knauf drywall systems are synonymous with drywall systems for high-performance sound, fire and thermal protection in floors, walls and ceilings. Knauf flowing and levelling screeds ensure rapid continuation of the building phase in floors. The Knauf plasters include classic brands such as Rotband, MP75, SM700 or Rotkalk. The external thermal insulation composite systems WARM WALL provide energy-efficient design on the façade. More information: www.knauf.de
About UniversalTypes: In the construction industry today, manufacturers use a proprietary way of describing their products using their own criteria. For example, a drywall may be called plasterboard, gypsum board, wallboard, gypsum panel or sheetrock - all these words represent the exact same material. Therefore, direct product comparisons are not possible at present. This norm will change using UniversalTypes for product descriptions. As UniversalTypes use standardized codes they not only enable cross-system information requests but also ensure that attributes such as “suitable for use in moist environments” and “water-resistant” are based on the same criteria. More information: www.buildingsmart.org
About buildingSMART International: buildingSMART International is a vendor-neutral and not for profit body that leads the development of open digital information flows across the built asset economy. Its mission is to proactively support industry participants who want to develop open standards for planning, design, procurement, assembly and operation of buildings and infrastructure worldwide. It provides the international network plus the necessary technical and process support. Its members, who range from across the built environment spectrum, collaborate under the buildingSMART organization. buildingSMART is engaged with other international standards bodies such as ISO, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). Its core Industry Foundation Class (IFC) standards achieved ISO approval in 2012. More Informationen: www.buildingsmart.org
About ProMaterial:
ProMaterial is the new technology network specialized in e-sourcing and online distribution of building products. The innovative SaaS technology supports manufacturers and distributors to present and efficiently sell construction materials and products with excellent data quality via various channels on the Internet. ProMaterial itself is a technology supplier and not a market participant. All groups of buyers find information about the products in the required form, in industry software solutions, online marketplaces, BIM or calculation systems or more simply via web shop. Professional customers and end users can more conveniently order a wider range of products. Under the auspices of buildingSMART International (bSI), ProMaterial is working with the industry to develop a new manufacturer-neutral description format for the properties of construction products. UniversalTypes, supported by many other software partners, are introduced in 25 country organizations of bSI.
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