Focus on James Latham's role in providing technical specifications for product distribution
James Latham Simplifies Material Specification with Digital Innovation
James Latham, one of the largest independent distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces in the UK and Ireland, is revolutionizing the material specification process by integrating expert knowledge with digital innovation.
The company's commitment to providing architects, designers, and specifiers with easy access to detailed product information and tools that facilitate more efficient and accurate specification decisions is evident in their suite of specification support tools.
These tools include the Technical Specification Team, dedicated to supporting architects and designers throughout the entire specification journey. The team advises and informs, aiming to help ensure the right materials are specified first time, saving time, cost, and carbon down the line.
James Latham's digital tools are particularly useful for cladding projects, thanks to their close relationship with their in-house manufacturing division - Latham Timber Manufacturing. This partnership offers technical assistance, point load assessments, fixing instructions, finish recommendations, and cost estimates.
One such innovative digital tool is the immersive digital showcase for Accoya, one of the world's advanced high-performance timbers. This platform allows specifiers to explore product features, performance data, and applications interactively, helping them make informed choices quickly.
The Digital Showroom Platform at James Latham offers an extensive collection of over 1,600 products, with high-resolution 3D scans of each item. Users can also order samples directly from the platform, with typical dispatch within 48 hours. The platform's intelligent suggestion engine suggests similar tones or more budget-friendly alternatives based on user selections.
In addition to the Digital Showroom, James Latham offers an online technical information hub, a digital cladding visualiser, and integration with platforms like NBS Source. The resources hub contains product and technical information, datasheets, environmental declarations, whiteboard explainer videos, and promotional content, all searchable by product type.
Follow-up video consultations are available after users have received samples from the Digital Showroom Platform. James Latham's Group Specification Manager, Rob Goodman, explains how these tools are being used to improve outcomes for architects and their clients.
Moreover, James Latham is committed to sustainability. The Carbon Calculator assigns carbon data scores to over 70% of their stocked products, considering the full product journey from raw material extraction to delivery to site. They also provide RIBA-approved CPDs on topics like acrylic solid surfaces, wood veneers, passive house doors, and timber cladding.
Architects are encouraged to involve James Latham early in projects for assistance with narrowing down product options, identifying technical constraints, and supplying documentation for planning or compliance. James Latham maintains consistency and accuracy across all platforms by updating information first in their central resources hub.
Furthermore, James Latham offers over 500 products on Swatchbox, an online material sampling platform with rapid-response capabilities. For those who prefer in-person consultation, the specification showroom in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, offers a curated material library for product interaction by appointment.
In summary, James Latham's approach integrates high-quality product insights with digital tools designed to simplify and enhance the specification process, particularly through digital product showcases that provide comprehensive, accessible information.
- Incorporating technology to simplify the material specification process, James Latham also offers a digital cladding visualiser, helping architects and designers envision final outcomes before making decisions.
- Beyond timber and panels, James Latham's commitment to sustainable living extends to fashion-and-beauty as they provide environmental declarations for many of their products, ensuring a healthy-cooking lifestyle for consumers.
- For interior-design enthusiasts, the Digital Showroom Platform showcases over 1,600 products, including home-and-garden accessories, making shopping easier and more efficient.
- In the realm of data-and-cloud-computing, James Latham's intelligent suggestion engine employs AI to recommend compatible products based on users' selections, enhancing the overall user experience.
- To further promote sustainable living, James Latham shares product-reviews and insights about food-and-drink preferences, encouraging consumers to make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle.
- In addition to showcasing product features, the Digital Showroom Platform also integrates with NBS Source, a platform commonly used by specifiers in the construction industry, facilitating seamless information exchange and decision-making.
