Rapidwall wins 2014 FT/IFC Transformational Business Award
Within 6 months of being classified by the UN as the first building material in the world to be eligible for UNFCC carbon credits, Rapidwall’s recognition as one of the most environmentally friendly, innovative and sustainable building materials in the world has continued after being announced the winner for the FT/IFC 2014 Transformational Business Awards in the category of:
Achievement in Project Finance - Construction & Affordable Housing
The FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards, presented in London - June 2014, attracted 237 entries from 214 institutions in 61 countries. The Awards highlighted innovative, commercially viable, and replicable products and services that can create long-term, transformative solutions to development needs in areas such as infrastructure, energy, food and water, affordable housing and health. Other award winners included; JP Morgan Chase, US/Lion’s Head Global Partners and Standard Chartered Bank.
The award submission by Rapid Building Systems, demonstrated Rapidwall’s ability to convert natural and waste (synthetic) gypsums into water resistant glass re-inforced load bearing wall panels suitable for a broad range of construction applications, in particular the mass housing projects in emerging economies where the demand for housing is growing rapidly.
Co-chair of the awards judging panel and US Managing Editor of the Financial Times, Martin Dickson said “The judges were delighted with the quality of the entries in this inaugural programme. Many of the initiatives highlighted on the short-list were fascinating in their level of innovation and the impact they could have if replicated widely. It was not easy to pick the winners and those that prevailed should be congratulated.”
of the awards judging panel.
Managing Director of Rapid Building Systems Peter Zwaans was delighted with the award saying “this is a great achievement and addition to the recognition we have received previously from the United Nations and the Global Gypsum Industry. It shows the world how truly great a product Rapidwall is and the opportunities that exist for use of Rapidwall in developing countries to provide affordable but high quality housing.
Through our model of appointing and working with licencees in various regions around the world Rapidwall is now giving architects, designers, developers, engineers and urban planners complete design flexibility and the opportunity to revolutionise the whole of the building industry worldwide.
We expect this award to generate even more interest from developing countries who are looking to provide a low cost building material that is environmentally friendly and structurally superior to most other materials but can be delivered at a very affordable price and in very quick time,” he added.
About the Financial Times:
The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing essential news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community, the FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of 665,000 (Deloitte assured, Q1, 2014). Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving 60 per cent of subscriber consumption, 45 per cent of total traffic and 20 per cent of new digital subscriptions. FT education products now serve 37 of the world’s top 50 business schools.
About IFC:
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.