Gypsum Products Development Association

The history of GPDA

The History of GPDA...

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.

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.

Gyproc-Benelux joined GPDA  as associate members.

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').

Bellrock Gypsum Industries joined as full members.

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.

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).

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.

GPDA publication 'This is Gypsum' aimed at children, and wallchart published. GPDA continues to support British Trades Alphabet.

GPDA contributes to gypsum promotion film produced by Eurogypsum.

GPDA publishes 'Gypsum Today' booklet.

GPDA Constitution revised in anticipation of new companies commencing production in the UK.  All associate members resign (European BPB subsidiaries).

Streamline Building Products accepted as associate members.

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.

GPDA 'places' articles in major trade publications on fire protection, sound insulation, thermal characteristics, wet plaster, innovative partitioning and acoustics.

Redland Plasterboard changes name to Lafarge Plasterboard.

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).

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.

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.

GPDA produces a leaflet to promote training to be a plasterer in GB.

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.

GPDA publish leaflet to promote acoustic performance. GPDA stage CPD lectures.

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.

Recommended practice for plastering on plasterboard, filling joints and screwing of boards issued.

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.

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 giing installation guidance added to the Website.