About
Our History
Gillespie Workshops in the 70's
The old Gillespie Workshops at Dippenhall, Farnham in the 1970's.
David Gillespie, a talented sculptor and eccentric artist graduated from the Royal College of Arts in 1959. In 1961, he started an association with a friend making scenery for television. However when this proved difficult, they ventureds into architectural design work and rebranded the company to David Gillespie Associates Ltd. This company was compromised of laminators, wood cavers, pattern makers, sculptors, an engineer and David and Anne Gillespie.
David Gillespie sold David Gillespie Associates in 1980 to HAT group who were later bought by BET and after numerous mergers, Gillespie UK was traded as part of the Tvedt Group until its present situation as part of Errigal Group in whom acquired Gillespie in 2022.
The idea behind the invention of Zerodec GRG/GFRG for Gillespie was on the back of fire tragedies with GRP. Later Gillespie created decorative structures and special projects mainly from GRP. GRP has a poor fire rating and a high resin cost. We developed a new cladding material using laminated GRG (Glass Reinforced Gypsum) patented under the name of “Zerodec”. This was recognised and considered as a safer and cheaper alternative.
3D Design Focused
Quality Assured
Material Performance
Tried and Tested
Market Reputation
Gillespie UK is now the largest volume manufacturer, and lowest cost producer of 3D GRG in Europe. This brings greater certainty of supply, and continuity of delivery to large projects, reducing risks to programme extensions, and cost overrun.
Gillespie UK is now the largest volume manufacturer, and lowest cost producer of 3D GRG in Europe. This brings greater certainty of supply, and continuity of delivery to large projects, reducing risks to programme extensions, and cost overrun.
Throughout 50 years of continuous material production, Gillespie has constantly sought to implement improvements in product manufacturing and processes In 2020, Zerodec provides the most geometrically accurate engineered GRG available, designed using 3D modelling software, created using CNC moulding technology, and the highest quality raw materials:
- High quality hard alpha-hemihydrate gypsum Plaster
- Continuous strand monofilament Glass-fibre
- Patented polymers to achieve improved tensile strength and prevent the re-absorption of moisture from the atmosphere
- Clean potable water used in such proportion as to ensure maximum workability and optimum water/plaster ratio for strength
Zerodec is cured using a unique bespoke de-humidification and drying process to extract maximum moisture from the finished product, creating a stronger, drier, more stable material, providing the highest quality GRG cladding material available.
Zerodec has been independently tested and certified at Warrington Fire & Research, in accordance with the latest regulations, to BS 476 Pts 4 & 7 and complies with ASTM C1355
Advantages of Off- Site Manufacture
The benefits of off-site Manufactured Zerodec to any project, are a combination of:
Superior quality
Consistent Engineered material produced in factory conditions
Improved Programme time
Less setting out, lower labour requirements, reduced snagging
Reduced Risk
Less risk to operatives, and commercially to the project
Certified Tested Solutions
Confidence that the material will contribute to a safer construction
Benefits of selecting the Off-site Manufactured Solution
- Safety
The factory is a far more manageable setting than the construction site, eliminating many variables. The requirement to maintain safe social distancing is more easily manageable in a less congested environment. Construction’s most dangerous hazards, such as fall from height and equipment accidents, are a reduced risk with quicker installation times reducing man-hours required. - Less on-site training, faster production
Training expertise in onsite construction is a lengthy process. Training staff to produce materials offsite in a factory environment is much simpler and faster. Zerodec’s design-led engineering production process enables the material not only to be used for stand alone features, but also seamlessly integrated into Drywall systems. Less training can mean faster delivery, and more cost efficiency. - Quality, Efficiency and Consistency
Our process is the same every time, and can be guaranteed to be delivered on time and to the highest quality; saving time and money on post installation snagging, helping avoid delays to project completion. Continuity of conditions makes errors much less likely. - Waste
Zerodec requires no material over ordering for production; the same raw materials can be used to produce products for a variety of projects, and material requirements can be more accurately calculated. - Fully Tested and Accredited Material
Zerodec has test accreditation for Fire, Impact and Hardness resistance among others. Certificates are available. Fire – BS476 Pts 4&7, CF5780, E84, ; Impact – Izod Test 2019; Hardness - Barcol Test 2019.
