Focus shifts to James Latham's specialized assistance in specifications, surpassing mere distribution
In the realm of architectural materials distribution, James Latham stands out as one of the largest independent providers in the UK and Ireland. Known for their extensive range of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces, they also offer a unique approach to the specification process.
At the heart of this approach is the Technical Specification Team, acting as a trusted advisor. Their role is straightforward: to advise and inform, offering clear, accurate, and tailored guidance on product selection. This personalised support extends beyond digital means, with James Latham maintaining a physical showroom in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, available by appointment for those who prefer in-person specification.
James Latham's digital tools are designed to streamline the specification process, making it efficient and accurate. The Digital Showroom Platform, for instance, is a powerful online tool that allows users to browse over 1,600 products and view high-resolution 3D scans. It also features an intelligent suggestion engine, suggesting similar tones or more budget-friendly alternatives based on user selections.
The Digital Showroom Platform isn't the only digital tool in James Latham's arsenal. The company also offers a Digital Cladding Visualiser, integration with platforms like NBS Source, and Swatchbox, an online material sampling platform. Swatchbox offers over 500 products for sampling, making it a valuable resource for architects in the early stages of their projects.
James Latham's resources hub contains all product and technical information, including datasheets, environmental declarations, whiteboard explainer videos, and promotional content. This centralised resource is used both internally and externally, ensuring consistency across James Latham's communications and platforms.
In addition to these digital tools, James Latham has a close relationship with its in-house manufacturing division, Latham Timber Manufacturing, which is particularly useful when it comes to cladding. This integration between manufacturing and distribution allows for a seamless specification process.
James Latham's commitment to sustainability is evident in their Carbon Calculator tool, which assigns carbon data scores to more than 70% of their stocked products. They also offer a wide range of RIBA-approved CPDs covering topics like acrylic solid surfaces, wood veneers, passive house doors, and timber cladding.
The company's extensive support for specifiers extends from early-stage design through to post-installation guidance. Samples can be ordered directly from the Digital Showroom Platform and are dispatched from a dedicated sampling center in Leicester, typically arriving within 48 hours.
In summary, James Latham's specification process leverages both digital tools for streamlined, accurate specification and personalised in-person guidance to support architects throughout their projects. This blend of technology and human touch aligns with industry best practices for delivering coordinated, efficient architectural projects.
The Digital Showroom Platform, a prominent digital tool from James Latham, not only provides a platform for browsing over 1,600 products and viewing high-resolution 3D scans but also features an intelligent suggestion engine, recommending similar tones or cost-effective alternatives based on user selections.
James Latham's resources hub, utilised both internally and externally, houses all product and technical information, including datasheets, environmental declarations, and CPDs, which cover topics like acrylic solid surfaces, wood veneers, passive house doors, and timber cladding, aligning with their commitment to sustainability and industry best practices.
