10th May 2005

LESSONS FROM THE BLACK COUNTRY:
PARRY ASSOCIATES REACHING UPWARDS IN AFFORDABLE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

JPM Parry & Associates Ltd of the West Midlands has successfully launched the prototype of a new concept in construction for developing countries. Experimental work at its Cradley Heath site has resulted in the erection of a two-storey house core, made from elements produced using equipment manufactured in the firm's own Black Country workshops.

The first HIGH AND DRY house core, incorporating a raised platform that acts as a refuge from high water levels, is now approaching completion. The HIGH AND DRY concept derives from experience gained during the aftermath of flood disasters in Mozambique and northern Honduras and has great potential for post-tsunami reconstruction in Asia.

The principal benefits of the HIGH AND DRY building system are that it is affordable and can be built in developing countries by local people with local materials using Parry Associates' purpose-designed machines and moulds. As well as providing flood protection, two-storey construction has advantages in other situations because it increases the covered space on a given plot of land and can be adapted to enable building on hilly ground.

The Parry approach to development is one of trade and livelihood creation, ensuring that sustainable, environmentally-benign businesses are created. This in turn generates both wealth for the local communities and the products to bring about economic development. An essential component is the provision of training for local people, ensuring both that the building materials they produce are of high quality and that the houses, classrooms and other structures are built to suit the climate and materials available in the locality.

"Decent housing and living conditions are a right for people everywhere," said company chairman John Parry. "The really great thing about our developments is that they don't only improve quality of life and create wealth in developing countries - they also generate business for the West Midlands and they provide jobs in our company and at the factories of our local suppliers."

Click on the following link for the HIGH AND DRY pamphlet (in pdf format):

[HIGH AND DRY PAMPHLET]

Details of former developmental success stories can be seen by clicking on the link below:

[SUCCESS STORIES]

Notes:

1. JPM Parry & Associates Ltd was founded in 1974 by John Parry, one of the early team of directors of the Intermediate Technology Development Group and chair of its Building Materials Panel, to offer technical services to the construction industry in Britain and overseas. Shortly afterwards, the company started to develop a range of intermediate technology machinery that could be used to produce quality building materials in developing countries using local resources. These are now in service in over 80 countries.

2. Applied to transport, the Parry approach to technological development produced the flywheel energy storage system licensed to Parry People Movers Ltd (www.parrypeoplemovers.com) .

For further information, please contact:

John Parry MBE
CHAIRMAN
JPM Parry & Associates Ltd
Overend Road
Cradley Heath
West Midlands
B64 7DD
UK

Telephone: +44 (0)1384 569171
Fax: +44 (0)1384 637753
E-mail: info@parryassociates.com
Website: www.parryassociates.com

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