<b><b>The shortage of quality brick and block layers is persuading builders to embrace innovation, much to the delight of the manufacturers. Allison Heller reports</b></b><br><b>Amidst Egan-inspired rethinking, changing Building Regulations, and the latest talk of a skills shortage in the construction industry, the world of brick and block manufacture is buzzing.</b><br><b>Paul Reed, marketing manager of Thermalite, expresses a view held by other producers that the skills shortage is the real driving force for innovation in new product development, and says that it has practically forced the hand of the housebuilder to trial new products. </b><br><b>&amp;“Although UK housebuilders still generally prefer a traditional look,&amp;” says Reed, &amp;“the lack of skilled labour means that it is less economically viable for this to be achieved by traditional means.&amp;” </b><br><b><b>New ideas</b></b><br> As a result manufacturers are finding some fertile ground for new ideas.<p></p><p>Ibstock Brick, for instance, has introduced its Tilebricks - special shaped units that replicate the appearance of an overlapping tile hung exterior, while being laid as regular bricks. </p><p>Hailed by Ibstock as the &amp;“Egan-friendly answer&amp;”, Tilebricks eliminate the need for additional trade skills on site, and can reduce build times. They have been praised by Michael Driver, senior architect with the Brick Development …