Bradstone, a member of Holcim UK, has launched a major new whitepaper, Promoting Safety in the Public Realm, calling for a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to designing and managing safer public spaces across the UK. It is the first output from a new working group assembled by Bradstone, comprising landscape
Polypipe Building Services has launched a new applications guide designed to help specifiers, consultants, contractors and any other party involved navigate the complexity of water supply system design, with a clear, practical route to selecting high-performance, sustainable solutions. Titled ‘A guide to water supply applications’, the brochure matches common system
wienerberger UK & Ireland has begun construction on the world’s first fully electric tunnel kiln for the manufacture of clay roof tiles at its Broomfleet roof tile manufacturing site in East Yorkshire, marking a major milestone in the company’s long‑term decarbonisation strategy and its ambition to transform heavy clay manufacturing.
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including
Building envelope solutions provider wienerberger UK & Ireland has achieved independent Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment for their Roof Tiles & Fittings product set. This latest assessment builds on wienerberger’s milestone from Spring 2025, when it became the first UK manufacturer to secure CCPI assessment for its UK-manufactured
Developed in collaboration with industry experts, contractors, manufacturers, and training providers, the framework establishes a clear benchmark for the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required of drylining design engineers. As construction projects grow increasingly complex, the need for qualified and competent design professionals has never been greater. This new framework
Located at the entrance to Trafford Park, No.1 Old Trafford comprises two striking residential towers of 15 and 18 storeys. Surrounded by local landmarks including the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium, and Hotel Football, the twin-tower development demanded a visually united mortar finish and a supply solution capable of
TALO has been awarded a £1.1 million contract by Lucy Developments to deliver a nine-home residential scheme in the canalside village of Wilstone near Tring, Hertfordshire. The project, known as Moorings, marks the first development in what both companies describe as a long-term partnership, with additional and larger residential sites
AG, a Tyrone headquartered, manufacturer of low carbon paving and building products, has launched Heathfield, a new clay‑like concrete brick range designed to challenge long‑held assumptions about what brick should be. Developed in response to growing pressure on traditional clay supply, rising energy costs and increasing demand for consistent, reliable
Bradstone, a member of Holcim UK, has launched a major new whitepaper, Promoting Safety in the Public Realm, calling for a more coordinated, evidence-based approach to designing and managing safer public spaces across the UK. It is the first output from a new working group assembled by Bradstone, comprising landscape architects, academic partners, NGOs and industry professionals to examine how safety is understood, experienced and delivered in the built environment. The whitepaper pulls in recent research from the University of Leeds and West Yorkshire Combined Authority which reveal that fences and walls around park edges make parks feel less safe due to reducing escape routes, while busier parks feel safer due to passive surveillance from other people. Meanwhile, stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 37% of women stop walking in quiet places after dark due to safety concerns. Contributors to the whitepaper include Jo Roberts (Holcim UK), Dr Anna Barker (University of Leeds), Romy Rawlings (Landscape Institute / Deep Green), Ben Gill (One Planet), and Iwonan Kossek (Ask for Angela). Together, they argue there is a growing urgency to tackle safety in public spaces as, despite having a direct influence on each, the issue continues to receive less attention than other urban issues, such as decarbonisation, regeneration and public health. A central theme of the whitepaper is the need for a shared, cross-sector understanding of what ‘safety’ actually means. The working group emphasises the distinction between actual safety (objective risk) and perceived safety (subjective experience), noting that perception often shapes behaviour more strongly than reality. Jo Roberts, Head of Product Management at Holcim UK, said: “We are now reaching a point where familiar ideas of ‘safety’ are being re-examined – not only as a matter of physical design but as a measure of how people feel and belong in the places they share with others. This whitepaper is about creating a shared language, grounded in evidence, that helps the industry design environments where everyone feels safe, connected and confident to move freely.” Also identified in the paper are barriers that currently impede progress – from the sheer volume of unstructured guidance to persistent misconceptions, such as the belief that safety is solely about crime reduction or that more lighting or CCTV are always the most effective solutions. Drawing on successful work across the country, the report sets out a suite of practical, evidence-based interventions for landscape architects, planners and local authorities. These include clearer sightlines, passive surveillance, typology-specific design, improved wayfinding, and co-production with communities – particularly groups who may feel excluded or unsafe. Alongside this, it emphasises the importance of robust data, pointing to emerging tools such as the Safer Parks Dashboard, which brings together spatial and safety data to help practitioners prioritise interventions. Jo said: “Improving safety in the public realm is essential for healthier communities, stronger local economies and more inclusive cities. We’re calling for closer collaboration between industry, academia and the public sector to ensure that safety becomes a core pillar of built-environment decision-making.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Polypipe Building Services has launched a new applications guide designed to help specifiers, consultants, contractors and any other party involved navigate the complexity of water supply system design, with a clear, practical route to selecting high-performance, sustainable solutions. Titled ‘A guide to water supply applications’, the brochure matches common system requirements, including boosted cold water, domestic hot water, heating systems and chilled water, with the best-suited solutions from its MecFlow supply systems range. By aligning product selection with real-world applications, the guide aims to simplify decision-making across a wide range of building types. The guide responds directly to the challenges faced on modern construction projects, from labour shortages and tighter site constraints to evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements. And with pressures around carbon reduction, water quality and long-term system performance continuing to grow, it demonstrates how the pipework specification can directly influence the efficiency, sustainability, and reliability of water supply systems. As well as outlining key considerations for each application, the brochure highlights how plastic pipe systems can support the long-term health of a system and how material selection can contribute to more efficient, lower-maintenance solutions, supporting both operational performance and whole-life sustainability. “Specifying water supply systems is becoming increasingly complex, with more variables to consider across performance, compliance and sustainability,” explained Scott Clark, Senior Product Manager at Polypipe Building Services. “This guide is designed to bring clarity to that process, helping our customers match the right solution to the demands of each application, while also considering long-term system health and efficiency.” The brochure features Polypipe’s MecFlow Press and MecFlow Fusion systems, both engineered to support reliable, high-performance installations across a range of applications. To learn more, read the new brochure here: https://www.polypipebuildingservices.com/applications/application-brochure/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
wienerberger UK & Ireland has begun construction on the world’s first fully electric tunnel kiln for the manufacture of clay roof tiles at its Broomfleet roof tile manufacturing site in East Yorkshire, marking a major milestone in the company’s long‑term decarbonisation strategy and its ambition to transform heavy clay manufacturing. The electric kiln in “Factory e” will replace the conventional natural‑gas-powered firing processes with a 100% electric, renewable‑powered system. Once operational, the new kiln is expected to reduce Scope 1 carbon emissions from this factory production line by 75%, saving 4,700 tonnes of CO₂ per year, while maintaining product quality and performance. The project represents a £37 million investment in UK manufacturing, with £4.3 million funded through the UK Government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF), which supports industrial fuel‑switching and energy efficiency projects to help decarbonise hard‑to‑abate sectors. By removing natural gas entirely from the roof tile firing process, Factory e will play a critical role in supporting wienerberger’s transition to net‑zero carbon emissions, while strengthening the long‑term future of roof tile production at Broomfleet. Factory e will replace a disused factory line at Broomfleet, during which the old manufacturing equipment will undergo complete replacement, enabling the move to electric firing to be delivered without interrupting ongoing product. Construction activity is now underway on site, with the former factory building cleared and extensive civil engineering works in progress. Key equipment has begun arriving on site in preparation for installation. Keith Barker, Chief Operating Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland, said: “The start of construction at Broomfleet represents a pivotal step in our journey to decarbonise heavy clay manufacturing. Factory e demonstrates how electrification can deliver substantial carbon emission reductions while maintaining product quality, operational resilience and long‑term competitiveness. Alongside our hydrogen brick kiln project at Denton, it underlines our multi‑technology approach to achieving net zero and our commitment to building for what’s next.” Mark Brook, Operations Director at wienerberger UK & Ireland, added: “Factory e will fundamentally change how roof tiles are made at Broomfleet. We are installing the first electric kiln of its kind for clay roof tiles, alongside modern automation and control technology that improves safety, efficiency and consistency. The same raw materials will be used, and extensive trials and testing give us confidence that product quality will remain unchanged. We are also investing significantly in our site workforce, creating development opportunities as we upskill teams to use the latest technology.” The Factory e project is planned to be completed in 2027, reflecting the complexity of delivering a fully electric tunnel kiln and the associated upgrades required to power the new factory line. As part of the transition, production and engineering teams are being trained and upskilled to operate and maintain the new, more automated equipment. The electrified line will primarily manufacture plain tiles and related accessories, fully replacing the existing gas‑fired kiln previously used for this production. The Broomfleet electric kiln forms a key part of wienerberger UK & Ireland’s wider decarbonisation programme, alongside its hydrogen‑fuelled kiln project at Denton brickworks. Together, these investments showcase a multi‑technology pathway to reducing industrial emissions and accelerating the transition to low‑carbon manufacturing across the company’s UK operations. To discover more about wienerberger’s ambitions to decarbonise operations as part of its sustainability strategy, please visit www.wienerberger.co.uk/sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including roofing, façade and fire protection solutions, as well as the company’s in-house fire-stopping range, known as FirePro. Introduced as a direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations, the code’s methodology has been designed to provide a holistic assessment of product information and marketing to provide reassurance throughout the construction supply chain, and ultimately to building residents and occupants. Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK and Ireland, said: “We are immensely proud of this achievement. ROCKWOOL has long prided itself on its rigorous approach and high standards – securing assessment across our full range reflects our firm commitment to providing clear, accurate and trustworthy product information and the robust ways of working across our expert and dedicated team.” Against the backdrop of the Building Safety Act and live Government proposals to raise the bar for construction products and fire safety guidance, professionals including specifiers, architects and contractors need high-quality products supported by robust testing and information that they can trust. Undertaking a CCPI assessment includes in-depth evaluation of a company’s culture, processes and product information by an independent third-party verifier, and confirmation of each product’s assessment sits alongside clearly accessible product safety and performance data on ROCKWOOL’s website. Tim Vincent, ROCKWOOL’s Head of Technical, added: “As a leading supplier, ROCKWOOL is committed to supporting construction professionals to deliver building safety and performance, whether through our CCPI assessed product ranges, our technical tools and support, or our growing education offering including our new Training Academy, where we run hands-on best practice training.” Moving forward, any new ROCKWOOL product sets will be CCPI assessed as they are introduced to the market. Details of all ROCKWOOL’s products and their associated CCPI assessments can be found on the company’s website at www.rockwool.com/uk/products/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has announced that its entire product range has passed Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment, making it the broadest set of construction products by a single manufacturer to be assessed to-date. The successful assessments cover ROCKWOOL’s complete range of non-combustible stone wool insulation products, including roofing, façade and fire protection solutions, as well as the company’s in-house fire-stopping range, known as FirePro. Introduced as a direct response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations, the code’s methodology has been designed to provide a holistic assessment of product information and marketing to provide reassurance throughout the construction supply chain, and ultimately to building residents and occupants. Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK and Ireland, said: “We are immensely proud of this achievement. ROCKWOOL has long prided itself on its rigorous approach and high standards – securing assessment across our full range reflects our firm commitment to providing clear, accurate and trustworthy product information and the robust ways of working across our expert and dedicated team.” Against the backdrop of the Building Safety Act and live Government proposals to raise the bar for construction products and fire safety guidance, professionals including specifiers, architects and contractors need high-quality products supported by robust testing and information that they can trust. Undertaking a CCPI assessment includes in-depth evaluation of a company’s culture, processes and product information by an independent third-party verifier, and confirmation of each product’s assessment sits alongside clearly accessible product safety and performance data on ROCKWOOL’s website. Tim Vincent, ROCKWOOL’s Head of Technical, added: “As a leading supplier, ROCKWOOL is committed to supporting construction professionals to deliver building safety and performance, whether through our CCPI assessed product ranges, our technical tools and support, or our growing education offering including our new Training Academy, where we run hands-on best practice training.” Moving forward, any new ROCKWOOL product sets will be CCPI assessed as they are introduced to the market. Details of all ROCKWOOL’s products and their associated CCPI assessments can be found on the company’s website at www.rockwool.com/uk/products/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building envelope solutions provider wienerberger UK & Ireland has achieved independent Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment for their Roof Tiles & Fittings product set. This latest assessment builds on wienerberger’s milestone from Spring 2025, when it became the first UK manufacturer to secure CCPI assessment for its UK-manufactured bricks and pavers. With more product groups now progressing through the assessment process, the business continues to advance its ambition to be the trusted expert partner for clients, specifiers, and supply chain stakeholders. The CCPI framework is designed to raise standards across construction product information and marketing, ensuring the industry moves toward product data that is accurate, consistent, accessible, and easy to understand. In addition to driving consistency in product information, CCPI assessment helps manufacturers stay aligned with forthcoming regulatory requirements, ensuring they remain agile as the industry continues to evolve. As wienerberger prepares to put additional product groups from its wall, roof, heating, and water management portfolio forward for assessment, the business continues to prioritise independently validated product information as part of its commitment to supporting responsible decision-making for those designing, supplying, and building with its solutions. Paul Instrell, Chief Commercial Officer at wienerberger UK & Ireland, said: “Since achieving CCPI assessment for our UK-manufactured bricks and pavers last year, we’ve continued to see growing interest in adoption across our customer base. Extending CCPI assessment to our roof product portfolio is an important step in demonstrating our dedication to clarity, transparency, and trust in product information. The CCPI plays a critical role in raising standards and we are pleased to be part of that progression.” For more information about wienerberger UK & Ireland, please visit www.wienerberger.co.uk. To learn more about the CCPI and how to achieve verification, visit www.cpicode.org.uk or contact enquiries@cpicode.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developed in collaboration with industry experts, contractors, manufacturers, and training providers, the framework establishes a clear benchmark for the knowledge, skills, experience and behaviours required of drylining design engineers. As construction projects grow increasingly complex, the need for qualified and competent design professionals has never been greater. This new framework aligns with broader industry initiatives around competency, including post-Grenfell regulatory reforms, and reinforces the importance of robust design processes in ensuring building safety. The framework outlines core competencies across several key areas, including: Commenting on the launch, FIS Technical Director James Parlour said: “Competency frameworks are required urgently across the industry, and we are grateful to our members for helping to identify and fulfil this critical gap where competency in delivering what seems to be a relatively narrow function is holding up the design of the entire interior system due to its wide ranging interfaces with other packages. It is also a prominent area of risk where contractors design portion is often defined and constrained poorly, and competent design management is key to mitigating this risk for the supply chain.” The development of this competency framework reflects FIS’s ongoing commitment to raising standards and driving continuous improvement across the sector. It adds to a growing suite of installer competency frameworks that are already available from FIS, including: The Competency Framework is available to download from the FIS website at https://www.thefis.org/membership-hub/publications/competency-frameworks/drylining-design-engineer-competency/ To underpin the Competence Frameworks, CITB, in partnership with Build UK and fire industry experts, have developed a free Fire Safety in Buildings e-learning course to improve an individual’s knowledge of fire safety measures in buildings. The course is suitable for anyone working in the design, construction, or maintenance of buildings, with a specific focus on installers and can be accessed here https://www.thefis.org/skills-hub/training-offers-for-members/fis-training-modules/fire-safety-in-buildings/ For further information or for any questions please contact FIS at info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Located at the entrance to Trafford Park, No.1 Old Trafford comprises two striking residential towers of 15 and 18 storeys. Surrounded by local landmarks including the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium, and Hotel Football, the twin-tower development demanded a visually united mortar finish and a supply solution capable of meeting the demands of a constrained urban site. Project at a glance section The brief Domis Construction tasked long‑term brickwork partner Kinlan Brickwork to deliver the external brickwork on the project, who in turn contacted Holcim Mortars due to the strong history of partnership between the companies across multiple North West high‑rise schemes. From the outset, the team required a consistent, aesthetically aligned mortar that would complement the chosen Heritage brick, meet architect expectations on colour accuracy and remain in keeping with buildings in the local area. With limited ground-level space and bricklayers working continuously at height, the site also needed a mortar solution that enabled efficient lifting, storage and next‑day use without risk of downtime. Challenges The project presented several logistical and operational obstacles. Dual carriageways on one side and the canal on the other restricted space for material storage. Mortar also needed to arrive in the afternoon, be moved directly into tubs, lifted up onto mast climbers, and remain workable for bricklaying first-thing in the morning. This meant there was no tolerance for delivery delays, with any missed drops halting bricklayers working at height and creating costly disruption. As a building that will be seen daily by thousands of commuters and residents travelling football fans, even minor colour variation would have been noticeable and therefore unacceptable. This added an extra layer of importance to the mortar colour, which not only had to be in keeping with the chosen Heritage brick, but also had to remain consistent in its pigmentation. The solution Holcim provided GM4 Eco 132 ready-to-use (RTU) mortar to the No.1 Old Trafford project, selected from an on‑site colour showcase and approved by the architects for its warm, light straw‑brown tone that complemented the Heritage brick palette. To ensure uninterrupted progress, RTU mortar was supplied with a 36–72-hour retarder, guaranteeing prime workability when lifted to upper floors.Deliveries were made using Holcim’s pod truck fleet, where the coloured mix is stored in an isolated compartment to protect against contamination and maintain colour consistency. Daily coordination between Holcim’s internal office team and Kinlan’s project managers ensured precise batching, proactive communication, and no missed morning or afternoon delivery windows. Continuous supply was made from Holcim’s Ellesmere Port plant, strategically located to serve Manchester’s construction corridor. These deliveries supported a smooth build sequence and enabled Kinlan’s bricklayers to work efficiently at height during summer and winter seasons. Overall operational discipline — including exact pigment dosing and meticulous pod cleaning — ensured a flawless exterior finish across both towers. Over the 18‑month programme, Holcim supplied nearly 600m³ of RTU mortar, which equates to coverage of approximately 17.5 km² of brickwork. Sustainability considerations Holcim incorporated several measures that supported reduced waste and efficiency throughout the project. Pod trucks, for example, enabled multi‑site “milk runs”, reducing the number of single‑purpose vehicle movements. The retarder also ensured full utilisation of each batch, minimising wasted material and avoiding the mortar from prematurely setting off. In addition, consistent batching eliminated the risk of rejected loads or colour mismatch, reducing remediation and embodied carbon associated with rework. What we achieved in numbers Outcome Ben Douglas, senior project manager at Kinlan Brickwork, said: “The No.1 Old Trafford project was delivered to an exceptional quality, with seamless colour consistency across both towers and zero disruption to the brickwork programme. The collaborative working relationship between Holcim, Kinlan and Domis proved instrumental in ensuring smooth logistics and a flawless finish on one of Trafford Park’s most prominent residential developments.” Steven Howitt, Area Sales Manager for Mortar and Screed at Holcim UK, said: “This project is a stellar example of what can happen when teamwork really comes to fruition. Timings, logistics and organisation were all critical factors in making sure the build ran smoothly and to plan. “Today, No.1 Old Trafford stands as a stunning visual example of efficient supply planning, technical precision and close contractor collaboration — seen by thousands of people each week as they enter the iconic Trafford Park.” To find out more about Holcim UK’s mortar offering, please visit https://www.holcim.co.uk/products/mortar Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TALO has been awarded a £1.1 million contract by Lucy Developments to deliver a nine-home residential scheme in the canalside village of Wilstone near Tring, Hertfordshire. The project, known as Moorings, marks the first development in what both companies describe as a long-term partnership, with additional and larger residential sites already in the planning stages. TALO was selected to support the construction of ultra-low energy homes using offsite timber manufacturing methods. The company says its approach enables faster build times, improved quality and greater cost certainty compared with traditional construction methods. The Moorings scheme will include nine two-storey homes, comprising a mix of three- and four-bedroom terraced houses alongside two four-bedroom detached properties. Greg Hilton, Head of Lucy Developments, said: “Moorings at Wilstone is an important project for us. The ability to deliver homes of this quality with much lower energy consumption in less time, is a significant advantage, both commercially and to achieve more sustainable development and construction. This is the first step in a wider partnership with TALO and we are now progressing plans for larger sites using their housebuilding solutions.” The homes will be built using TALO’s prefabricated timber superstructures, manufactured offsite with slow-grown Nordic timber. The process uses dry fabrication and installation techniques, which help improve thermal performance and avoid issues associated with moisture in traditional builds. According to the companies, the structures will be delivered to site in four phases by early summer, with key components such as insulation, plasterboard, timber cladding and triple glazing pre-installed. Each phase is expected to reach a watertight stage within a week, allowing interior work to begin sooner and improving overall project timelines. The development will incorporate a low-carbon energy strategy alongside its insulated timber construction. Planned features include solar battery systems to power hot water and underfloor heating, as well as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) to improve air quality and energy efficiency. Dr Anthony Greer, Executive Director for Corporate Strategy at TALO, said: “This new partnership has been created to scale ultra-low energy housebuilding. Lucy Developments has a strong ethos around sustainability, quality and the long-term performance of the homes they build. This alignment makes our collaboration a fantastic fit. “Our offsite superstructure solution and energy strategy will enable their development team to deliver ultra-low energy homes with far greater certainty, reduced build programmes, and enhanced air tightness and energy efficiency than is typically achievable with traditional construction for the same cost. “By using TALO’s integrated solutions, Lucy can scale delivery, reduce risk and accelerate the provision of high-quality family homes to help meet the serious shortfall in new housing.” The Moorings development is expected to serve as a foundation for further collaboration between TALO and Lucy Developments, as both companies look to expand the use of offsite construction and energy-efficient housing across larger residential schemes in the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
AG, a Tyrone headquartered, manufacturer of low carbon paving and building products, has launched Heathfield, a new clay‑like concrete brick range designed to challenge long‑held assumptions about what brick should be. Developed in response to growing pressure on traditional clay supply, rising energy costs and increasing demand for consistent, reliable materials, Heathfield delivers the authentic appearance of clay with the performance, availability and sustainability of precision‑engineered concrete. The launch marks the latest step in AG’s continued investment in innovation that gives developers and specifiers greater confidence in an increasingly unpredictable market. Each brick is moulded directly from clay samples, with varied embossing applied across each slice offering 27 unique patterns to replicate the natural, irregular surface of clay. This creates a non-repetitive, organic finish across elevations, delivering a timeless aesthetic while avoiding the common challenges of traditional clay. Produced in the third generation company’s state-of-the-art facilities using Enduur 1 advanced concrete technology, Heathfield offers enhanced strength, durability, UV resistance, and hydrophobic performance. Two teardrop-shaped perforations also enhance density and structural strength compared with traditional three-holed bricks. With water absorption around 6% much lower than clay’s 15-20%, and no soluble salts in the mix, Heathfield significantly reduces the risk of efflorescence on site. Cured with renewable energy, the range is more consistent in size than traditional clay, creating uniform bedding joints, sharper finishes, and quicker, more reliable installation while avoiding the uneven joints caused by warped, energy-intensive kiln-fired bricks. Sustainably produced using aggregates from AG’s own quarry, including limestone to enrich colour, the range delivers consistent tones throughout each brick. Currently offered in six traditional colourways, with more planned, the collection provides architects and developers with flexible design options across housing, education and commercial projects. Building on the success of AG’s Woodward bricks, named Responsible Product of the Year 2025 by Business in the Community, Heathfield delivers the same innovative, high-performance qualities as an alternative to traditional clay bricks. Backed by a 60-year guarantee, Heathfield is produced locally in the UK, with typical lead times of just three to five working days, giving builders and specifiers confidence even in unpredictable markets. With energy prices and global supply chains under pressure, many construction materials face significant risk. AG’s low-energy, UK-based manufacturing avoids that exposure, ensuring reliable supply, consistent quality, and a partner customers can trust for the long term. The newly launched range is also part of AG’s broader portfolio of building products, including paving and walling solutions, providing specifiers and developers with a complete, one-stop solution for external materials. Commenting on the launch, AG CEO Stephen Acheson said: “The success of our Woodward range proved that concrete bricks can genuinely compete with, and in many cases outperform, traditional clay. Heathfield builds on that momentum and represents a further step forward in how the industry thinks about brick.” “We set out to create a product that delivers the character and warmth of clay while removing many of the challenges that developers, specifiers and bricklayers experience on site. Every detail has been carefully engineered, informed by close collaboration with the people who use our products day in, day out.” “As the market continues to rethink material choices in light of cost, availability and sustainability pressures, Heathfield offers a confident alternative. We believe products like this will play an increasingly important role in the future of construction, and we are proud to be leading that shift.” Samples of the Heathfield range are now available. For further information, visit ag.uk.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals