Brett Martin is set to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings around the world with a remarkable new Polycarbonate glazing product largely based on bio-circular attributed material such as used cooking oil, produced in a ISCC Plus certified mass balanced approach. Called Marlon BioPlus, the new sheet offers a major
The first sea shipment of construction aggregate derived from Cornish china clay waste has been brought into London by UK recycled materials specialists GRS. The delivery marks the start of an exclusive deal which enables GRS to import more than half a million tonnes of secondary granite – branded Enviroc®
A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution. TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade
British Gypsum is reporting an overwhelmingly positive response and burgeoning sales of ThistlePro® FastSet Finish – its new rapid-setting plaster – in the first three months since its launch to the UK market. Introduced in April, ThistlePro FastSet Finish is a high-performance skim finish plaster, ideal for a wide range
CPI holds a market leading position in the construction materials sector, and we recognise our responsibility to play a similar leading role on sustainability in construction materials. We believe we have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to redefining the norms of the sector and to be an advocate
Ibstock plc’s innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions in a high carbon world has been recognised at this year’s BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. The UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of clay and concrete building products and solutions was crowned winner of the Manufacturer of the Year Award, a category which recognises
Aquaspira has successfully designed and delivered a sustainable solution to attenuate 910 cubic metres of storm water at a new 241-home development in Beccles, Suffolk. Aquaspira was handpicked by Hopkins Homes, the largest housing developer in East Anglia, to design and install a multi-leg tank, small and large diameter pipes
Ten years since the start of UK production of REHAU’s RAUVITHERM pipe, the business is celebrating the market’s only UK-manufactured pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe to feed a growth in demand across renewable heat projects. Ever since its launch, RAUVITHERM has proven popular due to its combination of flexibility and low heat
BUILDING on the success of the past 18 months, PermaRoof Commercial, part of PermaGroup, has grown tenfold after making several key hires in response to demand. Since its inception in December 2020, PermaRoof Commercial has gone from strength to strength, completing a total of 62 projects, equalling approximately 21,000m2 of
Travis Perkins plc is investing in a new fleet of 26-tonne trucks, designed to support the Group’s ambitious carbon reduction target and maximise the safety and efficiency of its transport operations. They will operate in a mix of Travis Perkins and Keyline Civils Specialist liveries, providing building materials to construction
Brett Martin is set to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings around the world with a remarkable new Polycarbonate glazing product largely based on bio-circular attributed material such as used cooking oil, produced in a ISCC Plus certified mass balanced approach. Called Marlon BioPlus, the new sheet offers a major carbon footprint reduction by cutting the use of fossil-based material by 70%. This raw material delivers an 84% decrease in carbon emissions and in addition Brett Martin achieves further reductions in carbon by producing the sheet using 100% renewable energy, generated at its own site. Marlon BioPlus has already achieved International Sustainability & Carbon accreditation with ISCC Plus certification. ISCC PLUS is a globally recognised sustainability certification program for bio-based and bio-circular (recycled) raw materials with a focus on the traceability of raw materials within the supply chain. What makes Marlon BioPlus unique is the combination of this certification and Brett Martin’s 100% onsite renewable energy which together represents a huge step towards a zero-carbon polycarbonate sheet. As the UK’s largest producer of polycarbonate roofing and facades Brett Martin supplies high profile projects as diverse as London’s Royal College of Art or Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium as well as a wide range of commercial and industrial buildings. This new low carbon alternative retains all the physical and performance properties of the company’s other Polycarbonate ranges and will be available to be specified in any Brett Martin’s Marlon polycarbonate multiwall, corrugated or flat sheets for use in roofs and walls. Employing over 1,000 people in total and with sales of £220million, Brett Martin is already one of Europe’s largest plastic sheet producers for the construction industry, and the new range is expected to create strong demand from a construction market eager to reduce its environmental impact. Brett Martin Director, Paul Martin said: “The drive for sustainable, carbon neutral plastic materials is progressing well, and our launch of Marlon BioPlus is the latest milestone in our journey to that end. Our extensive investment in renewable energy at our Mallusk site is unique in our industry and an important part of our plan. We extrude the sheet using energy generated from our own wind turbine and dedicated solar farm at Mallusk.” “This development of this new product reflects the newest technology in the plastic industry to introduce bio-based material. The process, known as mass-balancing, certifies the input of the material through the production system, similar to the way renewable energy enters the power grid. Importantly, the material is a recycled source and therefore the bio-based content does not compete with food production. “And because the substitution occurs at the earliest stage of the resin production process, all the visual and mechanical properties of the finished sheet remain completely unchanged. So, we anticipate strong demand for the product which is soon to be available to the market globally and we will begin to see it being used in all kinds of buildings soon,” he adds. www.brettmartin.com
The first sea shipment of construction aggregate derived from Cornish china clay waste has been brought into London by UK recycled materials specialists GRS. The delivery marks the start of an exclusive deal which enables GRS to import more than half a million tonnes of secondary granite – branded Enviroc® – from Cornwall into London each year by ship, with a fraction of the embodied carbon of other construction aggregates. London developers looking to build greener can specify the GRS material, available in bulk or bags, for almost every construction application from sub-base and capping layers to structural concrete and asphalt, and even decorative landscaping. Recognised by leading green building rating systems as one of the most sustainable alternatives to newly-quarried aggregates, Cornish granite has previously been used in a handful of London developments, including the Olympic Park. But its widespread use has been constrained by the belief that transporting it into London isn’t viable. Yet in partnership with the Port of Tilbury, GRS has invested £4 million in a new Molson CDE aggregates processing plant on the dockside to produce a range of high-quality, certified single-sized products to meet the needs of construction across London. Because of the plant’s location, that material can be delivered across the capital by road, rail and even river using GRS’s wholly-owned Thames freight business Walsh Marine. Power for the aggregates plant is supported by an on-side wind-turbine and the stone washing system uses rainwater that is recycled and reused time after time. Silt washed off the stone is collected for use in land remediation schemes further down the Thames and GRS says these ‘fines’ may themselves be used to produce a lightweight aggregate in the future. For centuries, the production of china clay (kaolin) has shaped the Cornish countryside. For every tonne of china clay extracted, around 9 tonnes of granite by-product is generated – this has built up into enormous waste piles estimated to be around 500 million tonnes which are now the source for Enviroc aggregates.The new venture sees GRS’s Cornish subsidiary Maen Karne haul the raw material from a china clay pit near St Austell to nearby Fowey harbour where it is loaded onto ships to make the 400 nautical mile trip to Tilbury for processing. Antony Beamish, Managing Director for GRS Trading, said: “This major investment allows us to turn an industrial by-product into a high-quality construction aggregate, Enviroc. By also transporting this material by water we can achieve unparalleled environmental performance – an independent study suggests the carbon footprint is on average 47% lower than the equivalent primary aggregates. That makes Enviroc arguably the UK’s most sustainable aggregate. Using it in combination with low-carbon cement, for example, could produce the lowest carbon concrete achievable. “We anticipate that Enviroc will change the way materials are specified on major construction jobs. Contractors can count on a consistent, quality product that meets specification and at the same time know that it’s the most sustainable aggregate there is – a UK-sourced, industrial by-product transported by water. It doesn’t get better than that.” Aggregates make up the single biggest volume of any materials needed for virtually every construction scheme, and London consumes about 10 million tonnes each year. With recycling of demolition and excavation waste virtually at its maximum in the capital, GRS believes the way to further improve the sustainability of aggregates is to use secondaries and transport them as efficiently as possible. Last year GRS announced an exclusive deal to bring to market millions of tonnes of granite aggregate arising from British tungsten mine which has reopened in Devon. Besides a marine wharf and processing plant at Tilbury, GRS is recommissioning a rail freight terminal to be able to transport secondary aggregates more widely across Greater London and the South East. Transporting aggregates by river and rail significantly reduces road miles and traffic congestion, and represents a fraction of the carbon emissions of road haulage. It also frees up road vehicles to focus on ‘the last mile’ to deliver products to construction sites – and GRS runs one of the most modern, clean and safe HGV tipper fleets in the capital, accredited to FORS Gold standard. The inherent characteristics of granite mean that Envirocis one of the most durable, versatile and consistent secondary construction aggregates available. GRS is able to make and supply the vast majority of typical aggregate products including type 1 sub-base, 6F5, single sizes, coarse sand, mortar sand, etc. Enviroc also complies with the requirements of British Standards for use as concreting aggregate, as unbound and hydraulically bound aggregate in civil engineering works and road construction, in applications such as drainage trenches, earthworks and capping, and in bituminous materials and surface treatments for roads, airfields and other trafficked areas.To find out more about Enviroc® visit www.grsroadstone.co.uk/enviroc call 0845 223 0444 or email sam@grsroadstone.co.uk
A new Affiliation Agreement between Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Wood Protection Association (WPA) has set the template for further consolidation of the timber industry, helping to drive the mass adoption of timber as a sustainable construction solution. TDUK has been formed from a merger between the Timber Trade Federation (TFF) and The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), creating the largest, most comprehensive supply chain body in the UK. TDUK now spans more than 1500 member businesses representing everything from Sawmill to Specifier. The WPA is the UK authority on wood protection and plays a lead role in influencing, developing and promoting technologies that enhance the performance and value of wood as a building material. Under the Affiliation Agreement, TDUK and WPA will continue to operate as independent membership organisations, but WPA will act as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation – providing the essential technical, quality assurance and support services under a united strategy to grow demand for added value treated timber products that can be trusted. The TDUK Affiliation Agreement with WPA is part of a bigger mission to align all wood and timber technical specification information under one roof. In so doing, TDUK aims to empower architects, designers, specifiers and engineers with the knowledge and confidence they need to use wood in their projects.
British Gypsum is reporting an overwhelmingly positive response and burgeoning sales of ThistlePro® FastSet Finish – its new rapid-setting plaster – in the first three months since its launch to the UK market. Introduced in April, ThistlePro FastSet Finish is a high-performance skim finish plaster, ideal for a wide range of repairs and use on smaller internal walls and ceilings due to its fast-setting attributes. It has proved a major hit with tradespeople across the UK, with dozens of plasterers taking to social media to sing its praises. Comments include: “A brilliant solution to a real problem”; “I’ve definitely found my Friday plaster. A walk-in wardrobe smashed out in no time thanks to FastSet Finish”; and “It sets in half the time of normal plaster. It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s fantastic for the little jobs on the way home so you’re not sat around waiting.” The sentiments were echoed by merchants themselves, with feedback such as: “Branches that have taken stock are (saying) their customers love the product… it’s an easy sell to customers” and reports that stocks of ThistlePro FastSet Finish have sold out within just two hours of arriving in store. While in many instances the product is being used for patching and repairs, merchants have also reported numerous examples of ThistlePro FastSet Finish being employed on other jobs where there is a tight schedule. ThistlePro FastSet Finish typically sets in half the time of standard skim finish plaster, with no compromise on performance. This enables more rapid completion of projects, maximising customer satisfaction and allowing plasterers to move on to their next project sooner too. A complete all-in-one bagged product, it also negates the need for plasterers to use additives or other methods to speed up setting times, a practice which can impact on overall plaster performance and potentially void the product guarantee. Paul Cassidy, Product Portfolio Development Director at British Gypsum, explained: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response from the sector to ThistlePro FastSet Finish since its launch. “So often, speed is of the essence in building projects – other tasks must be completed after plastering, so a product which dries quickly while still delivering optimal performance is vital. “ThistlePro FastSet Finish typically sets in just one hour, while still offering the performance attributes associated with the wider ThistlePro range which has become the ‘go-to’ choice for thousands of plasterers across the UK.” British Gypsum’s ThistlePro range also features ThistlePro PureFinish, ThistlePro DuraFinish and ThistlePro Magnetic, which are designed to provide better indoor air quality, a more durable finish and the option of creating interactive spaces. For more information on British Gypsum’s ThistlePro range, visit british-gypsum.com/specification/our-products/thistle-plasters.
CPI holds a market leading position in the construction materials sector, and we recognise our responsibility to play a similar leading role on sustainability in construction materials. We believe we have an opportunity to make a positive contribution to redefining the norms of the sector and to be an advocate for a low-carbon sustainable future. The CPI sustainability strategy identifies commitments in four key focus areas: planet, customer and products, people and communities. Underpinning these four areas is our commitment to an ethical and responsible approach to how we conduct our business every day. Our strategy challenges us to address issues that are closest to our business, and which make the biggest contribution to the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals that we have identified as being most relevant to us. Protecting our planet for us means limiting our impact on natural resources, reducing our carbon footprint by managing our use of energy and minimising waste, and recycling wherever possible. Our commitment to these principles and protecting the environment is underpinned by our ISO 14001 Environmental Management accreditation. Recognising that our manufacturing process has a high energy demand we completed a switch to 100% renewable electricity procurement during 2021. We have also identified scope to achieve partial self-sufficiency for electricity, reducing our demand on what is a limited renewable energy capacity, by installing solar arrays at a number of our factories during 2022. Despite a programme of annual re-investment in our delivery vehicles, we operate a diesel fleet that generates high emissions. At present we have not identified a suitable, more sustainable alternatives to our current fleet but continue to explore new technology developments and are highly engaged with our vehicle manufacturers. In the absence of imminent changes to our distribution carbon emissions we have initiated a carbon capture forestry scheme in partnership with Potanow Forestry. The CPI 30-hectare forest of some 80,000 trees will ensure that all EuroMix deliveries in 2022, both by CPI vehicles and also those contracted by us, will be carbon neutral. Our ISO 9001 Quality Management System accreditation, the international standard for quality management, is at the heart of our ambitions to drive continuous improvement to meet our customer needs. This is a key principle of the customer and product focus element of our sustainability strategy. Our BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation gives our customers the confidence that the materials used in our products have been secured through a responsible and sustainable supply chain. As the pioneers of dry silo mortar in the UK, at CPI we have some of the best technical product knowledge in the industry. We are using this extensive product knowledge to collaborate with our supply chain partners to develop more sustainable product choices within the parameters of the British Standard specification for masonry mortars as well as the other products we produce. Additionally, CPI takes a sustainable approach to limiting its waste streams, and reducing its use of plastics, and is also in the early stages of developing a sustainability code with its raw materials suppliers. We value our people and strive to provide a fair, safe and inclusive workplace where every colleague feels welcome and empowered to achieve their full potential. We know our colleagues also care about the environment and through our sustainable living campaigns, we help and support them to live more sustainably by providing useful information and resources. Making a positive contribution in the communities in which we operate is important to us and we are engaging with our colleagues to identify local community projects to support and to nominate charity partners. We are continuing our work with schools and colleges to raise awareness in areas such as health and safety, and the environment. At CPI, we are continually looking for new opportunities to support greater sustainability in the industry and our communities. We are committed to creating a more sustainable future and making progress within the construction industry. To discover more about CPI Euromix’s sustainability initiatives, visit: https://www.cpieuromix.com/sustainability/
Ibstock plc’s innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions in a high carbon world has been recognised at this year’s BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. The UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of clay and concrete building products and solutions was crowned winner of the Manufacturer of the Year Award, a category which recognises organisations that are pioneering green manufacturing best practices and principles and are producing new clean technologies and products to cut their environmental impact to support the transition to a greener economy. Now in their 12th year, the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards – co-ordinated by the leading green economy publication BusinessGreen – are the UK’s largest and most prestigious green business awards. In a competitive category, Ibstock won over the judges with “their highly innovative approach to slashing emissions in the high carbon world of brick manufacturing, where the company has pioneered a raft of new approaches and provided a crucial template for others to follow.” Well-known brands from a wide variety of sectors were shortlisted for the award including BAT, Meryl Medical and Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. In the last decade Ibstock has invested £115 million in manufacturing performance, implementing decarbonisation measures, production efficiencies and transformational technologies that reduce the carbon intensity and environmental impact of its operations and products whilst accelerating the businesses journey to net zero. Its achievements include: 17% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production 8% reduction in mains water 13.6% of sales turnover from new and sustainable products 200 tonnes of plastic packing removed Ibstock’s recently launched its Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategy to 2030, defining a new era of responsible business and manufacturing, serving as an important accelerator in speeding up the pace of change. Organised under three themes; Address Climate Change; Improve lives; and Manufacture Materials for life, headline ambitions include: 40% reduction in absolute carbon by 2030 20% of sales turnover revenue to come from new products and solutions that deliver customer value and improved sustainability Increase female senior leadership representation to 40% as part of a proactive approach to diversity and inclusion Commenting on the win, Joe Hudson, Ibstock plc’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “As an organisation that is committed to sustainable methods of manufacturing, we are delighted to be recognised as 2022 Manufacturer of the Year at these prestigious awards. Our employees have played a fundamental role in our sustainable success. Engaging and involving our people helps create a better understanding of our goals and ambitions as we work to create a more sustainable future. We are very proud of our progress to date, yet we know that we still have much more to do. Our new ESG strategy to 2030 will take our business on the next stage in its evolution to deliver on the future challenges and opportunities of decarbonisation.” (ends) COMPANY INFORMATION Ibstock is a leading manufacturer and supplier of clay and concrete building solutions to the UK construction industry, specialising in products and systems for the building envelope and infrastructure. Ibstock comprises two divisions – Ibstock Clay and Ibstock Concrete – both with leading market positions in the UK. Ibstock Clay: Our Clay division offers the largest range of bricks manufactured in the UK as well as prefabricated elements, precast solutions and brick-faced façade systems for both low rise and high-rise developments. Ibstock Concrete: Our Concrete division manufactures high quality, precast concrete products for the residential housing and hard landscaping markets and also has a growing position in infrastructure. Ibstock plc is headquartered in Ibstock, Leicestershire, with 36 manufacturing sites across the UK. Ibstock plc’s shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2015 (symbol: IBST) and it is a constituent of the FTSE 250. Further information can be found at www.ibstockplc.co.uk.
Aquaspira has successfully designed and delivered a sustainable solution to attenuate 910 cubic metres of storm water at a new 241-home development in Beccles, Suffolk. Aquaspira was handpicked by Hopkins Homes, the largest housing developer in East Anglia, to design and install a multi-leg tank, small and large diameter pipes under the roads with associated access units. The 500 metres of composite steel reinforced pipes will attenuate storm water and mitigate flood risk. Mark Wilkinson, Head of Technical from Hopkins Homes, said: “Aquaspira has worked with us on four or five developments and we asked our consulting engineers to specify Aquaspira at Barsham Vale because it would provide a lower carbon solution, minimise land take and reduce programme time. “An accredited and adoptable solution is vital and Aquaspira provides this, the added benefit is that the three metre sections of pipe help with the ease of installation.” The Barsham Vale development is in the picturesque market town of Beccles on the sought-after Suffolk and Norfolk border, just 10 miles from the Suffolk Heritage Coast. The development comprises of two, three and four-bedroomed homes, bungalows and apartments. The team was keen to minimise the impact of the construction on the existing local community. Due to the lightweight nature of the product, transport movements were halved compared to a traditional concrete solution. This, along with the reduced excavation, decreases vehicle emissions, helping to enhance construction site sustainability. Jonny Johnson from Aquaspira said: “This is an adoptable private housing project within Anglian Water. We were able to deliver the ideal solution, including a space saving multi-leg water attenuation tank, access points and a range of diameter pipes for under the road network. “We used composite steel reinforced pipes, including large diameter pipes, which along with the multi-leg tank can hold a vast amount of storm water under the new estate roads. This minimised the land take required for the SUDs and the safety issues associated with surface level storage. “As our products are far lighter weight than traditional concrete this more than halved the number of transport movements and depth required for installation. “We reviewed the soil conditions, depth and flotation to ensure the ground conditions were suitable. As part of the service we provide we produced loading calculations to BS 9295:2020 which confirmed that the products were suitable and adoptable for this application.” Dan West, director from Ingent Consulting Engineers, said: “Hopkins Homes requested Aquaspira was specified and I’ve been very impressed with the product and installation time. Lightweight and strong, the pipes can be handled more swiftly and safely, with much smaller machines and need about a quarter less excavation as well. “As a result, the Aquaspira solution has helped us to optimise the design, safety and installation efficiency of the development, as well as achieving minimal disruption for the local community. The installation ran smoothly and the environmental benefits offered by the products helped to ensure this was the perfect solution for this exclusive development.” The products used included: Under Road Drainage – 675mmØ, 750mmØ, 1200mmØ & 1800mmØ Pipes with 1200mm & 1800mm Access Units POS Attenuation Tank – 3-leg 1800mmØ Tank
Ten years since the start of UK production of REHAU’s RAUVITHERM pipe, the business is celebrating the market’s only UK-manufactured pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe to feed a growth in demand across renewable heat projects. Ever since its launch, RAUVITHERM has proven popular due to its combination of flexibility and low heat losses – both particularly well-suited to district heating, biomass, biogas and heat pump applications. The pipe is manufactured in REHAU’s Plant in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales, predominantly for the UK market since 2012. Employees from the UK head office and local politicians recently visited the factory to celebrate the 10 years of producing it in the UK, as well as discussing its vast potential in the future of renewable heat. Over the years, RAUVITHERM has been installed on a huge range of high-profile projects such as football club training grounds, National Trust and Grade 1 listed country manors, farm-based anaerobic digestion systems, schools, zoos and district heating networks for luxury lodge developments. More recently REHAU has seen growth in the number of individual houses which have used RAUVITHERM to connect air source heat pumps that are located away from the property. According to REHAU, this could be for a variety of reasons – heat pumps need good air flow to work effectively, and noise can also be an issue in some cases, so situating them on the side of the property is not always feasible. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions says: “We always knew RAUVITHERM was a great product with great potential, and it has gone from strength to strength over the years. “It was great to get together with colleagues to recently celebrate this while saying thank you for the factory’s support over this period. For example, we know the availability of pre-insulated pipe will be key to covering all bases in the Government’s heat pump rollout and enabling the wider success of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.” RAUVITHERM was initially launched in Germany in 2010, with REHAU then making the decision to invest in UK manufacturing in 2011, ahead of opening its first UK-based production line in 2012. The company held an event with customers, local politicians, government officials and key industry stakeholders in 2012 to celebrate the launch. Steve adds: “Having a locally manufactured pre-insulated pipe gives both us and our customers an estimated 29% reduction in CO2 versus importing from Germany. This is still the only UK-made pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe and helped us become the market leader for polymer district heating pipe in the UK. “Maintaining a resilient supply chain is critical to any business, so having local production where we prioritise certain pipe sizes during busy periods has really helped us grow as a company.” For more information on RAUVITHERM, click here.
BUILDING on the success of the past 18 months, PermaRoof Commercial, part of PermaGroup, has grown tenfold after making several key hires in response to demand. Since its inception in December 2020, PermaRoof Commercial has gone from strength to strength, completing a total of 62 projects, equalling approximately 21,000m2 of roofs laid across the country – the equivalent of more than 80 tennis courts. Among its extensive list of completed projects are contributions to several significant developments, including Hull ICU, Leeds University and The Leys in Surrey. Sunny Lotay, national commercial manager, said: “I’m incredibly proud of how far PermaRoof Commercial has come since its inception, and the fact that we’ve been able to attract so many talented individuals is a testament to the division’s success. We’ve welcomed new recruits within sales, logistics and commercial areas of the business, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the needs of our customers, while also growing our capabilities and cementing our expertise throughout the industry.” Some of the department’s recent key hires include: Paul Stapleton – commercial logistics manager; Rob Hunt – senior technical manager; Neiah Slater – commercial sales support; Scott Roberts – commercial logistics manager; and, Blake Clay – rooflights specifier. The external sales team has also grown, with the appointment of further experienced sales managers, Ian McKenzie, Tony Pitts, Paul Mullen and Simon Nicholls, who are responsible for delivering PermaRoof Commercial’s services across the country. So far, they have secured several unique projects, including Scottish Business Park, St. Andrews in Northampton, Churchill Medical Centre, and many more. Adrian Buttress, managing director, said: “I’m thrilled to see PermaRoof Commercial continue to forge ahead and deliver consistently strong projects. The calibre of tenders we are securing is thanks to Sunny’s hard work and commitment to establishing the foundations of the division, and we’re delighted to bring our new hires into the company as PermaRoof Commercial continues to grow and develop.” Sunny added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for us, as we’re currently working on 25 active projects and have tenders for a further 89 in the pipeline. We have great ambitions for the next 12 months as we continue to strengthen the commercial team with more new additions, both internally and externally, while simultaneously nurturing the existing team. “We have no intention of resting on our laurels either, as we also want to maintain this momentum and continue our winning streak by securing more supply chain tenders and doubling the number of installers within our PermaRoof Registered Installer (PRI) network. “Our ever-growing team is going to be fundamental to realising our goals and I’m incredibly excited to see where the next 18 months take us as we enter an exciting new chapter.” For more information on PermaRoof Commercial, please visit permaroofcommercial.co.uk or call 01773 608839.
Travis Perkins plc is investing in a new fleet of 26-tonne trucks, designed to support the Group’s ambitious carbon reduction target and maximise the safety and efficiency of its transport operations. They will operate in a mix of Travis Perkins and Keyline Civils Specialist liveries, providing building materials to construction customers nationwide. The multi-million-pound investment will see approximately 170 Volvo FM 330 6×2 rear-steer rigids delivered into service over two years – with 85 new FMs confirmed for this year; to be followed by around 85 more in 2023. It follows a strategic fleet review by the business led by Technical Fleet Director Karl Wilshaw, which saw the evaluation of multiple options from several major truck manufacturers. The new vehicles form an integrated part of the Group’s fleet decarbonisation roadmap, with each one benefitting from the latest Euro VI Step E diesel engine technology – engineered to reduce emissions and help save fuel without compromising performance – and with the capability to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). This will provide the opportunity for Travis Perkins plc to deploy the trucks into a number of locations that have had HVO enabled through a trial using certified HVO, which began in 2021 and includes 30 branches and 200 trucks nationwide. Key to winning the order was the latest generation FM’s ability to support a ‘technology detox’ within the cab, with the latest Volvos able to integrate multiple vehicle safety systems to optimise safety by decluttering the driver’s environment. This sees the FM’s nine-inch side display integrate feeds from Travis Perkins’ five-camera set-up and on-board weighing system, helping to reduce the need for additional monitors. The FM’s modern architecture also offers the perfect interface with the body and crane. The Group’s detailed review saw feedback collated from the company’s national driver engagement days, safety events and a series of driver focus groups, which were held to explore the future fleet requirements of the business, customers, and drivers. This directly led to the selection of the FM day cab which combines excellent vision with plenty of storage space, plus easy access and egress with a two-step entry and wide opening doors. At the drivers’ request, the new fleet also features extra lighting and additional load securing points. The internal team at Travis Perkins worked closely with Abdi Ali, National Key Account Manager at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, to tailor the specification to ensure sufficient ground clearance for safely navigating construction sites, whilst still ensuring the cab was three-star Direct Vision Standard compliant. Key to this was the selection of 385/55 R22.5 steer and 315/70 R22.5 drive and tag axle tyres. The trucks also benefit from a nine-tonne front axle, a 12-speed automated I-Shift transmission and an improved turning circle versus the 18-tonners they replace, thanks to Volvo’s hydraulically steered tag axle. Wilshaw says: “It’s so rewarding for all those involved to see this project coming to fruition; a huge amount of work went into consulting with our drivers, researching the latest available technologies and developing the build with Volvo Trucks, bodybuilder Massey Truck Engineering and crane supplier HIAB. We are really pleased with the result. We have FORS Gold accreditation, and these trucks play right into our continuous improvement efforts. They look fantastic, and they’re enabling our teams to operate more efficiently and safely.” The new fleet will be predominantly serviced and maintained within the Volvo Trucks dealer network, with the order including a mix of 5,200mm and 5,600mm wheelbases, to suit the varying needs of the business’ different branches. They will join a 1,600-strong commercial vehicle fleet and be in operation up to six days per week, covering around 30,000 miles per year. All new trucks feature a smart cab interior benefitting from Volvo’s Drive package, which adds remote central locking, twin armrests, electrically controlled air-conditioning and a tinted glass roof hatch. Travis Perkins has also chosen robust textile seats with a smart vinyl interior. Plus, for maximum safety, the cab has roof beacons, a passenger-side lower door window to improve direct vision, near-side proximity sensors, turn left audible warning, five camera view system and a white noise reversing alarm. Bodywork has been manufactured by Massey Truck Engineering.
