Construction materials giant Breedon has slashed the amount of time it spends on tachograph administration by 1,300 hours a year – thanks to Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution. With 450 HGVs operating across more than 300 sites, the group provides asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and surfacing solutions within the
Drainage and supply system specialist Polypipe Building Services is hosting two events open exclusively to those working in the building services industry, where it will reveal major additions to its MecFlow Supply System range. Developed to meet the rigours of commercial construction projects, the expanded MecFlow Supply System range will
Polypipe Building Services has secured it’s largest ever order to date for its fabricated drainage systems after being selected as the supplier for flagship project – Victoria Riverside in Red Bank, Manchester – part of Far East Consortium’s (FEC) £4bn Victoria North scheme, which is being delivered by principal contractor
IF STACKED in a line, the access covers sold by Wrekin Products in 2023 would reach the depth of the Mariana Trench – five and a half times over. The civil engineering solution specialist has enjoyed a hugely successful year despite the challenging construction environment, selling more than 550,000 iron products, releasing two
Yesterday the production of over 83,000 concrete tunnel segments for HS2 has begun at a new facility at Hartlepool docks. STRABAG were awarded the contract to manufacture the segments in October 2021 and chose Hartlepool as the location for their new production site. Located in a unit at Hartlepool Dock
Introducing Keyblok Linear: The Revolutionary Concrete Paver that Combines Sustainability and Affordability with Superior Performance. Marshalls PLC, a leading provider of innovative paving solutions, is proud to unveil its latest concrete paving product, Keyblok Linear, a product that sets new standards in sustainability, efficiency, and design versatility. Made in Britain,
Aggregate Industries has been chosen to deliver a five-year £47m road repair and maintenance contract across 3,000 miles of highways in Leicester and Leicestershire. The leading construction materials supplier, which has its group headquarters at Coalville in Leicestershire, was successful in the joint tender bid for carriageway patching, including pothole
One of the UK’s leading green construction companies is celebrating after recording its most successful business year to-date. Dura Products, which manufactures sustainable road kerbs and drainage solutions using recycled polymers, has sold over 100,000 units (over 50km) of Durakerb & Duradrain during the past year, up by almost 70%
Aggregate Industries will be showcasing its wide range of green construction material innovations and vast expertise in the road surfacing sector at the Highways UK 2022 exhibition as it continues in its mission to fast-track sustainability in the future of construction. Taking place on 2nd – 3rd November at the
Bluechain plans to reach 100,000 new customers in their first year, focusing on large businesses and SMEs with digital payment needs Bluechain, the fast-growing fintech startup that transforms the traditional payments and receivables process, has officially launched in the UK with their first customer, leading construction materials supplier, Aggregate Industries.
Construction materials giant Breedon has slashed the amount of time it spends on tachograph administration by 1,300 hours a year – thanks to Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management solution. With 450 HGVs operating across more than 300 sites, the group provides asphalt, ready-mixed concrete and surfacing solutions within the UK and Ireland. Webfleet’s Tachoshare Plus has helped Breedon re-coup the admin time by facilitating automatic daily remote downloads of both driver and vehicle tachograph data. Drivers and transport managers no longer need to travel to depots to complete vehicle downloads, saving them valuable time and maximising productivity by keeping the trucks on the road. Truck-specific navigation is also saving time and boosting driver safety. “With Webfleet’s HGV routing, we can set much more accurate routes avoiding low bridges, weight restrictions and narrow lanes,” said Sarah Scothern, General Manager, Transport & Logistics at Breedon Group plc. “It also means we can give more accurate pricing estimates for delivery jobs.” With MANTIS camera integration on most trucks, the transport team can now access video evidence remotely, immediately after incidents, using the same Webfleet interface. “Far from being a Big Brother intrusion, the in-cab technology means we can support our drivers better,” explained Sarah. “With Webfleet and the multi-camera system, we can see the full picture, confirming, for example, that a driver was braking sharply to avoid a car cutting in, rather than driving dangerously.” Matt Vass, Director of Channel and Product Marketing at Mantis added: “Imagine the peace of mind for Breedon knowing they can swiftly access critical footage without sifting through endless hours of recordings. With our advanced camera technology seamlessly integrated into Webfleet, moments like sudden braking trigger automatic uploads, ensuring Breedon can react promptly. “Additionally, they have the power to stream or download any footage directly from any camera memory system, free from traditional constraints. This streamlined process enables Breedon to swiftly obtain video evidence, so decisive action can be taken when required.” The company is analysing Webfleet data to identify incidents and event hot spots – and to gain insights into the root cause of problems. The investment has resulted in a significant insurance premium rebate in recognition of lower anticipated accident rates. Breedon has also set its sights on improving driver behaviour, leveraging Webfleet’s OptiDrive 360 driver feedback and reporting. “As well as setting challenging KPIs, we’re planning to introduce a driver of the year and most improved driver award, to help keep drivers incentivised to drive more safely and efficiently,” said Sarah. “In addition, we’re planning to integrate around 800 owner-drivers into the system, so wherever you work in the business, everyone will be measured against the same benchmark.” Webfleet’s powerful reporting suite will be integral to the company’s aim to achieve the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) Silver accreditation by the end of this year and net zero carbon emissions by 2038. “Our large fleet presents a significant opportunity for CO2 savings and is a key focus of our sustainability strategy,” said Sarah. “With Webfleet’s certified CO2 report, we can now accurately measure our CO2 emissions, confirming not just how much our vehicles are emitting, but also why and where.” Breedon uses Fleetcare for 100 HGV vehicles transporting cement, combining Bridgestone’s best-in-class tyre range and tyre management solutions with Webfleet fleet management. Drawing upon connected tyre and vehicle data and reporting, Fleetcare provides smarter and more predictive maintenance solutions for the company, helping to reduce its total cost of fleet ownership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Drainage and supply system specialist Polypipe Building Services is hosting two events open exclusively to those working in the building services industry, where it will reveal major additions to its MecFlow Supply System range. Developed to meet the rigours of commercial construction projects, the expanded MecFlow Supply System range will offer greater choice in design and installation options for those specifying and fitting supply systems. The two exclusive events, to be held in London and Manchester, will see experts from the Polypipe Building Services team on hand to demonstrate the expanded range of products and show how MecFlow is suitable specifically for all commercial applications. During the events there will be a chance for visitors to get hands-on with the new products themselves and experience just how robust they are. (main picture) Ian Crickmore, Technical Director of Polypipe Building Services, explains: “Supply systems need to meet all manner of tough standards if they’re to be suitable for use in commercial projects. This is the principle on which we first launched MecFlow, with its robust multi-layer construction and award-winning electrofusion jointing. “Now we’re excited for the next chapter, and at our events in London and Manchester we’ll be revealing first-hand how the expanded MecFlow range will meet an even greater range of applications. Those attending will be able to hear from our industry experts on why this should be their go-to choice for a strong, durable supply system.” These roadshow events are open to anyone working in the building services sector and are being held at the following city central venues: Both events will feature ‘live’ demonstrations and presentations on the latest MecFlow products with ‘how-to’ sessions in tooling and jointing, together with a live roundtable discussion between leading industry figures on hot topics including the skills gap and modern methods of construction. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to gain CPD points with a CIBSE accredited presentation session on the topic of ‘Sustainable Design, Methodology & Building Lifecycle’. These exclusive London and Manchester events are split into morning and afternoon sessions (9.30am-1pm & 1pm-4.30pm) to provide attendees with maximum access to all the activities taking place. For more information and to register for your entry ticket visit: Manchester - https://bit.ly/PBS-MecFlow-Sign-Up-Manchester London - https://bit.ly/PBS-MecFlow-Sign-Up-London Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Polypipe Building Services has secured it’s largest ever order to date for its fabricated drainage systems after being selected as the supplier for flagship project – Victoria Riverside in Red Bank, Manchester – part of Far East Consortium’s (FEC) £4bn Victoria North scheme, which is being delivered by principal contractor CR Construction (U.K.) Company Ltd. With the first phase complete work on a second phase has now begun, and when completed will provide a selection of one, two and three-bedroom dwellings with a total of 611 apartments and 23 townhouses and duplexes at the surrounding lower level. The development is due to be completed in January 2025. Mechanical and electrical building services contractor Briggs & Forrester Living selected Polypipe Building Services as their drainage solution supplier because of their expertise in designing, fabricating, and delivering tailor-made fabricated systems to meet their requirements. This project has specified the use of the company’s fabricated Terrain FUZE HDPE soil and vent pipes and rainwater pipes which have begun arriving to site already in a series of floor-by-floor deliveries. Robert Dunn, Key Account Director at Kent-based Polypipe Building Services, said: “We are delighted Briggs & Forrester Living approached us about this project as we have worked alongside them on many projects over the years. “We’ve already made our first delivery and as it is a city centre location and a constrained site working out a feasible delivery schedule with Briggs & Forrester has been crucial. Because of the repetitive nature of the floor shapes, prefabrication was a perfect solution for this project so installation can take place floor by floor and they are easy to hoist up all together. “By providing everything fully fabricated, measured, cut, assembled and pressure tested at our state-of-the-art facility, it also gives their installation team complete reassurance of the quality and performance of the drainage system while making it a faster, simpler, and safer process on-site. “The sustainability aspect is another benefit of prefabrication as there’s no wastage and Polypipe Building Services take any offcuts from site when we deliver materials so we can recycle them into product again, together with recycling and reusing old pallets and any plastic packaging.” Philip Ashton, Construction Manager in the Northern region at Briggs & Forrester Living, said: “We are excited to be working on this project alongside the team at Polypipe Building Services as we are very familiar with their Terrain products, which offer us greater flexibility, as they have a bigger selection of various sizes than other manufacturers. We’ve got a good system in place with the Polypipe team. We try to standardise stack types which makes the design sign off at the beginning of the project a much quicker process. “A lot of other drainage manufacturers no longer offer the option of prefabrication, but at Polypipe Building Services the process of design and sign-off with their Advantage Team is good and they’re always available if we need to work something through with them. “This site has a very small footprint meaning deliveries must be ‘just in time’ which we operate through our local merchant. This means we only have delivered to site what we need at that time which is essential and works very well. The materials are palletised to suit a floor of drainage, and this is a huge advantage when loading out.” For more information about the commercial drainage products and prefabrication service at Polypipe Building Services go to www.polypipe.com/this-is-our-terrain Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
IF STACKED in a line, the access covers sold by Wrekin Products in 2023 would reach the depth of the Mariana Trench – five and a half times over. The civil engineering solution specialist has enjoyed a hugely successful year despite the challenging construction environment, selling more than 550,000 iron products, releasing two new geosynthetics products and launching a new steel installation service. The Midlands based business has also revealed that it raised a record number of quotes, extended or secured work on four major frameworks, and raised more than £1,000 for charity this year. Three new starters and a senior promotion has seen Wrekin’s geosynthetics division become the one to watch. The extra investment saw the launch of new geosynthetic clay liners and a composite geogrid – as well as a streamlining of the existing product ranges to further and better supply merchants, all resulting in a record year for the comprehensive geosynthetics provider. Simon Turner, commercial director at Wrekin Products, said: “In almost all measures of business we’re seeing year on year growth across iron, steel and geosynthetics. We’ve been hard at work this year streamlining and optimising our offering so that our high-quality products that we’re known for are even more useful and accessible to our customers. From Belfast to Great Yarmouth our solutions have been making their desired impact. “This continues our design and operational aim to make every day better. Our innovations have led the civil engineering sector this year and we will continue to do so as we trailblaze into 2024.” Additionally, Wrekin launched its first white paper this year titled Potholes: More Than a Surface Issue, which was produced in collaboration with multiple local authorities and Gaist to investigate the correlation between potholes and substandard ironwork and installation. Simon continued: “Developing the whitepaper was a new adventure for us with the aim of utilising our expertise and sharing our industry knowledge to benefit our business partners. Though we understand the importance of high-quality ironwork and installation, it was a creative and thought-provoking way of shining a light on issues like this, and is something we may look at doing more of in the future in relation to challenges faced by the construction and civil engineering industries. “Ultimately, the hard work of the team across the business has put us on an excellent footing to start the new year moving from strength to strength. I’m incredibly proud and grateful for all of their perseverance, diligence, and passion.” To find out more about Wrekin’s industry impact, visit its website here: https://www.wrekinproducts.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday the production of over 83,000 concrete tunnel segments for HS2 has begun at a new facility at Hartlepool docks. STRABAG were awarded the contract to manufacture the segments in October 2021 and chose Hartlepool as the location for their new production site. Located in a unit at Hartlepool Dock which was previously used for the fabrication of oil rigs, the new facility has been fitted out with a state of the art automated segment carousel and reinforcement hall. Robots controlled by telemetry have been installed to produce the high quality reinforcement cages required for each segment. The location boasts excellent transportation links, both by road and sea, and the STRABAG team have brought the rail head adjacent to the site back into use, reinstating rail connections. Over 100 jobs have been created at the Hartlepool facility, including six new apprenticeships and a number of formerly unemployed people recruited from the local area. STRABAG are also utilising the local supply chain, sourcing aggregate from local quarries and using UK recycled steel. Over 83,000 precast tunnel segments will be produced for HS2 in order to construct the Northolt tunnel east and Euston tunnel. They will be used to construct 3.4miles of twin bored tunnel for the Northolt tunnel East, and 5miles of twin bored tunnel for the Euston tunnel between Old Oak Common and Euston. Each ring has an 8.8m outside diameter, is 35 centimetres thick and weighs seven tonnes. The Hartlepool facility will be used to produce HS2 tunnel segments for around three years but the investment from STRABAG in the site is part of a long term UK investment strategy. Ruth Todd CBE, HS2’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “HS2 is already bringing benefits to the UK economy, creating jobs around the country as part of the construction and manufacturing required for HS2. STRABAG’s choice of location in Hartlepool for its new facility demonstrates a commitment to bringing new job and training opportunities to the North East, and the HS2 project provides a great pipeline of work. “Over 3,000 UK based businesses are already working on the project, with over 28,500 jobs directly supported, with many more through the supply chain. As more phases of the HS2 programme begin, there will be many more opportunities for businesses across the UK to get involved in this once-in-a-generation mega-project.” Hartlepool MP, Jill Mortimer, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to be back at STRABAG and in two years seeing how much they have achieved. We were talking about jobs and investment then and now it is here. It’s £50million of investment and 100 jobs, not just for HS2 but beyond, for 50 or 60 years building tunnels across the nation. We should be really proud that Hartlepool is part of the HS2 project because that is something that is going to bring benefits across the country.” Robotics will be used by the STRABAG team at the facility and a state-of-the-art automated segment carousel will ensure shorter turnaround times and better quality in production. The automation used in creating the steel reinforcement cages reduces wastage to negligible volumes and operates with energy efficiency levels significantly better than traditional methods. Andy Dixon, MD for STRABAG UK, said: “This is an extremely exciting day for STRABAG’s UK operations. Our new factory in Hartlepool allows us to manufacture products for HS2 in the North East of England by giving new life to a vacant site and bringing over 100 new skilled jobs to the area. The increased use of automation enhances production efficiency, creates a safer environment for our staff as well as creating new technology related job opportunities. “In addition, having direct access to the rail network means that we can take a significant number of lorries off of UK roads. This creates a more sustainable solution in the way that we transport tunnel segment rings to the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) building the London tunnels for HS2, resulting in a reduction in our carbon footprint.” 96 concrete segments rings will be produced each day at the site, with teams of 30 working in shifts across 24 hours, seven days per week. HS2’s Main Works Civils Contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), are constructing HS2’s London tunnels. The segments will be transported by rail to HS2’s London logistics hub, part of HS2’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions in construction.. Starting in the summer, a 20 carriage train will depart from the site each day over six days, increasing to 2 per day as production increases. From the Logistics Hub, the segments will be transported by an electric Multi-Service Vehicle (MSV) to the neighbouring construction sites and transferred on to the four giant Tunnel Boring Machines that will be constructing these tunnels. James Richardson, Managing Director of SCS JV, said: “We are proud to be able to support the development of this state-of-the-art industrial facility, ensuring jobs and economic growth are secured for the future in the Hartlepool area.“The tunnel segments manufactured here in Hartlepool will be transported by rail to our tunnel boring machines, forming the high-speed tunnels in the heart of London. By using rail instead of road to move over 83,000 segments, we avoid over 56,000 lorry journeys and reduce CO2 emissions by 76 percent. At all stages of the manufacturing, transportation and installation of these tunnel segments, we will ensure the building of a cleaner, greener railway and unlocking the social benefits HS2 can bring across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Introducing Keyblok Linear: The Revolutionary Concrete Paver that Combines Sustainability and Affordability with Superior Performance. Marshalls PLC, a leading provider of innovative paving solutions, is proud to unveil its latest concrete paving product, Keyblok Linear, a product that sets new standards in sustainability, efficiency, and design versatility. Made in Britain, Keyblok Linear offers a sustainable alternative to traditional clay pavers, as this product isn’t fired like clay, it produces 54% less carbon than clay paver alternatives, making it an environmentally conscious choice for landscape architects and designers. The interlocking grooves and nib detailing of Keyblok Linear facilitate swift installation, saving valuable time and resources. And with its better tolerances compared to clay pavers, Keyblok Linear has a reduced risk of chipping, ensuring a pristine finish that will withstand heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic with ease. Available in four stunning colours, Keyblok Linear provides an extensive palette to suit any design vision. Whether the project calls for a classic or contemporary aesthetic, this high-impact paver delivers unmatched visual appeal, effortlessly enhancing the surrounding environment. For further information and details, view here: https://www.marshalls.co.uk/commercial/range/keyblok-linear Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries has been chosen to deliver a five-year £47m road repair and maintenance contract across 3,000 miles of highways in Leicester and Leicestershire. The leading construction materials supplier, which has its group headquarters at Coalville in Leicestershire, was successful in the joint tender bid for carriageway patching, including pothole repairs, for Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council. It is inclusive of all required works including excavation and milling, removal of road planings, provision of material and the machine laying and compaction of asphalt materials – these may include a range of Aggregate Industries proprietary products, Aggregate Industries is the sole provider for the contract, which initially runs from July 2023 to July 2024, with an optional extension period of four years to be run over 12-month incremental periods. As part of the agreement, Aggregate Industries will be working in partnership with both local authorities to reduce carbon and help support their net-zero ambitions. Materials and delivery of works will be supported by the company’s Leicestershire plants at Bardon Hill and Croft. Jonathan Falls, Midlands Area Manager for the company’s Surfacing Solutions division, said: “This is fantastic news and a great recognition of the quality of our approach and service delivery for customers. “This forms core business for our Midlands team. We’re really proud to be chosen to repair and maintain the roads of Leicester and Leicestershire, especially with it being right on our doorstep and having worked with both authorities as customers for well over 30 years. “We will work collaboratively with both councils, with an important part of the contract delivery focusing on the need to help deliver low carbon solutions to support the city and county’s net-zero strategies. “This is something that really resonates with Aggregate Industries and we’re pleased to be able to provide a circular approach by recycling planings from areas of carriageway we repair back into the network. Having big local sites at Bardon and Croft also means less journey time and less emissions.” As part of our social value commitment under the contract agreement, Aggregate Industries will use low-carbon materials and carbon usage reporting. The company will be dedicating volunteering hours to support Leicestershire community organisations and supporting young people’s access routes to work as well as providing educational opportunities to local schools/colleges to attend local Quarry and Technical Laboratory visits. Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “This contract arrangement is a good fit for us, with the company’s head offices local to Leicestershire and they will also deliver carbon-reduction innovations which is a nod to our wider net zero pledge.” Councillor Adam Clarke, Deputy City Mayor for Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency said: “The work carried out under this contract will be maintenance and repair schemes in local neighbourhoods, which are an important part of our ongoing investment in the city’s highways.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s leading green construction companies is celebrating after recording its most successful business year to-date. Dura Products, which manufactures sustainable road kerbs and drainage solutions using recycled polymers, has sold over 100,000 units (over 50km) of Durakerb & Duradrain during the past year, up by almost 70% on 2021 figures. This follows on from a sustained period of growth in 2020, during which the business grew by over 60%. Sustainability has never been more important in the construction industry. With the UK now committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, fundamental changes are required to the way we live and work, particularly in construction. The built environment currently accounts for around 33% of carbon emissions in the UK, meaning actions taken by the sector make a big difference to the outcome. As a result, demand for Dura Product’s solutions in 2022 has been significant. In the UK alone, the business has supplied many innovative and game changing projects like the McDonald’s drive-thru in Market Drayton, Shropshire, the UK’s first net zero restaurant. More than 500 metres of the eco-friendly Durakerb was supplied around the drive-thru and customer parking areas. Duradrain, the company’s pioneering kerbside drainage product, was also recently installed at the UK’s largest drive-thru of Canadian donut chain Tim Hortons, in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester. The installation has helped towards Tim Horton’s sustainability strategy, in which it claims to have “an obligation to address climate change head on”. In addition, 2,680 metres of Duradrain, has been installed by UK infrastructure contractor, Colas, for its latest highways project on the A46 at Stoneleigh, reducing scope 3 Co2e emissions by over 82,000kg. This involves the construction of a new bridge over the A46, and the realignment of slip roads to form the basis of a new gyratory system, which will reduce delays and improve road safety in the future. Commenting on the success of the business in the UK, Dura Products Managing Director, Steve Bennett said: “We are delighted with the way the company has performed this year. There has been a noticeable shift towards green construction over the past few years and this has been reflected in sales of our sustainable solutions. We are very much looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings.” Outside of the UK, Dura Products has also been very active driving sustainable construction in Europe. 12 countries now enjoy the widespread benefits of Duradrain – which comprises 70% recycled material in every 500mm unit – including the UK and Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Romania. Notable installations include the biggest single infrastructural investment ever undertaken in County Mayo, Ireland. The 20.3km dual carriageway formed part of Wills Bam JV’s €241 million N5 upgrade project. Meanwhile, in Landgraaf, Netherlands, Dura Products’ solutions were used to install a safe cycle lane running adjacent to a key stretch of road. The company has also recently partnered with MY Plast, a specialist high tech manufacturer operating in Romania to produce, stock and deliver the combined kerb and drainage system across mainland Europe and Ireland. Sales within the EU now account for up to 50% of all sales, and with a centrally located factory, the company is ideally set-up to support new projects within Europe and further afield. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries will be showcasing its wide range of green construction material innovations and vast expertise in the road surfacing sector at the Highways UK 2022 exhibition as it continues in its mission to fast-track sustainability in the future of construction. Taking place on 2nd – 3rd November at the NEC, Birmingham the Highways UK exhibition brings together all key stakeholders responsible for planning, developing, managing, maintaining, and future-proofing the nation’s road networks. Since launching in 2015, it has quickly become the most popular annual event in the industry’s calendar. Located at stand G11, Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions senior leadership team will be on hand during the two days to discuss the business’ wide range of innovative sustainable road surfacing solutions, along with the business’ renowned contracting services. Key green innovations set to be discussed at Aggregate Industries stand include SuperLow-Carbon – the industry’s first biogenic asphalt – along with Foamix, which uses up to 95% recycled or reclaimed products in the mix design. Visitors will also get insight on the business’ warm mix asphalt range, now available as standard, providing a more sustainable solution for surfacing applications. “We’re thrilled to be returning to Highways UK this year where we will be showcasing our full scope of sustainable solutions designed for the sector,” said Thomas Edgcumbe, Managing Director for Surfacing Solutions at Aggregate Industries. “Greener highways may be high on the list as Britain looks to its net zero future, but it still faces some important challenges. One of the most pressing of these is transitioning to credible low-carbon solutions that deliver the same structural integrity as traditional ones while delivering on wider net zero aims. Adding further complexity is the challenge of tight deadlines, restricted budgets and economic uncertainty. As we see it, our job is to make easier work of this shift by not just developing innovations to meet the future challenge, but the expertise to deliver them at scale and pace.” For Aggregate Industries it isn’t just about helping the industry building greener now but inspiring and empowering the next generation. This is seen as, as part of the show’s Exhibitors’ Trail; the business will host three groups of local school children who will learn more about carbon reduction in construction and the wide variety of job opportunities available through Aggregate Industries’ apprenticeship scheme. Alongside this, the children, as with all attendees, will get a chance to take part in the ‘Carbon Conundrum’ game which involves creating a road scheme and being awarded a traffic light rating on carbon and social value. As a key event sponsor, the company’s Sustainability Director, Kirstin McCarthy will also be hosting an expert talk at the event entitled ‘Transition to Net Zero’ covering the latest sustainable construction solutions and processes on the market and the role they can play in accelerating the net zero trajectory. Talking of the show, Kirstin adds: “Drawing on our rich legacy of working on some of the biggest road surfacing projects in Britain, we continue to invest heavily in developing and delivering the innovation needed to enable a greener highways future. Highways UK offers the ideal platform to demonstrate our ever-expanding portfolio and provide expert consultancy, and we look forward to meeting as many attendees as possible.” Aggregate Industries’ expert ‘Transition to Net Zero’ speaker slot will take place on 2nd November at 2.50pm. To find out more visit www.highways.co.uk. Alternatively, for more information on Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions visit www.aggregate.com
Bluechain plans to reach 100,000 new customers in their first year, focusing on large businesses and SMEs with digital payment needs Bluechain, the fast-growing fintech startup that transforms the traditional payments and receivables process, has officially launched in the UK with their first customer, leading construction materials supplier, Aggregate Industries. The objective is to allow Aggregate Industries to digitise the billing, collections and reconciliation process with their SME customers. Bluechain sees the UK as a strategic marketplace for its current growth objectives and they plan to expand aggressively into the marketplace, aiming to reach 100,000 new customers by the end of their first year. With further global expansions already in the works, including Europe and Africa, Bluechain has their sights set on landing large businesses and SME customers across a range of sectors including utilities, wholesale, construction and professional services. The UK expansion follows a very successful Australian launch in the summer of 2020 focused on supporting SMEs. Bluechain has a growing number of customers and partners, including NRS Couriers, Rabbithole Café, Madcrew Wealth and Tuber. The Request to Pay (RtP) experts offer their platform to connect businesses and their customers in real-time, transforming the biller and payer experience and taking the reactive “black hole” of invoicing into an insightful and connected mutually beneficial relationship. As the global economy navigates rising inflation, energy prices and the cost of living, financial management and budgeting are more important than ever. Bluechain’s platform puts the control in the hands of the payee. Customers can schedule bills at a date that aligns with their payday and split payments into smaller amounts, pay in full or query their bill. With Bluechain’s network, businesses receive complete transparency on invoice status with live data to know when they will get paid. It also eliminates security risks as payment data is never in transit and verified billers no longer need to share risky text payment links. With 54% of banks and Payment Service Providers citing technology limitations and existing systems as their biggest obstacle, Bluechain provides a fully featured capability that can seamlessly plug into existing core platforms like ERPs, accounting platforms and CRMs. Tim Annis, UK Managing Director at Bluechain, said: “Businesses, such as Aggregate Industries and their customers are the backbone of the UK economy and this launch into the UK market is a great opportunity for Bluechain to help transform the payments experience particularly for SMEs. Bluechain’s platform takes businesses one step closer to their customers, and we are thrilled at the opportunities that this is bringing for UK customers. It’s great to be able to work with a partner like Aggregate Industries as we thrive together in delivering the best in class customer experience for billing and collections.” Phil Rice, Head of Credit at Aggregate Industries said: “Aggregate Industries and the broader Holcim Group are always looking for new ways to support and improve the customer experience. Through our open innovation platform, Holcim MAQER, we identify and partner with startups delivering the most impactful solutions that solve challenges for our customers and our own teams. Bluechain presents an opportunity to create a closer level of customer engagement. The focus on how we can help them become more digitally enabled whilst at the same time supporting the cost-to-service receivables makes it a win-win. Bluechain’s end-to-end approach presents just such a solution.” Stephen Bedggood, Vice President of Product at Bluechain added: “Bluechain’s launch in Australia has been very successful, with a significant number of small businesses and enterprises making or receiving payment via our platform. The expansion into the UK is a testament to the global success and impact we have had to date empowering businesses and customers in their payments journeys and I am excited to see this replicated in the UK market.” Philip King, Ex Small Business Commissioner and Advisor at Bluechain said: “One of the most challenging things for people to do in a cost of living crisis is pay, which is why it’s important to give customers the ability to do so efficiently. Bluechain’s technology takes payments and billing to the next level in a way that transforms how companies connect with their customers. Managing finances is at the front of people’s minds, and it is easy to lose sight of the person behind the invoice when focusing on the end goal of getting paid. Bluechain’s platform is customer-centric and gives the biller the visibility to meet their customer’s needs.” Bluechain is available now in the UK. For more information, please visit bluechain.com. Media inquiries, please contact: bluechain@hardnumbers.co.uk