Tile manufacturer announces multi-million pound expansion of Burton site
Pioneering roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) has announced £18.5m investment in expansion, doubling output at its Burton site.
The company is a leading independent pitched roof tile manufacturer supplying products for top housebuilders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects. The company produces thousands of concrete roof tiles and accessories tiles every week used on roofs across the country.
The expansion will help Russell Roof Tiles meet increasing demand for its products to meet the UK 's housing needs of 300k new homes every year.
The project is a multi-national co-ordination of supply partners from Sweden, Denmark, Germany and British suppliers and is funded by the business. The expansion will ultimately create approx. 25-30 skilled and semi-skilled jobs in engineering and maintenance.
Ground works have already started on preparations for the new factory and line. Construction will start towards the end of 2023 with the new facilities completed, and product output starting from mid July 2024. The current site will continue to manufacture whilst the major project takes place.
The firm employs 150 over three sites, two in Burton and one in Lochmaben (Scotland) and the company is already the leading independent supplier of concrete derivatives for the UK pitched roofing market.
The Nicolson Way site in Burton was first opened in 1990 and now covers 9-acres. This new investment will deliver more manufacturing lines and a new 1600 sq m building which will house a state-of-the-art curing chamber (only the second of its type in the country) for the concrete tiles.
The new facility, a QUADRIX� from Kraft Curing Systems GmbH, accelerates the curing process through the controlled addition of heat and humidity.
In January last year, the company announced its mission to reach net zero by 2040 and has already been investing in sustainability for over 10 years.
Over the past two years Russell Roof Tiles has also invested £3.25m at its 11-acre Scottish plant, highlighting its ongoing dedication to offering housebuilders and developers high-quality products and UPVC accessories.
This latest investment is part of Russell Roof Tiles ' ongoing capital improvement plan to further enhance quality across the business, by utilising the latest innovations in manufacturing.
Andrew Hayward, managing director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “This is a major milestone for Russell Roof Tiles, marking the biggest ever single investment for our business. It is the culmination of 18 months of planning and will increase manufacturing efficiencies, using the latest innovations to reduce our environmental impact. ”
“The latest project is an important part of our long-term growth as well as our sustainability strategy, using the best-in-class equipment to ensure we 're manufacturing products of the highest quality in the most efficient way. ”
To mark the announcement, Kate Kniveton Member of Parliament (MP) for Burton and Uttoxeter visited the Burton site with the firm 's Managing Director Andrew Hayward.
Kate Kniveton MP said: “It was great to be with Andrew and the team at Russell Roof Tiles in Burton. Russell Roof Tiles is a company which has made real progress over recent years, expanding and employing more and more people locally.
“This new investment Russel Roof Tiles is making into their Burton site is fantastic news for our town and the wider economy, bringing more jobs and prospects to our area. ”
Pictured: Andrew Hayward, MD at Russell Roof Tiles giving tour of site to MP Kate Kniveton