The South is now delivering the fastest volume growth for leading independent supplier Russell Roof Tiles. Its success in the region is attributed to the growing portfolio of new products.
This growth in volume sales reflects the latest figures for new home construction — both private and social housing is one of Russell Roof Tiles’ primary sectors. NHBC (National Home Building Federation) data for the three months to the end of April showed that 34,250 homes were completed. This is 19.6% more than the same period in 2014, with private housing 5% up and affordable housing a massive 57% up.
There are currently 155,500 plots under construction, this is 7.9% higher compared to the same time last year and 1.3% higher than last month. According to the latest economic construction market review in June, the majority of construction contracts awarded in May, by value, were in the South East, accounting to 34% of the UK total.
Russell Roof Tiles provides products for the UK’s top house builders and high profile social housing and commercial projects, where sustainability and eco-credentials are of the utmost priority. But it is Russell Roof Tiles’ investment in product development with innovative new products well suited to the Southern market which is attributed to business growth in the region.
Andrew Hayward, Managing Director at Russell Roof Tiles commented: “The regional requirements across the UK are quite specific for pitched roofing. Our expanding range — specifically our clay lifestyle blends, which are designed to deliver an authentic clay tile look — has been particularly popular in the South.”
Launched in 2014, Russell Roof Tiles clay lifestyle provides a blend of plain tile shades in a variety of creative ways to provide a multitude of different traditional looks, offering the durability of concrete with a traditional clay appearance. This effect is created by using different percentages of each colour tile to achieve the overall desired effect with both standard and bespoke blends, created for individual projects to suit specific local planning requirements.
Andrew added: “It is hugely significant that we are having such an impact in the South — this reflects both the growth in the region, the appeal of our product range and our strategic expansion of our Southern sales team last year.”
Twelve months ago, as part of its strategic growth plan, the company appointed a new Regional Sales Manager, Paul McLoughlin, with 30 years’ building, construction and roofing sector experience to launch a new Southern Division and to work alongside Business Development Manager Southern, Martin Taylor.
Russell Roof Tiles already has a significant number of prestigious clients in the region, including leading housing builders Bovis and Barratt Homes. It also supplied £750,000 roofing solutions for Center Parcs for all of its 625 forest lodges at Center Parcs, Woburn Forest.
Russell Roof Tiles manufactures on three state of the art plants, in Burton-on-Trent and in Lockerbie. The firm makes a range of concrete roof tiles and fittings and employs a team of 160 across its three sites and this year celebrates 50 years of manufacturing.
