With continued dedication to skills training and product investment, pioneering roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles has opened its first Training & Innovation Hub.
The leading pitched roof tile manufacturer has invested £100,000 in developing a brand-new facility, close to its previous training centre and close to its plastics and accessories manufacturing unit in Burton on Trent.
The new Training & Innovation Hub provides a site for research and development for the company’s new product development program. Evaluating and enhancing technical aspects of roofing solutions is key and has been fundamental to its success.
The Construction Skills Network forecasts a need for over 250,000 additional workers by 2028 to meet construction demands therefore the training facilities are much needed to help skill a new generation within the roofing sector.
The new 3,418 sq. ft space will house both Russell Roof Tiles expanded technical team, as well as an innovation hub for product development it features six modular roof rigs units, with pitched and vertical options. The custom-made rigs enable course delegates to experience ‘hands-on’ practical sessions with Russell’s range of tiles and fittings, along with dry fix accessories.
The facility is a huge boost and extends its first training facility, opened in 2016, which has been used to train both staff and customers in the full range of roofing products the company makes. This training covers how the products are manufactured as well as how they should be correctly installed. Theoretical training in the classroom covers topics including product awareness, roofing systems, correct fixing, British Standards, regulations and roof estimating.
The new facility is headed up by Technical Director Mark Parsons. Mark is well-known within the roofing sector and advises leading national bodies such as the National Home Building Council (NHBC) and the Roof Tiles Association (RTA) on technical best practices.
As well as investing in the new site, Russell Roof Tiles is bringing its expanding central services team over from the firm’s other facility in the town on Nicolson Way, to make way for enhanced manufacturing as part of a £18.5m major site enhancement.
Andrew Hayward, Managing Director of Russell Roof Tiles added, “This latest investment in the new facility supports our new product development as well as supporting our investment in providing expert tuition on installing all our latest products, both tiles and dry fixing systems. We’re delighted to be bringing our teams together on one expanded site.”
Andrew adds, “Innovation has always been front and centre of our business: from the launch of the first thin leading-edge interlocking tile – the Galloway to the new Bute3® that utilises the latest pioneering technology and precision engineering to create a multifunctional triple interlocking roof tile.
“We continue to invest in products, our manufacturing facilities, our people, and services to not only meet demands but offer solutions and new ideas with a dynamic approach to product innovation.”
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