Midlands firms feature in BIS construction exhibition
COMPANIES from across the Midlands boosted their profile by taking part in an exhibition highlighting the strength of the UK construction products industry.
The exhibition, held at the Department of Business Innovation and Skills in London, featured exhibits include energy saving glass, insulation products, boilers and heating elements. It also showcases the importance of the UK heavy products industry – aggregates, blocks, cement and brick.
Baxi Group, part of BDRTherma, which has bases in Warwick and Erdington, demonstrated its Micro CHP (Combined Heat and Power System), which is able to generate useable electricity as well as heat for the home.
Wolverhampton-based Tarmac Building Products, the UK’s largest supplier of heavy building products, also exhibited, as did cement firm Cemex, whose Rugby operation is the country’s largest cement manufacturing facility.
Leicester-based Aggregate Industries and brickmaker Ibstock also took part in the exhibition.
The UK Construction Products sector represents, collectively, 20% of all goods manufactured in this country. With an annual output of more than £50bn – 10% of which is exported.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The construction products industry is vital to the UK economy employing around half a million people.
“The Budget demonstrated the Government’s commitment to promoting UK construction growth through action on enterprise zones, regulation, and fundamental reforms to the planning system.
“I am extremely grateful to the Construction Products Association and the companies who have contributed exhibits to this event.”
Bill Bolsover, chairman of the Construction Products Association, said: “Government has rightly recognised that the construction products industry has a key part to play in the development of Advanced Manufacturing in this country.”
He said the innovative products and solutions being developed by companies in the industry would play a major part in ensuring it met carbon reduction commitments.
“We therefore welcome this invitation from BIS to demonstrate some of the really exciting innovations that our companies have developed,” he added.
