This is the largest single investment since the firm was acquired (from Cemex) in 2011 by Crown Global Equity, which manufactures concrete roof tiles in the US and Mexico.

Roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles has announced an £18.5 million 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 and 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 300,000 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 approximately 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.

This is the largest single investment since the firm was acquired (from Cemex) in 2011 by Crown Global Equity, which manufactures concrete roof tiles in the US and Mexico.  Since then, the UK company has seen £17.3 million invested in its three sites, continuing to increase efficiencies and capacity to meet demand.    

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 nine-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. This guarantees a continually uniform environment for curing, with high air volumes at a low flow rate.

Not only does this new system improve quality of the concrete roof tiles it is the most sustainable curing method available globally, aligning with Russell Roof Tiles’ commitment to sustainability.

Over the past two years Russell Roof Tiles has also invested £3.25 million at its 11-acre Scottish plant, highlighting its ongoing dedication to offering housebuilders and developers high-quality products and UPVC accessories.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director, 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

Kniveton MP said: “This new investment Russel Roof Tiles is making into its Burton site is fantastic news for our town and the wider economy, bringing more jobs and prospects to our area."