PITCHED roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is investing £750,000 on a new ridge tile plant at the firm’s Scottish site, located in Lochmaben, Dumfries.
The upgrade is described as one of the largest at the site since operations began in 1986.
This investment, which aims to improve efficiencies and speed up manufacturing, will also see a ‘better-insulated’ curing chamber with a modern heating system being installed. This, the company explained, will provide the capacity to cure more ridge tiles in the chamber in a more ‘time-efficient manner’.
The announcement follows on from the £2.5 million investment made last year by Russell Roof Tiles. The money was used to assist with equipment and machinery upgrades as well as a revamp of its utility line.
Bruce Laidlaw, operations director at Russell Roof Tiles, said, “As part of the Russell Roof Tiles sustainability mission, we’re keen to invest in the business, upgrading our plants where necessary to ensure we are operating at a more energy-efficient capacity. The latest project falls in line with our sustainability strategy and we’re confident that it will result in lower carbon emissions.
“We’re just beginning the second stage of the project which will see us installing the new curing chambers, and we expect to see the project complete and running smoothly by the end of June.”
MD Andrew Hayward added, “This is another huge milestone in our long-term capital improvement plan to further enhance quality across the business and utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing.”
The investment also aligns with the company’s objective of reaching net zero by 2040, with the firm stating it has considered environmentally friendly upgrades that will lessen the carbon footprint of the plant.
