PRECAST CONCRETE EXPERT SHARES ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE

Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director of Telford-based Elite Precast Concrete, was amongst a number of influential industry experts who made presentations at the Resource Efficiency & Waste Management Solutions (RWM) Exhibition held last week (11-13th September) at the NEC in Birmingham.

Owen led a session in the event’s Technology and Innovation Theatre entitled “Innovation and Technology Aspects of the Precast Concrete Production Process”, where he gave an overview about how Elite Precast Concrete has been able to successfully use sand created as a natural by-product of the quarrying process as a secondary aggregate in its concrete mix. This solution is not only highly sustainable, as it finds an alternative use for a traditionally difficult to sell material, but also one that gives the end result of high-quality precast concrete with a strength of more than 50 KN and a 120-year life.

The presentation also gave an insight into various other areas where the firm has adopted forward-thinking and innovative ideas into its business model, including its focus on only manufacturing and selling its ‘stock’ range of V and Lego interlocking blocks, rather than producing bespoke, made-to-measure products, and its implementation of an online-driven sales model as opposed to employing a more traditional ‘on the road’ sales team.

Owen Batham commented: “The RWM Exhibition is always a fantastic show to attend, and it was such a great honour to actually have the opportunity to present this year. I got to meet a wide range of key stakeholders from across the entire waste management sector, from local authority and government representatives, through to suppliers and businesses working in the industry.”

Organised in partnership with respected professional body the Chartered Institute of Waste Management, the RWM conference is one of the most well-attended and comprehensive annual conferences in the recycling and waste sector, bringing together some of the most influential figures in industry and government, as well as attracting thousands of delegates on each of its three days. Last weekÂ’s event saw a whole host of informative presentations and CPD seminars, along with keynote addresses from prominent figures such as former government advisor Alastair Campbell, renowned particle physicist Professor Brian Cox, and Member of the House of Lords, John Gummer, the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment the UK has ever had.

Founded in 2008 by a team with more than 40 years industry experience, Shropshire-based Elite Precast Concrete Limited is the UK market leader in manufacturing and supplying interlocking and ‘V’ interlocking precast concrete blocks. By adopting an innovative and forward-thinking approach, both in its production processes and sales and marketing strategy, the company’s precast concrete products are now used by a wide range of UK and international clients including local authorities, recycling businesses, and waste management firms, to build durable waste storage bays. The blocks are also heavily used in industries such as outdoor hospitality, transport, and construction, where they are utilised as kentledge – a form of temporary counterweight – to hold scaffolding, security fencing, and marquees in place.