Pro Landscaper Made in Britain Supplement

MADE IN BRITAIN SUPPLEMENT

Fulfilling the need to award those in the industry that would otherwise go unrecognised

Who can enter?

People can either enter themselves, or nominate a colleague, manager or industry contact, whether that be in the supply chain, a subcontractor or from anywhere else.

The nominee must currently work in the sector, and must have been with their current company for at least the last 12 months.

The idea is that this initiative shines a light on those that show true commitment which may have gone unnoticed until now.

Entry deadline: 17 August 2023.

When is the award ceremony?

The awards will be presented at a lunchtime champagne reception at FutureScape, Wednesday 22 November 2023.

WELCOME

04 Interview John Pearce

07 Making the Most of Membership What it means to be a member

THE MARK OF GREAT BRITISH MANUFACTURING

“Since joining the organisation in 2015, visiting our members factories in every corner and county of the UK, I’ve learned a lot about the higher common denominators of success.

Within the vital business sector that converts raw materials, energy, human ingenuity and design into the goods we need for our everyday lives, profit and value-add are about much more than money. All the manufacturers I have met are passionate about their products and care equally as much about the growth of the sector and the pride in letting customers know that their goods are made here, locally.

The economy and the environment are better served by a product made closer to where it’s needed. Making great products and building a more resilient UK supply chain has become

the mantra for so many private and public sector organisations, highlighted by the lack locally made PPE and other essential healthcare products in 2020.

With new economic challenges, interlocking with consumer demands for provably sustainable products and demonstrable social responsibilities, there is good business sense to making sure everyone that interacts with your products knows where they are made and who are the people that are proud to have made them.

Growing a profitable and responsible British manufacturing business is easier with the official Made in Britain mark and the community building spirit of this extraordinary sector.”

John Pearce

13 One and Only UK manufacturer Alvic Plastics

15 Boosting Biodiversity in Britain Bioscapes

17 Decades of Devotion GreenBlue Urban

19 Joint Appeal Talasey Group

TRUST OF THE BRAND HAS TO GROW ALONG WITH THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE USING IT –THOSE TWO THINGS HAVE TO GROW IN PARALLEL”

Made in Britain’s CEO John Pearce shares the organisation’s plans to boost its membership without losing trust in the mark

When John Pearce first joined Made in Britain eight years ago, not long after it was first founded, it was a list of around 400 companies manufacturing in Britain. Fast forward to 2023, it has become a recognised organisation of more than 2,000 members – and it has plans to double this in the next three to five years.

Pearce has undoubtedly been the driving force behind the growth so far. Before taking on the role as CEO, he worked for the government on the

‘GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland’ campaign. Launched ahead of the London Olympic Games in 2011, the campaign sought to encourage people internationally to visit, study in, trade with and invest in, and live and work in the UK, and it is said to have delivered billions of pounds of economic return to the UK.

Once his two-year contract working in Brazil on the campaign came to an end, he somewhat fittingly went straight into working for Made in Britain as its first full-time employee. The board of directors, all of which were volunteers and manufacturers themselves, wanted to galvanise British manufacturing under one mark and bringing on board a CEO was the next step. So, Pearce joined to help turn what was a “really fantastic mark

into a really fantastic organisation –that has been the mission of Made in Britain,” he says.

“What I really value is what I have learnt about successful British businesses. I knew something about manufacturing before I joined, but I didn’t realise we had this critical mass of British manufacturing businesses that are, generally speaking, smaller. These aren’t the car makers; on the whole, these are the companies that are making tables and chairs and lawnmowers – the more you discover about them, the more extraordinary the facts are of their longevity, their resilience and their creativity.

“In construction and landscaping, for instance, there are some really strong, interesting businesses that deserve a bit of promotion. You

“THE

might not have heard of them, so we give them a platform. They might be making something which is hidden, or providing part of critical infrastructure for the country, or practical items and some of them are contributing to the sustainable economy in ways that the general public might not hear about, but they can read about it on our website via the News channel.”

The challenge, Pearce says, is finding manufacturers,

the products which are manufactured entirely here in Britain. To ensure this is the case, there is a “sophisticated online policing system” as well as whistleblowers within the membership and a code of conduct which members need to adhere to. Manufacturers share evidence which Made in Britain can then use to promote the manufacturer and its values.

It’s about trying to put more information into the public’s hands, says Pearce, who adds that the necessity of Made of Britain has changed since it was first founded.

since

“The country was very different; we didn’t have a pandemic, we hadn’t left the European Union, a war wasn’t breaking out in Ukraine – all these geopolitical changes have changed the nature of what the future of travel is, and they’ve probably changed the nature of the businesses that choose to make in this country. Some might have left. We’ve got more PPE makers now than we had at the beginning of the pandemic. So, our website and the news platform and the data that we have on our members is revealing a fundamental day-to-day truth of successful thriving British manufacturing, without the bravado.”

“I don’t know about a full reversal; it’s not a handbrake turn. But I think people are reassessing the ups and downs of globalisation. Major incidents such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are making us question our vulnerabilities and reliance on other countries, such as where our raw materials are coming from.”

Manufacturing in Britain encourages self-sufficiency but also transparency, which Pearce says is becoming a “company asset”. “This is another pattern of the protagonism of social media rubbing off on business. Businesses are agreeing to tell you a lot about themselves and show you what’s going on inside their factory – and that’s a useful social responsibility. They are extremely transparent about what goes on across their premises; they want people to know what they make, how they make it, and where they sell it. That transparency as a business asset is becoming, dare I say it, mainstream – certainly within the world of manufacturers.”

and ones which come in under the Made in Britain regulations. Members may also be selling imported products, but the mark can only be applied to

The geopolitical changes Pearce mentions could impact globalisation, of countries around the world being interconnected through free trade.

Consumers are prepared to pay more for British-made products too, even with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Made in Britain’s Buying British survey. The results of this year’s survey are yet to be announced, but Pearce says consumer’s support of British-made products is consistent each year, “as long as

ALL THESE GEOPOLITICAL CHANGES HAVE CHANGED THE NATURE OF WHAT THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL IS, AND THEYʼVE PROBABLY CHANGED THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESSES THAT CHOOSE TO MAKE IN THIS COUNTRY

they can trust what they are learning about the product.”

This trust is what Made in Britain is aiming to achieve with its mark on products, in the same way consumers trust the Red Tractor logo, for instance, which appears on food and drink products grown ‘responsibly’ in Britain. “It is about building that trust relationship, and that’s what we’re responsible for building every day as an organisation and ensuring we don’t lose it.”

Being entirely owned by its members, rather than being financially supported by the government, is likely to help. “We’re not compromised in any way by other sources of funding,” says Pearce. Consistency of government is a hurdle though, admits Pearce. A published manufacturing strategy is needed, he says – one which has been agreed across the industries and which would have an “enormous benefit”.

“Our members might all have different demands of a government policy on energy or support for energy bills, or circularity measures, but we need a clear line of sight of the direction of travel for manufacturing and for industry. With the pandemic, we didn’t have enough PPE in this country to fulfil the demand, and that told the story of how we need to have a more resilient economy. Part of that

is having products made closer to where they are needed.”

To support those who are doing this, Made in Britain is hoping to double its membership, and its ambition this year is discover growth opportunities, such as gaining a more regional balance. “We’re stronger in England at the moment than we are in Wales and Scotland, so we’re researching growth opportunities there. We know that there are possibly some marketing challenges around ‘Made in Wales’ or ‘Made in Scotland’. We have to make sure it doesn’t prohibit them from declaring themselves as such; Made in Britain is just the envelope that all these businesses are agreeing to be wrapped around in.

“We have a sibling mark in Northern Ireland – a partner brand for Made in Britain, which is something we have worked on to ensure the messaging is right for Northern Irish manufacturers. With the protocol getting closer towards a resolution, that will become really important later in the year.”

The “protocol” refers to the agreement former Prime Minister Boris Johnson made with the EU for trading between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland post-Brexit which introduced a number of checks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is now seeking a new agreement that will

reduce the number of checks and scrap trade restrictions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, arguably creating a great opportunity for Made in Britain to promote its “sibling mark”.

The growth of Made in Britain’s membership has to be “organic”, though, and “the trust of the brand has to grow along with the number of businesses that are using it –those two things have to grow in parallel,” says Pearce.

“At the end of the day, what we really want is to find all

the manufacturers that are surviving and help grow the peer groups so that they can survive and go further together because we’ve got evidence that that’s good for them and good for the health of the economy as well.”

IT IS ABOUT BUILDING THAT TRUST RELATIONSHIP, AND THATʼS WHAT WEʼRE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING EVERY DAY AS AN ORGANISATION AND ENSURING WE DONʼT LOSE IT

MEMBERSHIP MAKING THE MOST OF

John Pearce shares what it means to be a member of the organisation leading the way on British manufacturing growth

The genesis of the Made in Britain initiative, just 10 years ago, was driven by the aims of unifying British manufacturers with an official collective mark, supporting them in achieving more sales, and promoting their stories to help grow the sector overall. Still true to those core values today, with close to 2,000 members, our community of manufacturers is as proud of its standards and values as it is of supporting the British manufacturing sector and the wider UK economy.

“What began as a small cottage business has grown to become the UK’s largest manufacturer of rear roller lawnmowers thanks to our tireless focus on quality, innovation, craftsmanship and engineering is an integral part of our DNA. These are the qualities that our customers look for when buying a mower and the Made in Britain logo confirms this,” says sales and marketing manager at Hayter, Craig Hoare.

“We’ve been in business for 40 years in our spiritual home of rural Shropshire, and always been tremendously proud of our British roots,” adds Tom Clifford, general manager at Westminster Stone. “As a long-term licensee with National Trust, joining Made in Britain was a perfectly natural step for us. It embodies our ethical, low carbon footprint standards and illustrates it to all our buyers and specifiers with an official mark.”

Research conducted by Made in Britain (together with OnePoll) in January, polling 1,000 British business

decision makers and 2,000 consumers across the country, finds that 66% of UK firms and 50% of consumers today recognise the Made in Britain mark. Of those businesses that recognise the mark, 61% say seeing it on a product makes them more inclined to purchase it – while among consumers it is 66% that respond to it in this way.

marketing challenges with other likeminded manufacturing people selling everyday goods stimulates creativity and collaboration.”

consumers it is 66% that

The overarching aim of our organisation is to support our members, the majority of which are SMEs, sell more of what they make in the UK, by helping them to emphasise the British provenance of their products – then to use their stories to spread the message and support the manufacturing sector as a whole.

Henry Beaver, CEO at Beaver Bridges and a non-executive board member of Made in Britain since 2022, explains the spirit of community and collaboration that runs through our community, saying: “Joining Made in Britain feels almost like finding a family I never knew I had. It’s a really useful business network with hundreds of likeminded people around the UK, making everything you can possibly imagine, in every sector of manufacturing.”

“What I love most is the product and people diversity we see at the membership welcome meetings.” says Made in Britain COO Ilika Copeland.

“With half our members making trade or industrial products, they often bring a show-and-tell item along that many people wouldn’t be able to identify or even recognise at all. Sharing their

Members complete a comprehensive listing for their member profiles on the Made in Britain website and can publish up to 25 pages in our online Product Directory and as many news items as they wish. The ringfenced data environment assures to all visitors to our site that they are searching only within the world of British manufactured products made by the members of Made in Britain.

British manufacturers face a lot of challenges, but being a part of our community of members is proven

to make it easier for members to get their message out to the business community and the public at large, which drives sales. Our renowned, trusted mark signposts people towards the choices that help them find and purchase products made closer to where they’re needed – closer to home – Made in Britain.

THE OVERARCHING AIM OF OUR ORGANISATION IS TO SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE SMES, SELL MORE OF WHAT THEY MAKE IN THE UK

Though Caribbean Blinds marks its seventh year as a Made in Britain member in 2023, its dedication to British-made products has existed ever since the external shading specialist was formed in 1987. For managing director Stuart Dantzic, the positives are endless.

“We’ve always manufactured our products here in the UK,” he says. “It’s a reassurance for anyone — be it the trade purchaser, landscaper or end user — of premium quality. It gives us control of the entire

SHELTER FROM THE STORM

process, from manufacturing and quality control to client communication and transportation.”

“It gives us the flexibility and adaptability to do more unique things because we don’t have to buy something that’s been made to a standard specification. The entire process is totally seamless. If something does go wrong, it’s made here. There’s no risk of something being made abroad and then struggling to have it repaired.

“There’s also a pride element,” he adds. “Our team have created our products from raw materials and made something that enhances lifestyles, whether that’s giving year round use of outdoor spaces or preventing buildings from overheating. Heat waves are becoming an increasingly common issue, so we’re proud to be dedicated to external shading.”

Due a considerably faster lead time, Caribbean Blinds can turn products around at lightning speed. “We have a manufacture lead time of two weeks, even on our pergolas,” says Dantzic. “If I look at our closest

Pro Landscaper catches up with Caribbean Blinds managing director Stuart Dantzic as he talks premium quality, enhancing lifestyles and navigating Brexit and Covid-19

competitor, it takes 12 weeks. We’re taking away the barriers from buying and selling our products.”

Second generation

Having purchased Caribbean Blinds from his parents in late-2016, Dantzic, dissatisfied with the company’s own custom ‘Made in Britain’ logo,

better than being able to employ more and more people every year and seeing how proud they are of what they achieve.”

Made in Britain membership skyrocketed throughout the pandemic, too. “The logo is instantly recognisable, and it will be recognised more than ever now. It screams premium,” Dantzic says.

A perfect storm

overall positive for the business. The economic circumstances catapulted Made in Britain five or ten years ahead of where it probably would be.”

began to search for alternative designs. “We’ve always been marketing the fact that our products are made here,” he says. “Over the pandemic, it became even more prevalent. It’s accelerated people’s desire for UK-made products.

“Moving into 2017, I Googled for logo ideas and stumbled upon Made in Britain. Once I read what they were about, it didn’t take long for me to sign up. Now, the stamp is used on all in print and digital marketing, even our uniform and of course the end product itself.”

Aside from the look and feel of a “crisp, certified” logo, Dantzic says Caribbean Blinds easily aligned with the organisation. “They champion their members, host discussion panels, lobby government for change and support the British economy,” he says. “What more could you ask for? From our perspective, there’s nothing

Though there are few who can look back at Brexit and Covid-19 with any real enthusiasm, Caribbean Blinds was gifted what Dantzic saw as a perfect storm. “Both played into our hands, to be honest,” he explains. “Brexit for obvious reasons, and then the pandemic delivered a ‘holiday at home’ and home improvement drive. Even now, despite people tightening their purse strings due to the cost-of-living crisis, the pandemic highlighted the value of your own space, and people still want to invest in theirs.

“Of course, we still had challenges in terms of changes in regulations and social distancing, but it’s been an

So, with that storm comfortably navigated, how does 2023 look for Caribbean Blinds? “Fantastic. Sensational,” smiles Dantzic. “We want to build on all the progress we’ve made in the past three years. We’re fully aware that while the impacts of Brexit, Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis continue, the direct impact on our business is fading very quickly.”

As part of that drive, Caribbean Blinds has extended its factory in Sudbury, Suffolk. Not only has this allowed the company to hold more stock so less price volatility but it will through more production capacity allow them to drive down lead times even further. “We’re an ambitious company with a solid foundation and values. Our overarching vision is to become the most desirable brand in external shading. We want to be the Rolls Royce of the external shading market – the brand that people aspire to have.”

THEREʼS NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING ABLE TO EMPLOY MORE AND MORE PEOPLE EVERY YEAR AND SEEING HOW PROUD THEY ARE OF WHAT THEY ACHIEVE

ALVIC PLASTICS ONE AND ONLY

As the only capped composite manufacturer in the UK, Alvic Plastics has a unique offering.

Composite decking is arguably a saturated market, with plenty of suppliers claiming to be the best, the most sustainable or the most competitively priced. But only one can say it is the largest wood composite manufacturer in the UK, says Al Ghattaura, chief executive officer of Alvic Plastics, which Ghattaura adds is also the only capped composite manufacturer in the UK.

Founded in 2016, Alvic Plastics’ unique selling point is manufacturing its products at its facility in the Midlands, and it proudly displays

manufacturing abroad a while ago, but it’s starting to come back because stockists don’t necessarily want to stack high and buy in bulk. Then there’s the sustainability of these containers coming over and the supply chain issues. We are based in the UK, we manufacture in the UK, we offer UK warranties – it’s all in the UK, supporting the local economy and the local workforce.”

As a result, Alvic Plastics can be more reactive to trend changes and offer limited stock over bulk buys. Stockists can purchase smaller amounts of one colour, and when that falls out of fashion, they can easily stock another which has risen in popularity without trying to shift other products at a reduced price.

its Made in Britain badge across its website and on its products – there are even videos of the manufacturing facility and processes on the website to emphasise the origin of the products.

“UK consumers are being misled by competitors steering around the truth, saying they have been ‘developed’ in the UK instead of saying they are manufactured here. Three years down the line, when they find out that product is no good, they think they have purchased a UKproduced product, but they haven’t. These cheaper, imported products are putting down our industry and giving composite products a bad name. “Companies took all their

Ghattaura has extensive experience in the composite decking industry, both in the UK and abroad. When he launched Alvic Plastics, he started with just a decking product, focusing on quality. The company now stocks a range of composite products, including fencing and cladding which were both launched last year. They’ve proven popular too. The brand exhibited at landscaping trade event FutureScape last year, with visitor feedback praising the products themselves as well the Made in Britain trademark. “Landscapers were saying that they’d had so many problems with third party products and with companies who are there one day and gone the next, so they are relieved and excited on our behalf that we’re here and that we can support them.”

Alvic Plastics is now looking to expand its range by providing bespoke sizes for its decking and fence boards. “Normally, the largest decking board in the UK is 4.8m, but we’ll be able to offer up to six metres on a project-byproject basis. We recently joined the NBS Source product library to reach architects too and we’ll be offering CPD with RIBA.

“So, our main focus is to serve our customers by giving them the best quality products, the best lead times, limited stock, and all the merchandising, support and training they need to best capture the market.” And all as a result of manufacturing in Britain.

WE ARE BASED IN THE UK, WE MANUFACTURE IN THE UK, WE OFFER UK WARRANTIES –ITʼS ALL IN THE UK, SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE LOCAL WORKFORCE

BIOSCAPES BOOSTING BIODIVERSITY IN BRITAIN

BioScapes’ range is designed to attract and support wildlife with as a low a carbon footprint as possible

Relocating its headquarters to a rural location around four years ago and the desire to support wildlife on the site provided a catalyst to develop Bioscapes. With a strong culture of innovation and the desire to diversify the business outside of turf and topsoil, our goal was to add a complementary brand with strong green and sustainability credentials, so launching products focusing on biodiversity and promoting wildlife habitats seemed like the perfect fit.

Launched just over a year ago, BioScapes is the newest of three brands under the Rolawn Group (alongside Rolawn itself and Hallstone). After

create an ecosystem within each unit, so there’s interaction between all of the various species as well.”

The price of wood may be cheaper abroad, but Brewster says BioScapes feels strongly about keeping its components sourced from Britain. “The more companies who can commit to it, and put their money where their mouth is, the better – the stronger it will be for producers in Britain.”

three years of product development, testing materials and designs, BioScapes now offers a range of products suitable for domestic gardens through to commercial situations –the WildPod Mini™, the WildPod®, the NatureArk® and the BioCube®.

“Put simply, they are effectively planters with built-in wildlife habitats to attract and support a wide range of species, everything from microorganisms and pollinating insects through to small mammals and amphibians,” explains marketing director Ken Brewster. “You effectively

units into new build sites as a way to

It’s arguably convenient timing to launch such a product range too, with Biodiversity Net Gain coming into effect in November. “One of the key reasons that we’ve been successful so far is companies looking ahead to it becoming a requirement. We have some of the biggest housebuilders on board and they’re putting these units into new build sites as a way to help achieve that minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain requirement.”

Gaining the Made in Britain mark is another way to promote the products to the market, but producing in Britain is nothing new to Rolawn. Its turf and topsoil are all grown and sourced locally and now its BioScapes products are all assembled at its site in Seaton Ross near York. “A lot of consumers still do value British manufacturing and British production. It’s perhaps not as strong as it was 30 years ago or so; we’re very much a global economy these days. But it means a lot to many people and with Brexit there was perhaps a lift in those views too, in being proud of what we can produce here in Britain.”

It means shorter supply chains too, says Brewster. “That was one of the exposures that the pandemic brought into focus. A lot of businesses have very extended supply chains, and some right the way across the world – think back to the carnage of all the ships waiting to get through the Suez Canal.”

This year, BioScapes will be focusing on further expanding its reach within the B2B sector. It already has a strong partnership with designer outlet owner MacArthurGlen and it will be exploring more ways for its products to make a difference to the biodiversity of sites across the UK. “BioScapes’ footprint is modest, the cost we think is modest, but the effect is significant.”

BIOSCAPESʼS FOOTPRINT IS MODEST, THE COST WE THINK IS MODEST, BUT THE EFFECT IS SIGNIFICANT

GREENBLUE URBAN DECADES OF DEVOTION

GreenBlue Urban has been manufacturing in Britain for the last 30 years

Last year, GreenBlue Urban celebrated its 30th anniversary –that’s three decades of British manufacturing, which the company continues to invest in having recently purchased its own manufacturing facility in 2021, the same one which has been making its products for years.

Considering the Made in Britain organisation has been around for nearly 10 years itself, it might be surprising that GreenBlue Urban only began the application process to become a member last December. Within a month, its member status had been awarded.

“We should have applied for it sooner,” says head of marketing Louise Page.

“The Made in Britain community is certainly growing; we are incredibly pleased to make it clearer to specifiers and buyers that we manufacture to the highest of standards with an official mark of recognition.”

Applying for the mark seemed to fit with the purchase of the manufacturing facility, explains Page. “It seemed fitting that we resonate the brand as the UK market leader. Customers can rest reassured that

they are purchasing quality products, in stock with short lead times. With the landscaping industry still poised to see what spring will bring, it is important that we are able to react quickly to meet our customers’ needs.”

The mark applies to the majority of GreenBlue Urban’s vast product range, including its ArborSystem® tree planting products such as soil cells, irrigation, root management, tree grilles and guards; its SuDS rain gardens and attenuation solutions; and even its newest product, ReLuminate, the off-grid lighting solution.

Manufacturing these products in Britain offers a wealth of benefits too, a key one of which is having access to a highly educated and skilled workforce, says Page. “Britain is known for its expertise in engineering and technology, translating into highquality products.”

Another benefit is that Britain has a stable business environment with legal regulatory frameworks. “Clients should care about the ethical and environmental considerations associated with manufacturing; regulations ensure workers are treated fairly and production processes are sustainable. British-made products are often associated with higher levels of quality, safety, and reputation.”

Cost can be a challenge though, admits Page. “Factors such as high wages, energy, and raw material costs – these can often make it difficult to compete with overseas manufacturers where production is lower.”

The UK’s infrastructure can also present challenges, says Page. “In some areas, transport links and infrastructure are not as developed

as they should be, albeit a key focus currently; also rising costs in fuel are all challenges in moving materials and product around the country. There has obviously been the uncertainty around Brexit and other political and economic factors, often making it difficult for companies to plan and make long-term investments.

“GreenBlue has been truly fortunate in terms of British supply of raw materials, although rising fuel, and energy have had a knock-on effect to our pricing. Thankfully, our customers have been very understanding. Maintaining stock levels for immediate dispatch is our USP and we are proud

to support our customers to create healthier urban spaces in harmony with nature.”

BRITAIN IS KNOWN FOR ITS EXPERTISE IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, TRANSLATING INTO HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS

JOINTING COMPOUND

An easy to apply, all weather Jointing Compound

FOR EACH TUB OF PAVETUF JOINTING COMPOUND SOLD, 5P GOES TO BAND OF BUILDERS CHARITY!

TALASEY GROUP JOINT APPEAL

Manufacturing its Pavetuf Jointing Compound in Yorkshire appeals to British and American customers alike

Since it was first founded as Natural Paving Products Ltd nearly 20 years ago, Talasey Group has continued to strengthen its presence in the UK landscaping industry. As Natural Paving, it started selling natural stone products, but as its range expanded beyond this, it rebranded in 2018 and now has five brands under the umbrella of the Talasey Group, along with its own training academy.

Scunthorpe around two years ago, but we retained our distribution centre in Doncaster. We invested into the site and expanded it to the point where we were able to have the space to produce our own jointing compound,” explains marketing director Rebecca Hughes.

“As we make it ourselves, we can make it more economically. We’re not paying third parties, so we can produce it at better rates, and we can put those cost savings out into the market as well and be more competitive.”

As well as Natural Paving, there’s Vitripiazza, which offers vitrified porcelain paving, walling, cladding, and Luxigraze, with installation and maintenance accessories. Its newest brand Piranha has a range of composite products from decking to cladding and fencing, while Pavetuf stocks products from risers to priming slurries, grouts, cleaners and sealants for different types of landscaping materials.

The majority of its products are imported from overseas, but there is an exception to this within the Pavetuf range, with its jointing compound proudly displaying the Made in Britain trustmark. As one of Pavetuf’s biggest sellers, the ready mixed jointing compound is suitable for porcelain and stone paving and is available in three different colours – black, buff and grey.

It is produced at the company’s distribution centre in Yorkshire. “We moved our offices from Doncaster to

Sand, the main ingredient, is stored in silos at the site in Doncaster. It is mixed with resin in batches of 1,000kg through an automated process. Once mixed, it goes to a bagging plant where it is sealed in foil bags before being manually placed into recycled and recyclable buckets. On passing the quality control check, the jointing compound is available for distribution just five days after it has been produced, with a two-year shelf life. Up to 40t of Pavetuf’s Jointing Compound can be produced each day and 15,000 buckets can be held in stock at any one time.

When Talasey Group first started producing its jointing compound, the sand was imported from another country. It then found a UK source and switched to creating a product entirely in and from the UK, which Hughes say is important for Talasey Group as a British company.

“We want to support locally where we can, and it’s nice to have a Made in Britain stamp on our jointing compound product. We are British so we want to do what we can for our economy too.”

It’s beneficial for markets further afield too. Talasey exports its jointing compound to North America, where its sister company Natural Paving Products USA is based. “Having the Made in Britain stamp gives it a premium feel as well as credibility and kudos. The American market loves it.”

As a company which imports the majority of its products, it’s in a prime position to see the benefits of manufacturing in Britain. “With imports, there are shipping rates to consider and the availability of containers. Being able to manufacture products down the road cuts all that out.”

Made in Britain is therefore not only a source of pride for the Talasey Group, but the trustmark has numerous benefits for the company.

WEʼRE NOT PAYING THIRD PARTIES, SO WE CAN PRODUCE IT AT BETTER RATES, AND WE CAN PUT THOSE COST SAVINGS OUT INTO THE MARKET