Construction starts on IKO's insulation factory at Alconbury Weald
- 16.03.2017
IKO PLC, global leader in roofing, waterproofing and insulation products, held a ‘Spade in the Ground’ event on Friday 10th March to mark the start of construction of its 470,000ft2 insulation factory at the Alconbury Enterprise Campus.
The new factory is a real ‘good news’ story for the UK’s energy savings, business and manufacturing. It represents a £30 million investment by UK manufacturer IKO PLC and will create up to 160 jobs in the area.
Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, together with District Councillors Robin Howe and Roger Harrison, and the Chair of Stukeleys Parish Council Karl Gasson attended the event.
“I’m delighted to mark the start of construction of IKO’s new insulation factory with an event which involves key members of the local community,” says Andy Williamson, IKO UK Group Managing Director. “IKO is already employing people from the surrounding area and the plant, once operational, will create an additional 160 jobs. The development of this factory is a great example of UK manufacturing.”
Tim Leathes, Development Director for Urban&Civic, says: "IKO is a great addition to the growing community of Alconbury Weald, and we are pleased this incredible location can provide their first UK insulation manufacturing base. We will continue to work with the IKO team to support their commitment to bringing low carbon construction materials into the UK market. This ground-breaking ceremony marks the largest footprint-building within the Campus to date.”
When fully operational, the IKO factory will produce insulation for around 40,000 homes a year in the UK. This will have a major impact on helping the Government achieve the Climate Change Act’s current target to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. By manufacturing insulation boards in the UK, the factory will also help reduce the environmental impact and cost of importing materials from abroad.
Construction of the factory is due for completion in September 2017 and its official opening is planned for March 2018.
Image shows (l-r) Robin Butler (Urban&Civic MD), Jonathan Djanogly (MP, Huntingdon), Andy Williamson (IKO PLC MD), Cllr Roger Harrison (Huntingdonshire District Councillor), Cllr Robin Howe (Executive Leader, Huntingdonshire District Council), Karl Gasson (Chairman, Stukeleys Parish Council)
Background information
IKO’s brands have been global leaders in roofing, waterproofing and insulation products for over 100 years. IKO UK Group – comprising IKO PLC and IKO Polymeric - was established in 2000 and has grown rapidly, both organically and through the successful acquisition and integration of well-known, reputable brands including Ruberoid, Permanite, Marley Waterproofing, Hyload, and more recently, Pure Asphalt.
IKO PLC continues to grow in traditional roofing and waterproofing and a number of very different markets including PIR insulation; damp proofing and tanking; flashing; roof shingles; liquid protection for roofs, floors and walls, and mastic asphalt solutions for highways and civil engineering projects.
IKO Polymeric is the only UK-based single ply manufacturer and offers a wide range of roofing systems (including pre-fabricated membranes) that use the latest polymer technology, insulation and adhesives.
IKO UK Group has four manufacturing plants in the UK, based in Wigan, Chesterfield, Matlock and Bolton. IKO has achieved the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards for quality and environmental management and BES 6001 for responsible sourcing of construction products for three of its plants, with the fourth to follow suit. A fifth plant, at the Alconbury Weald development, is being built this year.
IKO continues to invest in new products, manufacturing facilities, customer services, and staff and customer training to ‘set the standard’ in every field. The company is a leading voice on topical issues and is the Expert for Roofing for the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI).