Russell Roof Tiles Completes Electric Forklift Transition with £300,000 Investment

Leading concrete roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles has invested just under £300,000 in four new electric forklift trucks. This completes the transition to a fully electric forklift fleet at its state-of-the-art Burton on Trent production unit.

The latest delivery replaces its last remaining four diesel forklifts at the company's Nicolson Way site and marks an important milestone in its Environmental Improvement Plan to move away from fossil fuels and reduce its operational carbon footprint.

Supplied by longstanding partner Lansing Linde, the new trucks will also support continued manufacturing growth for the firm. Two smaller Linde 'E' range units will work inside the new factory, supporting the manufacture of the company's innovative Bute3® tile. Two 'X' range trucks will support increased workloads following the £20m+ investment in manufacturing at the site.

Bruce Laidlaw, Operations Director at Russell Roof Tiles, commented: "This latest investment demonstrates our continued dedication to utilising more sustainable technology. This builds on our electric forklift programme, which began in 2023 with almost £1 million invested in Linde 'X' range trucks across our two Burton and Lochmaben operations in Scotland."

With all forklifts at the Burton tile factory now electric, the manufacturer is working to replace its one remaining diesel piece of equipment with an electric alternative. Subject to securing suitable equipment, this could make all mobile plant at the site 100% electric by the end of 2026.

Russell Roof Tiles EV transition forms part of an environmental improvement strategy rolled out across the company's sites, supporting its ambition to achieve Net Zero by 2040 and has been investing in reducing its carbon footprint for over 10 years.

The firm's environmental strategy includes working to source materials locally; it was also the first British roof tile manufacturer to have achieved an "Excellent" rating for responsible supplier sourcing accreditation BES6001. Russell Roof Tiles has also signed up to the SME Climate Hub, which is a government initiative aimed at getting SMEs in the UK on the path to Net Zero. The company has also achieved gold status with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, a multi-award-winning initiative that represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains.

Investing in the future

The Linde electric forklifts are an investment in the future of Russell Roof Tiles.

Alongside removing diesel exhaust emissions at the point of use, the latest trucks incorporate features designed to improve site safety, visibility and operator comfort. They are equipped with cutting-edge safety features, enhancing the wellbeing of its employees and ensuring a safe working environment. The new fleet will offer operators comfort and ease of use, leading to improved efficiency and productivity.

The new 'X' range yard trucks offer faster battery charging and are equipped with Linde's 'BlueSpot' pedestrian warning system, reversing alarms, additional front and rear lighting, and panoramic mirrors. Three CCTV cameras record movements and driver behaviour, while speed limiters help ensure compliance with site safety rules. The emissions-free electric forklifts are renowned for their exceptional performance, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly design.

The latest purchase continues a relationship between Russell Roof Tiles and Lansing Linde spanning more than 30 years. Chris Tonge of Linde added, "It has been a pleasure to work with Russell Roof Tiles to specify the four new trucks, and work alongside Bruce and the team on their journey of decarbonisation."

This is the latest innovation from Russell Roof Tiles, following the launch of revolutionary triple tile, Bute3®, which is now in full production at its new multimillion pound state of the art automated line. Using modern curing technology, the firm utilises solar PV to help power the manufacturing plant, making for a more efficient manufacturing process. Bute3® combines the look of three traditional plain tiles into a single interlocking unit - delivering a traditional aesthetic while significantly speeding up installation.

www.russellrooftiles.com

ENDS

Russell Roof Tiles designs and manufactures a growing range of innovative concrete roof tiles and associated roofing products at three sites in the UK, which are used on residential and commercial developments across the country. Focused on delivering high-quality, durable, and sustainable solutions. The company has an important role to play in supporting the UK's transition to Net Zero. As part of this commitment, Russell Roof Tiles is aiming to become a Net Zero company by 2040 - 10 years earlier than Government targets.