Category Archives: SIG Roofing News

SIG Roofing celebrates ‘Homes for the Homeless’ completion

An innovative and ground-breaking community enterprise scheme to create sustainable housing for the homeless community has been officially launched in Cambridgeshire.

The initiative, which has been supported by SIG Roofing, was introduced as part of a new ‘Home First’ project, involving Allia Future Business Centre, Jimmy’s night shelter, the parish of Holy Cross Cambridge and New Meaning – a not-for-profit social enterprise which developed the structures.

New Meaning has delivered a total of six modular homes to the county, where they will be available to rent for people who are currently or have previously been homeless.

The homes were officially unveiled on Friday, 12th June, with the first residents expected to move in later this summer. SIG Roofing supported the project by providing heavily discounted roofing materials from its nearby branch.

Speaking at the project’s launch, Karen Lilley, SIG Roofing St Ives’ branch manager, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to supply roofing materials to such a fantastic development. Homelessness is a sadly growing issue across the UK, so the work carried out by New Meaning can make a real positive difference to a person’s life.

“As our products were being applied to modular homes, we recommended the use of FIX-R EPDM, as it delivers flexibility, weather resistance and is highly sustainable.

“The hope is that the development will remain in place for a significant amount of time, making positive change to as many lives as possible, so it was important for us to supply a product which guarantees durability and longevity – key attributes FIX-R EPDM is recognised for.

John Evans, Trustee Director at New Meaning, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have officially opened the ‘Homes for the Homeless’ project, and hope that the project offers a little light in a time of great uncertainty. I’d like to extend my personal thanks to SIG Roofing for their support throughout the project, and to Karen in particular for her advice and guidance on the right products for the development.”

Philip Johns, appointed SIG UK Managing Director

Leading European supplier of specialist building materials SIG has appointed Philip Johns as SIG UK Managing Director.

Responsible for overseeing the UK operation which includes SIG Distribution and SIG Exteriors, Johns previously worked at SIG for over 28 years in a number of senior leadership roles holding the position of Managing Director for SIG UK Exteriors before his move in 2014 where he became the CEO for MKM Building Suppliers. He re-joins SIG from his most recent position as Chief Commercial Officer with IBMG Group.

Commenting on his appointment he said “I am delighted to be returning to SIG after 5 years. The majority of my career has been spent within the Group in various roles and I have a strong allegiance for the organisation and the values it stands for. I join in challenging times for the industry, but I look forward to the challenge as we prepare to emerge stronger, with our primary focus on our customers.”

SIG Roofing shortlisted for the inaugural Homebuilding & Renovating Awards

SIG Roofing, The UK’s leading roofing merchants, has been shortlisted in the “Best Roofing Supplier” category in the inaugural Homebuilding & Renovating Awards.

Taking place on the 27th of March, the event is being held at the NEC, Birmingham. The winners will be announced at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

SIG Roofing were announced as finalists in January, seeing off competitors to become one of six companies up for the award. The shortlist was determined by a panel of industry experts, ensuring all six candidates will make worthy winners.

The Award winners will be decided by a public vote in which contractors, industry specialists and those with a keen interest within the industry will have their say, choosing their favourite brands. People will be able to vote until 28th February at which point voting closes for the winners to be announced at the ceremony, almost a month later.

Marketing Manager of SIG Roofing, Richard Kendrick said “It’s great being shortlisted for awards like this. Our ongoing branch refurbishment programme, which has involved heavy investment in customer service and the look and feel of the branches, has greatly benefitted our customers. It seems we are achieving the right mix of product quality, pricing and service to satisfy customers.”

Click here to vote for the winners in the first Homebuilding & Renovating awards. Voting closes on 28th February 2020.

SIG Roofing helps ‘Homes for the Homeless’ project

Homeless people in a Cambridge suburb are being provided with a roof over their heads, with a little help from SIG Roofing.

A total of six modular homes are being built off-site by social enterprise New Meaning as part of a ‘Home First’ project, to be installed at Christ the Redeemer Church in Barnwell. They will be offered for rent to people who are homeless or have been homeless.

SIG Roofing’s branch in St Ives, Cambridge, is supporting the project by providing roofing materials at a favourable discount. Branch manager Karen Lilley also recommended a local roofer to advise the not-for-profit organisation on its installation.

Karen said: “Being homeless is stressful at any time but particularly in the chilly temperatures of winter. When New Meaning asked if we could help, we had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’.

“We recommended FIX-R EPDM for the flat roofs of the modular buildings as it is a sustainable and long lasting roofing solution that brings watertight performance, durability and dependability ensuring the roofs will be protected whatever the weather and, with training, they could do the installation themselves.

“As with similar projects elsewhere, part of the organisation’s ethos is to develop vocational skills of the homeless. So, I was happy to recommend a local roofer who has been helping train the organisation’s workers, who in turn have trained young former-homeless adults from the YMCA.”

John Evans, Trustee Director of New Meaning, said: “We are hugely grateful to Karen and SIG Roofing for the excellent discount and for her tremendous customer service. Her advice has been invaluable to us.”

The ‘Home First’ project is a joint initiative involving New Meaning, Holy Cross parish, which is home to the Christ the Redeemer church, Allia Future Business Centre and Jimmy’s night shelter.

The buildings will be ready for occupation from February.

SIG Roofing celebrates major branch refurbishment programme

SIG Roofing is modernising its branches across the UK, following an exciting major investment in its UK network, offering roofers improved facilities and an increased product offering.

The series of refurbishments, taking place across the remainder of this year, will see a total of 17 branches transformed in 2019 and a further seven into 2020. Roofers will benefit from more availability on leading products in stores, such as everyday essentials as well as improved services in branch.

In store, a refreshed design will offer an organised layout, allowing roofers to find what they need quickly and efficiently allowing more time to be spent on the job with the reassurance they can get the products they need when they need them.

What’s more, branches will offer new and innovative products, on top of their extensive range, to provide roofers with even more diversity in their offering, and to make the time in branch that bit more enjoyable there will a dedicated space to serve refreshments to maximise comfort.

Stuart Base, marketing director for SIG Roofing, commented: “We’re hugely excited to offer our customers new and improved facilities ensuring an excelling in-branch experience. We have taken customer feedback on board and will deliver services that really matter to them.
“We are confident that these refurbishments will enable us to be even more efficient, and take our offering to the next level.”

The first phase of refurbishments launch this month, encompassing branches in Woking, Leatherhead, Bristol Barton Hill, Eastbourne, Milford and Tunbridge Wells.

For more information about SIG Roofing, please follow @sigroofing on twitter / SIG Roofing on LinkedIn.

SIG Roofing pledges support to RoofCert

A four-year accreditation scheme that is set to transform the industry has received backing from the UK’s leader in roofing supplies.

RoofCert, which is jointly funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), is seeking to establish a formal standard for roofing operatives that will be recognised by consumers and companies across the construction supply chain.

SIG Roofing is supporting the CITB and NFRC in their mission to provide workers within the industry with a much-needed boost. RoofCert’s focus will be on capturing the current qualifications and experience in the workforce, together with a five-point plan looking at upskilling where required; attracting new talent; improving efficiency; encouraging the use of new technology; and improving roofing’s image.

The programme’s objective will be to achieve an initial 5,000 accredited roofing installers by completion in 2021.

Stuart Base, marketing director for SIG Roofing, commented: “We know our customers are facing many challenges across the board such as an ageing workforce through to lack of available training. RoofCert will help to bridge those gaps and will provide a certification delivering opportunities for career progression and continued development.”

Registration for installers is to launch in 2019 and is available for individual operatives. SIG Roofing joins companies across the supply chain, trade federations and training providers to pledge its support to RoofCert.

Damien Carr, content and publications manager, added: “The RoofCERT accreditation programme could be a game-changer for the roofing industry because individual roofing installers will now have the means to gain essential skills, increase their technical knowledge and demonstrate their competence to the client.

“This is about professionalising roofing and to do that we need to develop accreditation collaboratively, with all of the industry coming together to support the principles of professionalism. That is why the support of SIG Roofing and other suppliers is so important.”

For further information on RoofCert, please visit www.nfrc.co.uk/roofcert.

SIG UK Exteriors to steer growth with key executive appointment

SIG UK Exteriors – the leading specialist supplier of products, expertise and support across the roofing, roofline, windows and drainage markets – has announced the appointment of Andrew Wakelin as Managing Director.

Taking the helm with immediate effect, Andrew’s appointment serves to further strengthen the company’s leadership team and expertise across the building and construction markets.

Having held a leading position within SIG since first joining in 2007 as Commercial Director for the Building Plastics division, Andrew went on to fulfil the role of Commercial Director for SIG UK Exteriors for the last six years.

In addition, Andrew brings a wealth of executive experience outside of SIG to his new role having held various Managing Director positions in building and construction product businesses throughout his career.

Drawing on his passion for customer service, Andrew’s new role will focus on delivering customer-oriented solutions and new propositions that will be instrumental in driving growth for the businesses that make up SIG’s UK Exteriors division.

Commenting on his appointment, Robert Barclay, Managing Director SIG UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to have Andrew in this key position. He played a pivotal role in our successful rebranding mission last year that saw SIG Roofing & Roofline and SIG Specialist Glazing Products merge to become SIG UK Exteriors. We are confident that he will be further instrumental in broadening our footprint in the roofing and building plastics market, by continuingtounify our brands with a complete customer proposition.”

Andrew said: “Our rebrand was driven by the desire to unite a number of our trading brands to offer customers a cohesive approach to supply and support, and I intend for this mission to continue. With an enviable reputation and proven reliability of service, our goal is to continue creating confidence in roofing and building plastics by engaging with our customers at all times, and providing a first class service.

“Over the last year, we have created great momentum, and with this set to continue, I am very excited by the opportunities that lie ahead,” concluded Andrew.