Two industry leaders are joining forces to strengthen collaboration between manufacturers, installers and developers, helping to raise standards across housebuilding.
Manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is supporting one of the largest residential developers in the UK, Taylor Wimpey, as they work to improve roofing quality, installation consistency and technical understanding across live housing developments.
Taylor Wimpey’s West London team recently facilitated a supplier engagement session with Russell Roof Tiles, bringing together the housebuilder’s quality managers, site teams, roofing contractors and the manufacturer’s technical team. The session was designed to help ensure roofing systems are installed in line with the agreed specification and that developers receive the complete manufacturer’s system they have procured. During the latest three-hour session, Russell Roof Tiles representatives delivered a presentation covering the manufacturer’s product range, followed by a question-and-answer session and a detailed inspection of roofing work taking place on site. On-site tour of the development enabled all parties to review workmanship, confirm that the correct products and components had been used and discuss technical or installation queries directly. Practical guidance and the main areas of discussion focused on areas that frequently require close attention during roofing installation, including ridges and hips, valleys, dormers, roof penetrations, eaves and verges. The roofing contractor was able to provide feedback on Russell Roof Tiles’ products and raise common installation questions directly, whilst Taylor Wimpey’s quality team worked with both parties to ensure the intended specification was being maintained.
Darcy Kaye MEng ACABE, Quality Manager at Taylor Wimpey West London, said: “Lately, Taylor Wimpey West London has placed a strong focus on roof coverings and invited Russell Roof Tiles to deliver several Supplier Engagement Sessions.
“We have found these sessions to be valuable, providing an opportunity to review common issues and discuss best practice installation details with both site teams and subcontractors.
“The sessions have also encouraged collaborative discussions around improving quality, consistency, and efficiency on site. In addition, they have allowed us to provide feedback on common site queries and strengthen our working relationship with Russell Roof Tiles, ensuring we have a clear point of contact for technical support when needed.”
The approach places the manufacturer at the heart of the quality process from the beginning of a development, rather than relying solely on inspections once installation has been completed. It also gives site-based teams and subcontractors direct access to product specialists, allowing technical questions to be resolved quickly and helping reduce the risk of incorrect components, installation inconsistencies or departures from the original roofing specification.
James Pendleton, Regional Sales Director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “A roof performs at its best when it is treated as a complete whole system solution, with the specified tiles, accessories and installation all working seamlessly together.
“Taylor Wimpey has been extremely proactive in bringing together the manufacturer, contractor and quality team at site level. That creates an open environment where everyone can ask questions, review workmanship and address potential issues before they become problems.
“These sessions are valuable for us too. Feedback from the professionals installing and managing our products helps us understand the questions arising on live developments and ensures that our technical support remains practical, relevant and focused on the needs of site teams.”
Following the success of the latest session, Russell Roof Tiles has already been invited to visit another Taylor Wimpey development and repeat the process and hopes to extend the engagement session to its broader customer base,
James added: “This type of engagement demonstrates what can be achieved when the housebuilder, contractor and manufacturer are aligned from the outset. It supports better workmanship, protects the specification and ultimately helps deliver higher-quality homes.”
Russell Roof Tiles manufactures a comprehensive range of concrete roofing products and accessories for the UK housebuilding sector, supported by technical guidance, specification advice and on-site assistance.
The company is renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and investment in award-winning solutions. Combining market-leading product design with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, Russell Roof Tiles has redefined what is possible in tile production, delivering improvements in productivity, sustainability, and customer value.
