Investing in the future of UK manufacturing with the new Etex plasterboard factory

Leading lightweight construction manufacturer Etex is set to double the Bristol-based production capacity for its Siniat brand upon the opening of its plasterboard factory expansion, which comes at a time when material shortages continue to put pressure on the supply chain

We recently spoke to Neil Shaw, UK country manager at Etex’s Building Performance Division about the new plasterboard factory and what it means for the wider sector, as well as the business and its teammates.

“I am immensely proud of Etex” says Neil.

“The UK market for plasterboard is strong and underlying growth continues, making it very attractive, but it is undersupplied.

“In previous years, we have relied on imports to supplement local production. But, as the UK is a key market for the Etex brands, it made sense to invest in the future and expand our manufacturing facility to support the industry’s underlying growth at a time when the UK market needs are high.

“The state-of-the-art facility will remove our reliance on plasterboard imports and will allow us to plan our production schedules more efficiently, which will mean shorter lead times and greater customer service. From the Bristol location, we can easily transport throughout the UK, remain close to our existing plant and team in Bristol, and, most significantly, as it’s next to the port, it is ideal for importing raw materials needed for production. By shipping directly into the facility from the port, we will continue an efficient supply chain and minimise environmental impacts, helping towards our ambitious sustainability targets.”

Etex has designed the plasterboard factory expansion with sustainability at its core

“A key feature of the new facility was the inclusion of rainwater harvesting, this will have an immediate and significant impact on the environment and will allow us to reduce our consumption of piped water by reusing the natural water that comes on to the site,” Neil says.

“The factory has also been designed to ensure it is futureproof, which means we can continually add further elements to improve our sustainability credentials”.

Neil concluded: “Recent events have exacerbated the materials and skills shortages in the UK construction industry. Doubling the Bristol-based production capacity will make us more self-sufficient and lessen our reliance on imports, which will enable us to service the market more quickly and efficiently with an increased local capacity. Localising our new operator’s scheme and apprenticeships will also allow us to attract new talent to the sector, and hopefully help us to address the skills shortage over time.”

Find out more at: etex-bp.co.uk/new-plasterboard-plant/