A new trade association representing the interests of manufacturers involved in the pitched roofing industry has been formed.
The Roof Tile Association (RTA) brings together the concrete and clay tile sectors for the first time in recognition of their joint interest in promoting the benefits of pitched roofs.
Prior to the formation of RTA, the Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC) and the Concrete Tile Manufacturers Association (CTMA) worked in parallel, but often required a duplication of effort from the companies working in both materials.
RTA will include all the major manufacturers supplying the UK market including: Dreadnought, Forticrete, Marley Eternit, Redland, Russell and Sandtoft.
Alex Patrick-Smith, Managing Director of Dreadnought and formerly Chairman of CRTC, summed up the situation: “The British and European technical standards relating to pitched roof systems tend to apply equally to both material types, so it made little sense to have two different technical committees considering different responses.
“Our objective should be to ensure that the pitched roofing industry has a strong and unified influence on the direction of regulations and standards – the formation of the RTA provides this unity.”
The consensus amongst the major players means that the transition from the two existing bodies to the new single entity is seamless. Both had, in effect, been working together for some time prior to the constitution being finalised for the new association – a process that was completed in early December 2013.
RTA provides a forum for the industry to work with unprecedented focus on promoting pitched roofs as the natural solution for domestic architecture in the UK. The range of experience and knowledge provided by the membership provides an invaluable resource to represent the interests of the whole industry at both a national and international level.
An inaugural meeting has established working groups to look at technical standards and marketing – more information on all this activity will be forthcoming in early 2014.
