Polypipe’s water management specialists have welcomed Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Minister of State for Business and Energy, to an exhibition showcasing innovative and sustainable construction products manufactured in the UK.
Polypipe is one of eight organisations to feature in the exhibition, located within the main public lobby of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills headquarters in London.
Visiting the exhibition, Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: “The construction products market is worth billions to the economy each year supplying projects of all sizes across the country and overseas with quality British-made goods. This showcase held by the Construction Products Association demonstrates just how innovative and world-leading the sector is, and is just one of the ways Government and industry is working together to challenge outdated perceptions that as a country we don't make anything anymore.”
Meeting Mr Fallon MP, Dr Jason Shingleton, Marketing and Development Director at Polypipe and Chairman of the Underground Drainage Group with The Plastic Pipes Group of the British Plastics Federation, took the opportunity to highlight the increasingly important role of engineered water management systems in protecting the environment from flooding and managing water quality.
Dr Shingleton said: “The market for engineered water management solutions is estimated to be worth in excess of £100 million annually and these systems successfully protected many thousands of homes from flooding during 2012, one of the wettest years on record.”
Construction Products Association Chief Executive Diana Montgomery added: “We appreciate this opportunity to highlight the economic impact, innovation and sustainable development of our industry’s various members, which include steel, timber, plastics, minerals, glass, insulation, ceramics, heating and boilers, coatings and other businesses.
"These range from multi-nationals to SME’s and directly employ 300,000 people across the UK. The exhibit is only a very small sample of the cutting edge and ‘green’ products and solutions our members produce. It also reflects the very high tech manufacturing processes behind the seemingly simplest products.”