BURTON ON TRENT / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 15, 2025 / As pioneering manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles celebrates its 60th anniversary, the firm is highlighting almost 15 years of significant transformation following its move to independence.

Founded in 1964 as the Annandale Tile Company, the business has grown from its original 11-acre site in Halleaths, Lochmaben, into a major UK producer of concrete roof tiles and accessories, now with two additional sites, as well as the original Scottish plant.

The company was acquired from CEMEX by Crown Global Equity in 2011, which also operates roofing manufacturing facilities in the USA. Russell Roof Tiles has since grown to become a pioneer within its sector, innovating with ground-breaking new products.

Russell Roof Tiles has undergone a major strategic shift led by Managing Director Andrew Hayward and his senior team. The company has delivered extensive development across all three sites, with capital investment delivering major product innovation, increased technical capabilities and people development.

Across its whole portfolio, the firm has invested in modernising and futureproofing its facilities - boosting capacity, production speed and manufacturing efficiency.  

To address industry-wide skills shortages, Russell Roof Tiles has launched graduate and apprenticeship programmes.  The company now also offers a RIBA-accredited CPD programme and Training and Innovation Hub, which opened this year. The facility is a huge boost and extends its first training centre, which is used by both staff and customers in the full range of roofing products the company manufactures. This training covers both manufacturing and correct installation. Theoretical training in the classroom covers topics including product awareness, roofing systems, correct fixing, British Standards, regulations and roof estimating.     

This year, the firm has worked supporting the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC), the UK's largest independent provider of warranty and insurance for new-build homes, in its ambition to address skills shortages within construction. 

Russell Roof Tiles' expert in-house technical team has been providing tailored training covering roof tile fixings, accessories, and site compliance to NHBC at sessions in England and Scotland. This technical team has grown from one specialist to four, offering enhanced support to customers and helping deliver more complex roofing solutions to developers, architects and installers across the country.

A focus on people and place has underpinned the company’s growth strategy. Russell Roof Tiles has embedded a set of core values across its operations and significantly increased its community support. Through its community fund, Give4Good, the team's participation in Give as you Earn, match-funding and local events and partnerships in this special year, the company has achieved its Diamond target, raising £60,448.16. Give4Good was launched in 2022 as a way of supporting local initiatives with fun and challenging events which are championed by its staff, suppliers, customers and partners.

The last 15 years has also seen a major step change in Russell Roof Tiles’ sustainability journey. In 2013, the company set ambitious environmental targets, leading to an ongoing programme of waste reduction, increased recycling and energy efficiency. In 2015, it became the first UK roof tile manufacturer to achieve an “Excellent” responsible sourcing rating, underlining its leadership in sustainable manufacturing. The company is also committed to reaching Net Zero by 2040, investing in technology and processes to reduce carbon emissions across its operations.

Managing Director Andrew Hayward said: “Part of our push towards improved sustainability involved significant investment to ensure the business is fit for the future. We must lead by example and make our commitment clear to customers, while encouraging the wider supply chain to progress on the same journey.”

Over the decade, Russell Roof Tiles has been at the forefront of product innovation, being one of the first manufacturers to offer thinner, cutting-edge concrete tile designs that meet planning requirements for an indigenous, traditional aesthetic.

This year, taking another huge step forward, the firm launched Bute3®, a revolutionary concrete roof tile combining the aesthetic appeal of traditional plain tiles with the efficiency of a modern interlocking design. A result of five years and £2m in product development, pushing the boundaries of concrete roof tile manufacturing this innovative product offers a versatile and cost-effective roofing solution and is already being specified by leading developers across the UK.

Despite the current challenges facing the construction sector - from skills shortages to rising material and energy costs - Russell Roof Tiles remains confident in its long-term strategy and continues to forge ahead. Andrew Hayward said: “I am incredibly proud to lead a dedicated team that consistently innovates and outperforms expectations. As we mark our 60th anniversary, we remain focused on transforming our operations, improving manufacturing efficiency and delivering better, more sustainable products. We are looking forward to another decade, and beyond to continued growth and success.”