April 2012

Precast concrete firm rewarded as Regional Business Master

A Shropshire precast concrete company’s innovation excellence has been recognised after it was shortlisted for the final stages of a prestigious regional business competition.

Telford-based Elite Precast Concrete has been named as one of three finalists in the Innovator category at the inaugural West Midlands Business Masters Awards, a new event aimed at rewarding and recognising the brightest entrepreneurial talents across the region.

The firm, which employs a team of 40 that manufactures and supplies a range of interlocking precast concrete blocks for clients spanning sectors such as waste management and recycling, construction, outdoor hospitality, healthcare, and local authority, will now pit its wits against two other shortlisted entries ahead of the awards ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on 10th May.

Judges including Richard Butler, Regional Director for the CBI in the West Midlands, and Dr David Hardman, CEO of the Birmingham Science Park Aston, praised Elite Precast Concrete for embracing innovation across its entire operation, from its use of locally-sourced sand created during quarrying as a sustainable element of its concrete mix, to its successful implementation of an online-driven sales model, as opposed to a more traditional ‘on the road’ sales team. The panel also acknowledged the company’s foresight in diversifying into high-growth sectors, such as energy-from-waste, as well as its decision to only manufacture and sell a ‘stock’ product range, rather than produce bespoke ‘made to measure’ alternatives, which helps to keep costs extremely competitive and enable the firm to provide a rapid turnaround for clients.

“It’s a great honour to reach the finals of a prestigious competition such as the West Midlands Business Masters Awards,” Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director of Elite Precast Concrete, commented. “Getting to the final three in our category is an achievement in itself, as there are so many outstanding, innovative businesses across the region. That’s not to say we don’t want to win the top prize though, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed the result will go our way at the grand final in Birmingham!”

Founded in 2008 by a team with more than 40 years industry experience, Shropshire-based Elite Precast Concrete Limited is the UK market leader in manufacturing and supplying free standing interlocking concrete blocks. By adopting an innovative and forward-thinking approach, both in its production processes and sales and marketing strategy, the company’s precast concrete products are now used by a wide range of UK and international clients including local authorities, recycling businesses, and waste management firms, to build durable waste storage bays. The blocks are also heavily used in industries such as outdoor hospitality, transport, and construction, where they are utilised as kentledge – a form of temporary counterweight – to hold scaffolding, security fencing, and marquees in place.