The trade association for the concrete structures sector, Construct, has affiliated with the Mineral Products Association (MPA), which represents most of the UK鈥檚 ready-mixed and precast concrete producers, plus all cement manufacturers and most aggregates suppliers.
Representing nearly 80% of UK concrete frame contractors, Construct鈥檚 mission is to improve the safety and efficiency of building in-situ concrete structures.
Construct is moving into the MPA鈥檚 offices in Victoria, London and will share support services such as finance, IT and human resources.
The tie-up between Construct and the MPA comes just three weeks after the MPA鈥檚 merger with British Precast.
Heading up Construct is newly-appointed general manager Ian Burnett who has more than 40 years鈥 experience in the sector, whose career has taken him from site labourer to management.
He was a site worker on the Dartford Bridge, Stansted Airport, the Limehouse Link and HS1 Channel Tunnel rail link. He was a health & safety manager on the Shard, Leadenhall Building and 120 Fenchurch Street (Walkie Talkie).
MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said: 鈥淥ur new partnership with Construct represents another important step in bringing together different parts of our industry in our common goal to develop and maintain the highest standards of productivity and project delivery across the construction sector and promote the essential role this amazing and under-appreciated material plays in our economy and our quality of life.鈥
Neil Marney, chairman of Construct, said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e been working alongside MPA The Concrete Centre for several years but this new closer affiliation will give our members in the structural concrete sector access to a wealth of product knowledge, experience and resources. Joining forces also supports stronger synergy and alignment between concrete producers and specialist contractors so we can continue to raise the bar when it comes to improving safety, standards and sustainability, as well as awareness of the tremendous benefits of building structures with concrete.鈥
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