Raising the roof

With many business suffering from the effects of the economic downturn, the Lord Stafford Awards are an annual reminder that there is still much to be positive about and highlight the crucial role universities play in relation to industry.

Established in 1997, the Awards recognise and encourage the development of collaborative relationships between businesses and universities.

They support growth and economic prosperity for the UK, and aim to encourage co-working and to embrace innovation. Each year, they are a highlight in the Midlands business calendar.

The University of Wolverhampton’s work with Midlands businesses has received recognition with several awards over the years and 2011 was no exception, with a ground-breaking new tile being singled out for its environmental credentials.

The Green Roof Tile Company, in Telford, scooped a Lord Stafford Award for its revolutionary roofing tile made from recycled polymers, developed with help from the University. It won the Innovation for Environmental Sustainability category, presented in recognition of a business or an individual which demonstrated new products or services that contribute to environmental sustainable development.

The Envirotile was developed by roofer of 35-years and Managing Director of the company, Trevor Wakefield, and weighs just 710g – less than a quarter of the weight of conventional concrete roof tiles.

Trevor worked alongside the Caparo Innovation Centre at the University to test the tile. Andrew Pollard, Caparo Industrial Professor, said: “The Green Roof Tile Company and the University have been working together since 2008. Winning a Lord Stafford Award is a tremendous honour for both. We’re proud of this accolade, which reflects a great product and a great collaboration.

“Over the last three years, we have worked tirelessly to develop a sustainable, yet functionally advanced, product range. Whilst companies are generally encouraged to develop green products, it is quite common for projects to fail when the cost of producing an eco-friendly product is weighed up against developing a product from virgin material.

“This recognition of success for The Green Roof Tile Company will encourage other businesses that are attempting to adopt similar sustainable principles.”

Trevor said: “I knew there was scope for a product that could act as a vessel for polymer waste streams in the form of a modern roof tile, and that at this time there was no effective roof tile product here in the UK that was properly designed and made entirely from recycled polymer.

“I would personally like to acknowledge the support of the Caparo Innovation Centre at the University of Wolverhampton as their help was invaluable in assisting me make my idea become a reality.”

The company has since increased turnover by almost 20 per cent. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony at the University of Birmingham Great Hall in November. Lord Stafford, patron of the awards, said: “Every year the wealth of innovation in the Midlands developed as a result of collaboration with universities becomes more and more spectacular.

“The winners of the 2011 awards have all demonstrated brilliance in the nature of their collaborations whether it is using innovation to tackle a specific challenge – as was the case with the idea that was born in the workplace and then brought to life with the help of a University – such as Envirotile.

“Despite the economic situation at the moment, the importance of innovation is vital to recovery and the awards show how much innovation is still taking place.”