Companies supported by University of Wolverhampton in line for awards

The Green Roof Tile Company, in Telford, and Tough Furniture, in Shropshire, are both nominated for Lord Stafford Awards, which celebrate collaboration between universities and businesses in the Midlands.

A revolutionary roofing tile made from recycled polymers, developed by the Green Roof Tile Company with help from the University, is shortlisted in the Innovation for Environmental Sustainability category.

The Envirotile was developed by roofer of 35-years and Managing Director of Telford-based The Green Roof Tile 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 Envirotile.

He 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 there was at this time 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.”

Craven Arms-based Tough Furniture Ltd design and make furniture which is typically used in environments such as young offender’s institutions, social care homes and hospitals.

This furniture needs to be tough and durable but, at the same time, fit in with normal surroundings.

The University of Wolverhampton provided help to revolutionise their design processes. As a result, the company has now been shortlisted in the Innovation Achieved category.

Managing Director David Vesty said: “Before the link-up with the University of Wolverhampton we didn’t have a dedicated design capability which was a significant barrier to our development.

“The University helped us through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which meant a design student, Rhys Thomas, worked with us on improving our design processes and he has since been appointed as Design Manager.

“He has been instrumental in helping us transform our design processes meaning we are far more flexible in what we can deliver to our clients and can deliver more efficient solutions to clients’ briefs.”

The company has since increased turnover by almost 20 per cent.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony being held at the University of Birmingham Great Hall on Thursday November 17.

ENDS

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