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Precast

Factory fitting accessories to our precast concrete headwalls

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Althon entry on BPindex

Visit the Althon website

Althon are able to pre-fit a wide range to accessories to our precast concrete headwalls, this means the concrete does not have to be drilled on site. Saving time on the installation and has great health and safety benefits.

Wherever possible we will deliver our headwalls with all factory fitted accessories still attached for faster offload and installation.

☑️ Flap Valves
☑️ Penstocks
☑️ Gratings, Outfall Grilles and Trash Screens
☑️ Kee Klamp, Gates, Ladders and Catwalks
☑️ Dissipation Blocks
☑️ Stepped Baffle Blocks
☑️ Cascade Panels
☑️ Tideflex Duckbill Valves
☑️ Orifice Plates
☑️ Stop Logs
☑️ V Notch Weir
☑️ Pond Liner Brackets
☑️ Dovetails Slots for Cladding

 

or more information on the headwalls we offer please visit our website, email sales@althon.co.uk or call us on 01603 488700 and we will be happy to help.

Why Low-Carbon Precast Concrete Is No Longer a Compromise

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the JKH Ltd entry on BPindex

Visit the JKH Ltd website

As the construction industry accelerates toward net-zero targets, the demand for sustainable materials has never been higher. While low-carbon concrete has been widely adopted for in-situ applications, precast concrete has traditionally lagged behind—mainly due to concerns around strength, durability, and consistency.

But that’s changing.

Thanks to innovations like ECO 1® from JKH, it’s now possible to achieve CEM I-equivalent performance in precast applications while significantly reducing carbon emissions. This marks a pivotal moment for the industry: low-carbon no longer means low-performance.

In this review, we’ll explore how low-carbon precast concrete has evolved and why it’s now a viable—and often preferable—alternative to traditional mixes.

What Is Low-Carbon Precast Concrete?

Traditional precast concrete is manufactured off-site using a high-cement mix, offering excellent strength, consistency, and durability. However, cement production is a major contributor to global CO₂ emissions.

Low-carbon precast concrete replaces a significant portion of cement with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like GGBS or fly ash. These mixes have historically been seen as less suitable for precast due to slower curing times or reduced early strength. But with proprietary blends like ECO 1, that’s no longer the case.

Key Differences—and Why They Matter Now

  1. Performance Without Compromise
  • Traditional Precast: Known for high strength and durability, especially in demanding environments.
  • ECO 1 Low-Carbon Precast ECO 1: Matches or exceeds traditional performance. ECO 1 retains CEM I standards while reducing cement content by 46%, achieving over 75 N/mm² at 28 days. It’s fully compliant with BS 8500-2:2023, including Design Chemical Class 4 and Design Sulphate Class 4—making it suitable for even the most aggressive environments.
  1. Environmental Impact
  • Traditional Precast: High embodied carbon due to cement content.
  • ECO1 Low-Carbon Precast: ECO 1 reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 49% with its ECO 1 ULTRA® variant, offering a genuine path to sustainable construction without sacrificing quality.
  1. Consistency and Quality
  • Traditional Precast: Offers factory-controlled consistency.
  • Low-Carbon Precast: Now delivers the same consistency and reliability, thanks to advanced mix design and rigorous testing. ECO 1 is used as standard across all JKH products, proving its reliability at scale
  1. Cost and Availability
  • Traditional Precast: Well-established and widely available.
  • Low-Carbon Precast: Once considered niche, it’s now mainstream. At JKH, ECO 1 is the default mix—offered at no extra cost—making sustainable choices more accessible than ever
  1. Project Suitability
  • Traditional Precast: Ideal for high-load, high-durability applications.
  • Low-Carbon Precast: Now equally suited for these applications, while also helping meet sustainability targets, LEED certification, and government carbon mandates.

Conclusion: A New Era for Precast Concrete

The assumption that low-carbon concrete can’t meet the demands of precast applications is now outdated. With solutions like ECO 1, the industry can move forward confidently—combining sustainability with strength, and innovation with reliability.

At JKH Ltd, we’re proud to lead this transformation. Whether you’re building infrastructure, commercial developments, or sustainable housing, our ECO 1 range ensures you no longer have to choose between performance and planet.

Let’s build better—together.

For more details on the ECO1 range, visit: https://www.jkhltd.co.uk/eco-1-range/ or contact us at sales@jkhltd.co.uk to discuss your needs.

*ECO 1 and ECO1 ULTRA are registered trade marks of JKH Drainage Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Saving time and reducing waste on site with precast bespoke cover slabs

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete on BPindex

Visit the Elite Precast Concrete website

Precast special access cover slabs, manufactured offsite, within quality controlled environments, reduces the stress on resources at building and construction sites, according to Paul Cartwright, Business Development Director at Elite Precast Concrete, here’s how:

Precision Manufacturing

  • Exact Fit: Precast cover slabs are tailored to previse project specifications, minimising the need for adjustments, specialised materials and skilled labour on site.
  • Controlled Environment: Manufacturing in a factory setting ensures accurate material calculations, reducing excess and defects.
  • Quality Assurance: Rigorous quality control reduces errors compared to on-site casting, leading to less material waste.

Elimination of on-site modifications

  • By designing cover slabs to exact dimensions, the need for cutting or trimming on-site is eliminated, reducing waste materials.
  • Minimises the risk of ordering surplus materials as a contingency.

Optimised Design

  • Efficient use of materials: customer designs allow for optimised slab thickness and reinforcement placement, avoiding unnecessary use of concrete and steel.

Reduced Formwork Waste

  • Precast cover slabs eliminate the need for temporary formwork, which is often discarded after use, thereby reducing construction waste and vehicle movements.

Material Recovery

  • Any waste, generated during manufacturing can be recycled or reused within the factory, unlike on-site waste that is harder to manage

Extended Lifespan

  • Designed for durability, these bespoke slabs can last over 100 years, under normal conditions. This longevity reduces the need for replacements, further minimising long-term material waste.

By integrating precision engineering, optimised design, and offsite manufacturing with modern methods of construction, special access cover slabs offer a sustainable solution to reduce material waste in construction projects, increase the health and safety on site and make the lives of designers, specifiers, buyers and installers easier.

Call 01952 588885 to find out more or visit www.eliteprecast.co.uk/drainage-products/large-diameter-cover-slabs/

Factory fitting accessories to our precast concrete headwalls

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Althon entry on BPindex

Visit the Althon website

Althon are able to pre-fit a wide range to accessories to our precast concrete headwalls, this means the concrete does not have to be drilled on site. Saving time on the installation and has great health and safety benefits.

Wherever possible we will deliver our headwalls with all factory fitted accessories still attached for faster offload and installation.

☑️ Flap Valves
☑️ Penstocks
☑️ Gratings, Outfall Grilles and Trash Screens
☑️ Kee Klamp, Gates, Ladders and Catwalks
☑️ Dissipation Blocks
☑️ Stepped Baffle Blocks
☑️ Cascade Panels
☑️ Tideflex Duckbill Valves
☑️ Orifice Plates
☑️ Stop Logs
☑️ V Notch Weir
☑️ Pond Liner Brackets
☑️ Dovetails Slots for Cladding

 

or more information on the headwalls we offer please visit our website, email sales@althon.co.uk or call us on 01603 488700 and we will be happy to help.

New Retainer-Rock® walling system keeps residents and property safe and secure…

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete entry on BPindex

Visit the Elite Precast Concrete website

With an increase in an aging population and the need for suitable accommodation, residential parks are becoming more and more popular as people want safe, secure and landscaped areas to live.

Catering for the over forty-five age group, Sandy Oaks is one such residential park. Situated in 35 acres of picturesque woodland, in an idyllic rural setting, close to Sherwood Forest, it boasts 149 individual homes, all with their own garden and driveway.

Due to the topography of the park, a retaining wall solution was required 2.5 meters high that would protect the homes and gardens from landslips and the egress of land.

The retaining wall not only needed to be strong & secure but also had to fit in aesthetically with the surrounding countryside and architecture. The answer? Elite Precast Concrete’s Retainer-Rock® modular walling system.

After discussing the different retaining walling options with Paul Cartwright, from Elite Precast Concrete, the contractor decided to go with Elite’s new walling system, Retainer-Rock®.

The Retainer-Rock® walling system answered both his and the client’s need for an off-the-shelf walling product that was available within days of ordering and was easy to install, even when using it for the first time and despite the adverse weather, the client built three walls within days. Most importantly though it blended well into the appearance of the residential park.

With two face finishes currently available (Cobblestone and Liscio Stone), Retainer-Rock® is a secure and low maintenance retaining wall solution that will continue to look good as it weathers.

For more information or technical advice, contact 01952 588885.

 

Onwards and Upwards for Elite Precast Concrete Ltd

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete Ltd entry on BPindex

Visit the Elite Precast Concrete Ltd website

Founded in 2008 by two friends Elite Precast Concrete Ltd from Telford in Shropshire have experienced over 14 years of unprecedented growth culminating in the most exciting phase in the company’s history starting in January 2023.

From humble beginnings in a small rural factory outside much Wenlock, Shropshire, Elite have grown to a turnover over £22m in 2022 and now employ nearly 100 staff spread over three factories in the heart of Telford’s industrial area. 

Supplying a huge range of precast concrete to all sectors and regions of the UK and beyond Elite have become the go to company for quick answers, great value products and good old fashioned personal customer service.

Then in December 2022 the company was delighted to welcome new majority shareholders in the form of Lloyds Animal Feeds (LAF Holdings Ltd). LAF are a Shropshire based privately owned company with a passion for investing in local businesses who have shown the drive and ambition to grow.

 

LAF’s ethos is to provide support where necessary but to allow the existing management to continue to develop the business. Commenting on the share sale Co-Owner Richard Doody said – ‘’we are so pleased to welcome LAF on board. Their proven track record in helping companies realise their full potential is second to none and with their backing we know Elite Precast Concrete will fulfil its ambition to double the size of the company in the next 10 years.

Almost immediately after the share sale was completed Elite were given the opportunity to purchase by far the biggest factory and yard on the trading estate where they are based and the company leapt at the chance. The acquisition of Unit (see below..) has doubled the production capacity for the company in terms of factory space with the new office providing a wonderful place for the staff to work too. With well over 100,000 square feet of space along with an extensive yard Elite are busy commissioning a state of art concrete batching plant which will help to make the many new products that Elite are planning to bring to the market during 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further details on new and existing products please contact sales@eliteprecast.co.uk or call 01952 588885 or visit www.eliteprecast.co.uk

Precast Concrete Headwalls

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast, Walling Leave a Comment

View the Althon entry on BPindex

Visit the Althon website

Althon manufacture the largest range of precast concrete headwalls in the UK for pipes, culverts and box culverts. 15 years ago we have launched our first headwall brochure with a range of 40 different headwalls. Today we have over 500 different headwalls!

Precast headwalls are an important part of most SUDS drainage schemes, preventing erosion at the point of discharge into watercourses such as attenuation ponds, detention basins, rivers, ditches and swales. Balancing ponds or attenuation ponds are a vital flood prevention method. You will often see these attenuation ponds complete with headwalls, on new construction projects such as housing estates, new roadways etc. The purpose of them is during heavy or prolonged wet weather the drainage system on new construction projects can be overwhelmed due to the sheer amount of excess water being discharged. The attenuation pond is designed to control the amount of excess water entering the drainage system to reduce the likelihood of flooding.

Our headwall ranges include Anglian Water approved headwalls, Severn Trent water specification for rectangular precast outfalls, Sewerage sector guidance compliant headwalls, angled headwalls and many more.

We are also able to factory fit a range of accessories to our headwalls making installation much faster and safer. Some of these accessories include flap valves, tideflex valves, kee klamp handrails, stepped baffle blocks, gratings, pond liner brackets and the list goes on.

Whether you already know the type of headwall you require or need some assistance in choosing the correct design our team is always happy to assist you.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements

Phone – 01603 488700

Email – sales@althon.co.uk

Website – https://www.althon.co.uk/products/headwalls/

Legato blocks are used to build a perimeter push wall at an east London metal recycling facility…

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete Ltd entry on BPindex

Visit the Elite Precast Concrete Ltd website

RSG Structures and Elite Precast Concrete Ltd recently undertook full design and build of a new 120m long x 3.2m high perimeter push wall for a new metal recycling facility in East London. 

The wall was constructed using an RSG proven method of in-situ foundation/plinth with Elite Precast Legato blocks installed onto it. The headline figures on this project were 441no blocks from Elite Precast Concrete delivered and installed in 4 days. That’s the equivalent of 400m3 of ready mix (or 67no wagons) with just two men and it was ready to put to use as soon the blocks were in position.

An in-situ wall of similar size and strength would have taken weeks longer to construct and then it needs to cure before being out to use.

Gareth Neale, Managing Director of RSG commented: “We use many different methods of construction in our day to day business, but when it comes to constructing a wall of this size, to take the design loads specified and with a fast build time, there is nothing that comes close to the Legato block. The fact that we can alter the layout by use of the “bendi” blocks which allow us to follow any change of direction and design the  strength of the wall by the addition of a “soldier course” at the bottom and with buttresses added,  is why we often favour the block system over more “traditional” methods. L walls, T walls and other precast systems are great, but a 3m L wall, will always be a 3m L wall and that’s all it can be. I can build a 3m high block wall that is purely designed for wind loading and then by a quick change of design, it becomes a 3m wall that can take scrap metal to full height with a surcharge and the impact of a 20t shovel. By the same token, if the height wants to be increased or decreased a simple design check and it’s done. That simply cannot be achieved with other standard precast units. We always use Elite Precast for our large blocks (Legato) as we need to count on the quality and supply of product. All of our projects are fully designed as I want to be able to sleep at night when I am building walls that I know are going to get a hammering. There are cheaper block suppliers out there but I want to use a manufacturer that I know will always deliver. Any rejected product or delayed deliveries when we are on site will end up costing a lot more than any money I might have saved from one of the “cheap” suppliers”

For further information about the Legato blocks please contact sales@eliteprecast.co.uk or call 01952 588555

For further information about the wide range of services offered by specialist contractor RSG Structures Ltd please contactgneale@rsgstructures.co.ukor call Gareth on 08452 997597

 

Elite links up with new logistics partner

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete entry on BPindex

View the Elite Precast Concrete website

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of precast concrete has teamed up with a new logistics provider.

Elite Precast-Shropshire Express Deliveries 8Elite Precast Concrete will work in partnership with flatbed haulage specialists Shropshire Express Deliveries to ensure its nationwide delivery operation runs like clockwork.

The exclusive relationship will create a transport solution tailor-made for the precast concrete industry and underline Elite’s ethos of providing the highest levels of customer service.

Owen Batham 1Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director of Elite Precast, said: “Our logistics operation is very important to us, so it was vital to find the right partners.

“We wanted to build a long-term relationship with a company we can fully rely on and, in Shropshire Express Deliveries, I’m confident we’ve found just that.

 
Elite Precast-Shropshire Express Deliveries (2)“They’ll provide a really cost-effective service carried out by experienced drivers in the highest standard of delivery vehicles.

“But they also place great value on top-quality customer care and that’s something we’re absolutely passionate about.”

Elite also works in partnership with logistics specialists Hallett Silbermann, based in Hertfordshire. The relationship enables the company to provide deliveries that are FORS Gold, Silver and Bronze compliant and that are approved for HS2, Crossrail, CLOCS and Tideway projects in London and the South East.

The business, which operates from two factories in Telford, focuses on providing the best possible value within the precast industry.

A uniquely lean business model enables it to drive down costs and pass savings directly on to customers.

The company manufactures a vast range of semi-dry and wet-cast products for every sector of UK industry and a portfolio that includes interlocking blocks, ballast blocks, safety/security barriers, service protection and drainage products.

Elite Precast-Shropshire Express Deliveries 3The deal will also have significant implications for Shropshire Express Deliveries, according to owner/director Neil Bennett.

The company, also based in Telford, has taken on a string of new drivers as well as office staff as a direct result of the new partnership.

It has brought in five new 44-tonne tractor units, together with trailers featuring side protection, to supplement its fleet of fully Euro 6 compliant vehicles.

And it has installed a state-of-the-art booking and tracking system that enables the company to pick up Elite orders automatically.

He said: “The new partnership is fantastic news for the company and a big step forward for us.

“It’s the biggest contract we’ve won since we launched the business six years ago and it’s a real vindication of how we operate.

“We’re very much focused on quality of service and that was crucial to Elite, which insists on putting customers first.”

Cost effective coastal erosion prevention

Building Products Index Ltd Concrete, Precast Leave a Comment

View the Elite Precast Concrete entry on BPindex

Visit the Elite Precast Concrete website

In December 2018 Elite Precast Concrete were contacted by Richard Roseveare, owner of specialist groundwork and civil engineering company C-Shore Ltd to discuss what might be the quickest, easiest and most cost effective method of stopping further coastal erosion at a site in Cornwall.

C Shore ProjectsA 45m stretch of the coast line was gradually being eroded by the sea which was in turn threatening to wash away sections of three back gardens above the cliff line.

The base of the cliff was only accessible from the beach at low tide so a solution that was both quick to install as well as being incredibly durable and able to withstand the harshest of stormy Cornish winter weather was needed.

Richard chose Elite’s largest range of high strength interlocking blocks (which have a design life of over 100 years) for the job and having settled on the design he and Elite set about planning the work.

Such was the remote nature of the construction site the blocks had to be delivered to a nearby holding area from where Richard could take them one by one to the foot of the cliff. So having cast the steel reinforced foundation slab using ‘no-fines’ concrete Richard set about installing the blocks.

Working quickly to avoid the incoming tides C-Shore were able to lay the blocks in a matter of days and of course without the need for shuttering, formwork, steel fixers and pumping large volumes of ready-mixed concrete.

The result is three very relieved and happy home owners who are safe in the knowledge that their gardens have been protected for many years to come by Richard’s ingenuity and Elite’s high strength Legato blocks.

For more information on C-shore’s specialist coastal erosion prevention services email Richard at c.shoreprojects@gmail.com or Elite Precast Concrete sales@eliteprecast.co.uk