New Bitumen Flat Roofing Association Launched

THE BITUMEN Flat Roofing Association (BFRA) has been launched by key manufacturers and suppliers in the industry.

The founders say they have recognised “a significant gap in the UK’s flat roofing sector”. The new trade association aims to advance industry collaboration, stakeholder competency, quality standards and best practices.

Keen to provide a unified voice for the bitumen flat roofing sector and represent the industry, the 14 founding members are Alumasc, Axter, Bauder, BMI Group, Danosa, Garland, ICB, IKO, Langley Waterproofing Systems, Mapei, Moy Materials, Rose Roofing, Sika, and Soprema.

Bitumen Flat Roofing Association

BFRA is led by:

• Chair Shaun Lotay, Technical Director at Langley Waterproofing Systems
• Vice-Chair Richard Aldred, Head of Compliance and Technical Services at Sika
• Association Secretary Phillip Wilcox-Moore, Managing Director of Axter

The association’s main mission is to unify the interests of its members and the bitumen flat roofing industry, while driving up competence and best practice in the sector.

BFRA Technical Guidance

The association has already established a technical working group to tackle the critical issues and challenges impacting the bitumen flat roofing industry. These include British Standard updates to BS 8217 and BS 8747 and the development of a comprehensive bitumen flat roofing technical guide.

Although in its infancy, the BFRA already represents a significant proportion of the bitumen flat roofing manufacturer and supplier sector operational in the UK today. The new organisation says that means it is well positioned to combat upcoming industry challenges and lead the sector towards a sustainable and profitable future. BFRA will give members a platform from which to promote collaboration and to update, refine, and develop policies and standards to meet the industry’s demands.

Unite Experts

BFRA Chair, Shaun Lotay, said the founding members had recognised the absence and need for a dedicated body for the reinforced bitumen membrane (RBM) sector. He said: “RBMs account for more than 50% of flat roofing installations, yet, until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated trade association representing this technology for well over 10 years.

“Our mission is to unite experts involved in manufacturing, designing, specifying, and installing RBMs. By bringing together stakeholders, the BFRA ensures that RBM systems are consistently chosen, installed, and maintained to the highest possible standards across manufacturing, certification, training, sustainability, and workmanship.”, commented Shaun.

“As Chair, my primary objective is to cultivate a culture of collaboration, openness, and continuous improvement within our industry. This involves fostering information sharing and peer review, engaging emerging talent, encouraging constructive challenge and learning, and developing a dynamic knowledge repository. By focusing on these areas, we can build a resilient and progressive association that not only sets high standards but also adapts to the changing landscape of the flat roofing industry, ensuring sustained success and growth for all members.”

The drive to unite experts from across the industry to provide a unified voice and platform for collaboration was echoed by BFRA Vice Chair, Richard Aldred. He said: “The bitumen industry, until recently, has not been well represented in the UK. Whilst respected single ply, mastic asphalt, and liquid waterproofing trade associations have been active, the bitumen sector has not, which is unacceptable considering that bitumen waterproofing systems are extensively used.

“A key focus of the association will be to provide clear, up to date, and agreed best practice information to all our members so that they can reference quality standards in any work they do. I am very keen to ensure that our members feel the association is worthy of their time and investment, so I will be working hard to ensure that members’ interests are served, and they feel they are getting value out of being a part of this association.”

BFRA Secretary, Phillip Wilcox-Moore, was delighted that the bitumen flat roofing industry would finally be unilaterally represented. He said: “A trade association solely representing the best interests of bitumen flat roofing technology is well overdue. Our inability to speak with one unified voice has been unfavourable over recent years. The BFRA is looking forward to using our union of membership to deliver a consistent and compliant message, promote our technology, and ensure its sustainable future.

“The built environment is changing rapidly, and our membership is facing significant challenges, so it was vital to form the BFRA, and I am looking forward to beginning this essential work in support of our great industry.”

Visit the BFRA website here.

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