Key manufacturers and suppliers in the flat roofing industry have founded and launched the Bitumen Flat Roofing Association (BFRA) to advance industry collaboration, stakeholder competency, quality standards and best practices.
Keen to provide a unified voice for the bitumen flat roofing sector and best represent the talented individuals and organisations across the industry, the 14 founding members – Alumasc, Axter, Bauder, BMI Group, Danosa, Garland, ICB, IKO, Langley Waterproofing Systems, Mapei, Moy Materials, Rose Roofing, Sika, and Soprema – formed the BFRA to fill the gap and lead the industry forward.
Led by Chair Shaun Lotay, technical director at Langley Waterproofing Systems, Vice-Chair Richard Aldred, head of compliance and technical services at Sika, and Association Secretary Phillip Wilcox-Moore, managing director of Axter, the BFRA’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.
The association has already established a technical working group to tackle the critical issues and challenges impacting the bitumen flat roofing industry, such as British Standard updates to BS 8217 and BS 8747, in addition to 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.
As a result of membership, companies will have the necessary platform from which to promote collaboration and work cohesively to update, refine, and develop policies and standards to meet the industry’s demands.
Shaun revealed the founding members had recognised the absence and urgent 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.”
