Wienerberger UK & Ireland has opened its first concrete roof tile factory in the South of England, marking a significant step forward in sustainable construction manufacturing. The new Smeed Dean concrete tile factory in Sittingbourne, Kent, spans 7,800m² and has the capacity to produce up to 94 million concrete roof tiles annually, enough to supply roofing for around 32,000 semi-detached homes.
The launch of Smeed Dean strengthens Wienerberger’s presence in the South East construction market and reflects its wider commitment to low-carbon building materials, regional investment, and advanced production technologies. The facility will manufacture both Danum TLE large-format concrete tiles and plain concrete tiles on two automated production lines, complementing Wienerberger’s established sites in the North. By bringing production closer to southern markets, the company expects to cut average transport distances by more than 200 miles, reducing logistics emissions and supporting the UK’s net-zero construction goals.
According to Keith Barker, Chief Operating Officer at Wienerberger UK & Ireland, the new site represents a long-term investment in sustainable growth: “Launching Smeed Dean is about more than expanding our national manufacturing footprint – it’s about building for what’s next. Increasing our production capacity in the South and investing in decarbonised operations have been key priorities for us.”
The Smeed Dean facility is Wienerberger’s first fully electrified concrete roof tile plant, powered by renewable energy and equipped with smart technologies to enhance resource efficiency. Features include intelligent lighting systems, heat recovery for energy conservation, a 10,000-litre rainwater harvesting system, and participation in The Pallet LOOP circular economy scheme to minimise pallet waste.
Located on the historic Smeed Dean brickworks site, the new factory combines modern production with local heritage. A highly trained team has been prepared to deliver consistent quality and efficiency in concrete tile manufacturing.
In line with Wienerberger’s social responsibility commitments, a share of proceeds from Danum TLE tile sales supports Emmaus, a charity addressing homelessness and social exclusion.
The opening of the Smeed Dean factory reinforces Wienerberger’s role as a leader in sustainable construction materials and a key partner in delivering efficient, low-carbon housing solutions across the UK.
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