Minister for Construction Chris Bryant visits Smartroof: Minister for Construction Chris Bryant visits SmartroofThe West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence (WMCCE) welcomed the Minister for Europe, Chris Bryant to the region as part of a tour to see the positive impact of European Regional Development Funding. 

WMCCE, the specialist sector support organisation, is focussed on helping to stimulate the pressurised West Midlands construction industry by promoting excellence and best practice across the sector. With financial backing from the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands, WMCCE has provided business assistance for more than 500 companies since its inception in 2005.

David Bucknall, WMCCE Chairman, said: “WMCCE provides essential support to businesses looking for practical ways to ride out the current economic storm.  We are delighted to welcome Chris Bryant to the region to show him how this vital funding is helping to sustain the region’s construction industry by enabling companies to develop new markets, test new products and adopt best practice.”

The tour of the region included a visit to the smartroof Ltd factory in Solihull– an example of true innovation in the construction sector. A complete, eco friendly structural timber insulated panel system, smartroof creates not only instant room space, but also more of it. With the support of WMCCE, smartroof is a great success story for the regional construction sector. The company, which is based in Hampton in Arden, provided the roofs for the UK’s first zero carbon homes.

David Himmons, director, smartroof Ltd, said:

 “Major house builders are fast appreciating the benefits that smartroof can offer, from clear health and safety advantages to faster build times, a pair of units complete in just a day. We are continually developing smartroof as the market requires improved insulation and air tightness levels.”