To mark the long service, staff across two sites were presented with woodland.

In 2022, as part of its dedication to sustainability, the company relaunched its Long Service Programme giving long serving staff managed woodland, from The Woodland Trust, to tie in with Russell Roof Tiles’ sustainable values and goals and net zero pledge. The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the United Kingdom and is concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage.

To commemorate its team’s hard work woodland is dedicated to each long serving team member. The woodland, close by the company’s Burton headquarters, now has land dedicated to each long service for them to go and visit, and even add to, in the future. Team members from Lochmaben are presented with dedicated trees, at a Woodland Trust site in Scotland, too.

Russell Roof Tiles became one of the very few UK manufacturers to announce a net zero pledge by 2040, ten years earlier than the government’s agreed target. The firm said its pledge is reflected in its long-service programme.

Managing director of Russell Roof Tiles, Andrew Hayward, said: “I’m hugely proud of the team here at Russell Roof Tiles and it is great to be able to provide them with a gift that also helps us have a sustainable impact in the local community. Congratulations to you all.”

A total of 13 employees received their long service award, including quality manager, Colin Varrie, who has worked at the company for 35 years.

He said: “I’ve been at Russell Roof Tiles for over three decades now and I have been able to witness their dedication to sustainability grow throughout the years. This long service award reflects the company values, and I am happy to have received something that allows me to continue their legacy.”

Other recipients accrued 25 years of service, including operatives at Lochmaben, Philip Hairstains and Paul Ross. Assistant works managers Andy Iliff and Phillip Bradley, alongside operative at Lochmaben, Edward Duncan Cossar and regional sales director, Alan Young, all celebrated 20 years of service.

A further six members of staff were able to receive their long service award in recognition of 10 years of dedication to Russell Roof Tiles. This included yard supervisor at Burton, Martyn Clarke, production supervisor, Ben Cross, operative at Lochmaben, David Gibson, technical manager, Adrian Ryding, production supervisor, Sean Rogers, and finally commercial services director, Paul McLoughin.

Earlier this year the company demonstrated its continued commitment to sustainability by creating a new role of corporate sustainability and development director.

The firm’s continuous development will see it this year unveil a new £18.5m investment in a state-of-the-art plant at its Burton headquarters which will double output in the most sustainable way.