This month we are delighted to be shining the light on FOSROC, who we have worked with as a key supplier partner for the SIG Construction Accessories division for many years.
We talked to the very experienced Tim Mole, who is the General Sales Manager for UK/ROI and is celebrating 20 years of service with Fosroc this year.
How did you get into the industry?
Probably like many in this industry, when I left school, I had no particular desire to work in Construction, even though my Dad had been an NHBC inspector. My first job was working night shifts, cleaning the toilets at the Jaguar Landrover Head offices in Redditch. It was a great grounding and I remember having lots of laughs on those shifts despite the 3am cycle to work each day!
When I decided to leave that role, two jobs came up, so I had a choice of working for a light bulb factory in Redditch or travelling to Bromsgrove and working for a contractor, I chose the latter. That was in 1997 and the contractor, Llewellyn Stonecare, was typical of someone Fosroc would supply today, involved in the construction of commercial infrastructure repairs in the area, such as local bridges and tower blocks.
I then spent a few years working on a trade counter in Oldbury for WT Burden which was great training and then for a specialist distributor within the WT Burden group called Adawall. It was this latter role that introduced me to the specialist area of chemical solutions in construction and with that experience, I was approached to join Fosroc as an Area Sales Manager (ASM) in 2004.
I was an ASM for Fosroc for almost nine years looking after key accounts in the Midlands Area and I was then asked to become a specification manager Nationally for Rail and Waterproofing, which included both the Hinckley Point and Crossrail works. This role was very different, all about tracking projects and providing technical solutions and I did this for 3 years before becoming the Regional Sales Manager in the North, then National Sales Manager in 2016.
What does Fosroc do?
Fosroc manufactures and supplies construction products* including Waterproofing, Concrete Repairs, Grout, Sealants, Admixtures and Flooring Coatings and we are one of the few who supply all these product categories, offering a full basket solution.
We are a global business but our UK Head Office is in Tamworth, where we manufacture most of the products we supply in the UK. The UK is where the business started, over 70 years ago, and we now have a wealth of technical experience there that provides specialist advice across all divisions.
Our global head office is in Dubai and we have many manufacturing sites across the world, it’s a truly international business where we benefit enormously from sharing experiences and best practices across all our sites.
Whilst we physically sell bags, bottles and rolls, we really sell the expertise to sit with an engineer or customer and help solve their technical problems. We are here to help, advise, and make what can be a difficult technical decision more straightforward. That is the key service we offer that ensures people want to come back to us for future projects.
What is unique about Fosroc?
Our product basket size, customer training and our 48-hour site support promise to the industry.
We promise that if our customers have any issues we make sure someone is on-site within 48 hours and we are unique in this service. It could be SIG Construction Accessories branch staff or we also go to SIG customer projects on-site and carry out joint SIG/Fosroc training on-site. Of all the things we do at Fosroc, I am most proud of this cradle-to-grave support. Our whole engagement carries on till the product is in place and beyond.
Relationship with SIG.
SIG is a key National Distributor and they hold Fosroc products in stock in depth across all their of Construction Accessories branches. That’s helpful as contractors can call into their local SIG and collect any Fosroc products that they need off the shelf.
Our sales team at Fosroc covers the UK and their focus is on technical sales. They search out construction projects in their area, make contact to assess any Fosroc product requirements, and endeavour to get Fosroc specified for that project. All products are then supplied by the likes of SIG Construction Accessories (CA). So our sales structure is about looking for an opportunity for our merchant/distributor customers, requesting that loyalty back and making sure we grow in specialist areas, such as rail and energy Government infrastructure projects.
SIG CA is certainly a major customer for Fosroc. We have a very specific route to market via distribution and we stay true to that route. SIG CA is a huge player in this area and my relationship with SIG dates back to 1997.
The scale, size and logistical coverage of SIG CA means that we often pick up more work than we get via specifications from them. They hold stock across the UK and have a powerful and effective next-day delivery service with site-suitable vehicles. They are a great partner to us and regularly promote our brand across their social platforms too, where they have a large following.
We deal with many people within SIG CA including category people, specialists and branch staff.
SIG and Fosroc have had a long relationship and we’ve both had peaks and troughs over those years as we’ve faced market challenges, but we’ve grown our business together and we still have a passion and desire to continue that growth.
*more on Fosroc product:
Fosroc is dedicated to enhancing the performance, durability, and sustainability of buildings and structures. Their innovative products address construction challenges, enabling professionals to achieve exceptional results in diverse environments. By leveraging expertise in material chemistry, Fosroc products significantly improve buildings in the following ways:
Strength & Durability: Their concrete admixtures enhance the strength, workability, and durability of concrete, resulting in robust buildings that withstand heavy loads, harsh weather, and long-term wear and tear.
Protection from Environmental Factors: Fosroc’s surface treatments provide effective protection against water, chemicals, abrasion, and weathering. This preserves structural integrity, preventing corrosion, deterioration, and damage.
Structural Stability: Their grouts and anchors offer high-strength solutions for securing critical elements in buildings, ensuring reliable load transfer and long-term stability.
Waterproofing Management: Fosroc’s waterproofing systems prevent water ingress and moisture-related issues, protecting buildings from damage and promoting a healthier environment.
Restoration & Protection: They provide repair and protection solutions that revitalise deteriorated structures, extending their lifespan and avoiding costly replacements.
Enhanced Aesthetics: Fosroc offers specialised products for surface finishing and protection, enabling architects and builders to achieve desired aesthetics in their designs.
Energy Efficiency: With their cement additives/grinding aids, Fosroc optimises the grinding process of cement, reducing energy consumption and enhancing performance.
As a trusted partner to architects, engineers, contractors, and project owners, Fosroc provides technical support, training, and on-site assistance for successful implementation.
Website: http://www.fosroc.com
