Tarmac chief heads new construction industry body

TARMAC group chief executive Roy Harrison has been appointed as president of the newly formed Construction Products Association (CPA), the industry body set up to act as the official voice of the construction products sector.

Created on 1 January 2000 by the merger of the National Council of Building Materials Producers and the Association of Construction Products and Suppliers, the CPA represents over 2,000 companies ranging from large global operators to small local enterprises.

Speaking at the association's official launch, Mr Harrison highlighted the importance of a growing, profitable and sustainable construction products sector within the UK economy and called for the industry and government to work together to move the UK off the bottom of the European league of construction investment. UK construction spend currently represents only 8% of GDP compared to the EU average of 12%, while the UK's per-capita investment in infrastructure of £180 is the lowest in western Europe. Mr Harrison said that greater levels of investment in the built environment were essential to improve the competitiveness of industry and commerce and to enhance the overall quality of life. He also emphasized the importance of the construction products industry, which has an annual turnover in excess of £24 billion and accounts for some 40% of construction output in the UK - over 80% of the industry's market capitalization.

'We look forward to playing a pivotal role, with government, in determining future direction,' he commented. 'The CPA has been formed to act as the focal point for government consultation and its objectives include informing and empowering its membership, complementing the work of sector trade bodies and exerting influence at regional, national and international levels.'