Interview with Jon Whittall, Managing Director of TEC Container Solutions

First published in the July 2024 issue of Quarry Management as Aiming Higher

The UK market for construction products has changed significantly in recent years – a trend that is set to continue as decarbonization, health and safety, and increased productivity remain high on the agenda for companies in the construction supply chain. QM spoke to Jon Whittall, managing director of TEC Container Solutions, about the business’s client-centric approach to meeting these demands and the importance of delivering bespoke equipment solutions and top-tier aftermarket support

Like the construction industry, the bitumen sector is facing several challenges that are affecting its growth and profitability. Refinery closures and restructuring are some of the biggest drivers of the global bitumen market currently seeing a shift in the supply dynamic. This has resulted in significant increases to the distances that bitumen must travel – from production sites to the end-users – leading to logistical issues, longer delays, and increased costs.

Logistics play a critical role in driving some of some of the UK’s construction projects forward. However, HGV driver shortages have been a headline topic in Britain ever since Brexit and the worrying statistics from the haulage industry show a driver deficit which – if left unaddressed – could threaten the future of the mineral products and construction sector.

According to last year’s global driver shortage report – published by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) – Europe (including the UK) has over 230,000 unfilled truck positions. Without major action, this is projected to reach 745,000 due to driver retirements alone. In the bitumen industry, this is concerning as the market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by evolving market dynamics, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives.   

Fewer qualified professional HGV drivers on the road would undoubtedly put stress on the construction logistics chain, causing frequent disruptions and directly affecting asphalt production at materials suppliers’ plants. The bitumen industry has attempted to react to these pressing supply concerns with the development of large-scale storage terminals in the UK, France, and South Africa, to name but a few.

And while investment in large-scale storage facilities in key areas is alleviating some pressure on the bitumen supply chain, this method alone is not enough to tackle head-on the challenges in transporting bulk bitumen from production sites to the end-users. It is clearly evident that a multi-faceted approach is required to overcome the logistical challenges and supply chain issues in the bitumen market.

True innovation

The bitumen industry is constantly evolving and adapting to meet the changing needs of the heavy construction materials industry. Infrastructure development is still expected to be the main driver of construction activity for many years to come and companies operating in the bitumen market have been focusing on innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships to stay ahead of the game.   

‘Understanding the latest trends and growth opportunities in the bitumen sector is pivotal for businesses to make informed decisions and to stay competitive in the market,’ said Jon Whittall, managing director of TEC Container Solutions. ‘Bitumen production/supply has changed fundamentally in recent years due to numerous refinery shutdowns, the volatility of crude oil prices, sustainability imperatives, and the availability of alternative materials.

‘With the unpredictable nature of the industry, it is important everyone across the construction value chain embraces innovation, circular economy principles, and collaboration, because new challenges must be addressed with new solutions.’   

Established in Worthing, West Sussex, in the late 1990s, TEC are a global market leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of bitumen transport and storage equipment to the construction, bitumen, quarrying, and oil and gas industries. The company has a long-standing reputation for identifying and providing innovative solutions for bitumen, crude and fuel logistics, and helping customers to find the best bespoke and sustainability-focused storage systems in the market.

First developed over 20 years ago, TEC’s industry-proven Bitutainer range continues to be the company’s flagship product. Suitable for storage and multi-modal transportation of bitumen, bitumen emulsions, polymer-modified bitumens (PMBs), and heavy fuel oils, the tank containers have revolutionized the way bitumen is stored and transported worldwide.

Cutting-edge features of the Bitutainer range include: 30% more carrying capacity compared with conventional tank containers; double-walled insulation to ensure efficient heating and heat retention during transportation; safety mechanisms such as pressure relief valves and emergency shut-off systems; and an optional electrical heating system to ensure that the bitumen remains in a liquid state.

‘Designed with key principles in mind, such as high carrying capacity, operator safety, heat efficiency, and durability, our Bitutainers stand out as the market-leading option in bitumen logistics,’ emphasized Mr Whittall. ‘Their portability, durability, and versatility make them the optimal choice in long-distance transportation of bitumen, especially for international shipping or large-scale construction projects requiring a continuous supply of bitumen.’

As a global entity, TEC place great emphasis on innovation. At the company’s Worthing headquarters, Mr Whittall leads an experienced and dedicated design/technical team that plays an active role in not only developing and improving the company’s existing range of products, but also creating new, innovative solutions.

‘We always strive for continuous improvement across our equipment range to ensure that our product innovations are at the high-end of the market in terms of quality, safety, efficiency, and reliability,’ commented Mr Whittall. ‘The need for strategic bitumen storage globally has never been greater, with supply routes changing and bitumen travelling further to its final destination. With the growing demand for road infrastructure development and waterproofing/roofing solutions, the utilization of Bitutainers has become increasingly important in the construction and transport infrastructure sector.

‘As a specialist OEM, we work very closely with our clients, partners, and subcontractors to further develop our portfolio of products and meet the bespoke bulk bitumen needs of our customers. From designing, research and procurement to project management and operations, TEC are always looking for ways to help drive innovation and operational best practice throughout the bitumen/asphalt supply chain.’

Demonstrating this customer-driven approach to providing cutting-edge solutions has helped TEC become the preferred contracting partner and supplier to some of the leading players in the oil and gas, and road-building industries, including Shell Bitumen, Colas, Total, Stolt-Nielsen, and QatarEnergy.

Another key contributing factor to the success of the company is its ability to understand and directly respond to the market trends and growth opportunities in the bitumen sector. One of the biggest challenges facing the wider construction industry – like many others – is to achieve the lowest cost-per-tonne production in the most eco-friendly and safest possible way.

And in today’s highly competitive marketplaces, many quarrying firms and aggregate suppliers are looking at the bigger picture when it comes to getting the very best out of their investments.

Customer focus

‘Customers are very important to us, so delivering an unrivalled after-sales and support package, from the first enquiry, to design and installation, to regular servicing and repairs, has become a fundamental part of our business strategy,’ said Mr Whittall.

‘How the customer’s investment is maintained and kept fully operational is essential for business viability. Our additional services encompass everything from inspection and routine maintenance to wear and spare parts and customer-training programmes, to ensure clients in the bitumen, road construction, and aggregates sectors get the most from their bulk storage/transport equipment.’

With a total commitment to customer service, a comprehensive product range, and a one-stop-shop (eg concept, design, manufacture, supply, technical support etc.) approach, Mr Whittall firmly believes TEC’s customer-centric mindset, advanced engineering expertise, and relentless focus on continuous innovation and improvement puts them in a perfect position to meet the long-term needs of the changing and unpredictable global bitumen market.

TEC work closely with their clients and have been focusing more than ever on developing longstanding relationships with, and meeting the unique needs of their customers, to help them achieve their goals efficiently, safely, and sustainably. One of the company’s key product innovations in bitumen storage is the MEST (Mobile Equipped Storage Tank) Bitutainer, which has been specially designed to solve the logistical complications associated with small-capacity sprayers, by focusing on flexibility, efficiency, convenience, and safety.

‘Existing logistics for the transport of bitumen from supply point to site, and the subsequent on-site storage and redistribution operations fall short in a number of areas, adding both time and costs to highways projects,’ explained Mr Whittall. ‘Job sites are frequently served by small-capacity and insufficient storage tankers, which are utilized with costly bund walls and accessories, all of which has a direct impact on the cost-per-tonne of delivered product.

‘To address these specific challenges and requirements in the UK and European bitumen transportation industry, we introduced the MEST Bitutainer to the market – a bespoke turnkey system offering a versatile and unique alternative to existing bitumen storage and distribution solutions.’

Available as either a 20ft or 40ft unit, each MEST has a capacity ranging from 15 to 52 tonnes and is suitable for all bitumen, including emulsions and PMBs. The efficient storage tanks offer a temporary or permanent storage option without the additional time and cost implications of a fixed storage facility.

This semi-mobile facility arrangement means the MEST Bitutainer can be relocated to a different strategic location should the market conditions change, or new demands arise, reducing the risk associated with storage implementation. Furthermore, the modular nature of the concept ensures that all bitumen storage requirements can be met, from a single tank to a full-sized bespoke storage facility of several thousand tonnes.

TEC’s vast expertise and industry knowledge, not to mention innovation in bitumen storage/transportation, has no doubt helped many of their customers to maximize productivity, enhance efficiency, and reduce on-site operational costs in a wide range of applications and feed material types.

In Australia, for example, the company was approached by Colas – one of the world’s leading surfacing contractors – to design and supply a highly engineered turnkey system for a new crumb rubber asphalt project. The resurfacing contract involved the recycling of thousands of end-of-life car/truck tyres to create a crumb rubber binder, which was modified with a special warm-mix additive, allowing the asphalt mixture to be produced at safer working temperatures.

Due to the highly viscous nature of the crumb rubber-modified binder, TEC took a holistic approach to developing the highly efficient bitumen storage facility, working closely with Colas to engineer a tailor-made solution to match their exact requirements. Through early technical engagement, collaboration, and innovative thinking, TEC adopted a partnership approach with Colas, to ensure surety of supply of special bitumen for the road resurfacing scheme.

For the highways maintenance and transport infrastructure industry, the project is a great example of using recycled waste material to produce a sustainable end-product that is significantly more durable, long-lasting, and resilient than standard asphalt, with the rubber improving the standard properties of the bitumen component.

Leading the way

TEC’s ability to meet their customers’ requirements and offer practical solutions to the supply, safety, and environmental elements of an operation have set an unparalleled standard in the storage and transportation of bitumen worldwide.

It is perhaps no surprise to learn that Mr Whittall is excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for TEC, as the business looks to make further inroads into the UK mineral products market and strengthen its focus on quarrying and construction with new-to-market innovations, superior customer support service, and full aftermarket care and backup.

‘The quality of the TEC Container Solutions brand is highly thought of and appreciated by all our global customers,’ he explained, ‘but we are also recognized for our dedicated aftermarket support and commitment to providing added-valued solutions and services for our valued OEM client base. Product innovation has always been, and continues to be, the lifeblood of the company ever since the Bitutainer was launched, which was to provide a safer and reliable alternative to the single-skinned bitumen/asphalt containers.

‘Our growing portfolio of products is unrivalled in the industry and, coupled with the high levels of customer service and engineering expertise we provide, this allows us to be able to significantly expand our capabilities at our current location and facilitate further growth – strengthening our position as a world-leading manufacturer of highly advanced bitumen storage equipment.

‘You cannot rest on your laurels in a broad, evolving, and dynamic industry as construction is; you have to be thinking of tomorrow, the changing market conditions, and the products and services our customers need.’

Over the past few years, TEC have made great inroads into the booming Australia and New Zealand road construction materials market and one of Mr Whittall’s priorities is to expand the company’s presence in key territories around the world, by building a strong network of locally focused sales offices, product support depots, and dealer representatives on a global scale.

‘The Australia and New Zealand markets have been very receptive to us,’ said Mr Whittall. ‘The mining, asphalt, and road infrastructure industries in Australasia have some of the world’s most stringent regulations in terms of health, safety, and environmental impact. Additionally, this territory places a strong emphasis on innovation and significant leaps in asphalt technologies have been made in road-building materials in the last few years.

‘We’ve been able to tap into those markets by understanding the specific challenges and rigorous demands associated with the transportation and storage of bulk bitumen, such as temperature control, monitoring/tracking, safety, and energy efficiency. There is a lot of potential in the Australasia market and our commitment to expansion in this key region will allow us to better serve the growing customer base with an improved product/parts supply experience and greater levels of service.’

TEC, however, are not only expanding geographically as a global OEM, but their product offering continues to increase and diversify, as new and established industry sectors realize the potential of the company’s field-proven technologies and modular mobile equipment.

‘Whilst road construction and bitumen are core markets in which we operate, we are also developing our product offering to encompass the much wider construction and aggregates industry,’ continued Mr Whittall. ‘For us, the challenge will be to design and engineer equipment solutions that can store, handle and transport large volumes of bulk material, dry powders, chemicals, and other liquids. The focus is very much on increasing productivity and maximizing resource and supply in all industry sectors, including for mineral extraction businesses.’

Sustainability roadmap

The journey towards a more sustainable UK construction industry is well under way and many businesses across the value chain are aware of the need to decarbonize and help the sector to improve its sustainable working practices and environmental performance.

Looking to the future, there are many more opportunities to innovate. And TEC have already demonstrated that they are at the forefront of innovative product-led solutions not only in the development of new and advanced equipment (eg large-scale complete ship-to-shore loading/unloading system), but also in applying new practices to enhance their customers’ performance in key areas such as health and safety, and environmental issues.

‘We are always looking for ways to help the environment and operate more sustainably,’ said Mr Whittall. ‘The importance of supplying bespoke solutions to help customers optimize their equipment uptime, improve operational efficiencies, and address their sustainability goals – as well as for forecasting future production levels and controlling costs – is growing ever more.

‘Efficiency and innovative leadership will, therefore, play a critical role in our continued success – and it can only be achieved by becoming a more environmentally responsible and client-centric company with the drive and agility to provide the best-value products and services to customers.

‘Many of our clients are won over by the modular nature of our tanker storage and distribution equipment because it has been carefully engineered to deliver complete, end-to-end sustainable solutions and offer the versatility needed to meet their requirements and commercial needs, including accommodating any future capacity changes or final product specifications.’

With increasing environmental regulations and the adoption of circular economy principles in the construction and transport infrastructure industry, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly aggregates and bitumen products. TEC will no doubt support the future of bitumen and oil products supply/distribution – driving innovation and delivering sustainable solutions that benefit both businesses and the environment.

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