The UK's leading producer of concrete masonry blocks has committed to a long-term six-figure spend which marks the beginning of a process of standardisation in its UK manufacturing facilities, equipping them with strapping equipment provided by sector leader, Walsall-based Strapex. Tarmac Topblock, a member of the Tarmac Group, operates from 13 sites across the UK. The company produces concrete and aircrete blocks (commonly known as breeze blocks) which are used in the construction of both domestic and industrial buildings.

These are supplied mainly to builders' merchants although some are delivered direct to construction companies as well.

Typically each site produced in excess of 1 million sq metres of blocks each year.

Before transportation, the blocks are stacked either in four of five tier 'cubes' of 18 blocks per tier, weighing up to 1.2 tonnes, or in 'void packs' with gaps to allow access by a forklift truck.

Each type of pack requires strapping to hold the blocks in place during transportation; the cubes are strapped with two horizontal bands, while four vertical lengths of strap secure the void packs.

The company has been using strapping as its main method of load securement for a number of years but concerns over strapping quality led it to re-examine the technology it was using.

Jeremy Thompson, Asset Manager for Tarmac Topblock, explained: 'We had been using a horizontal banding machine which generally did a reasonable job but we did occasionally experience damage to the blocks and the machine if the package entered at slightly the wrong angle and was not detected by the sensors and the mechanism came into contact with the top of the cube.' 'We needed new equipment which was durable enough to cope with our harsh production environment and also strong enough to hold the loads in place without damaging them, while providing long-term machine reliability and low maintenance cost.' 'We investigated all of the leading suppliers in the sector, carrying out extensive tests, but were particularly impressed by the Strapex Endra machine's design, with the strap held across the flow of the conveyor and the strap then being passed around the rear of the load which avoids potential for block / strapping machine collision.' 'The machine delivers consistent strapping quality with optimal tension and our consumable costs have been reduced significantly'.

'We feel the Strapex equipment is the best technically thanks to its unique clutchless design, while its running costs are low and required maintenance appears to be minimal.' The machine supplied to the Newark site is a special build machine which can strap two packs in one cycle.

The company is now seeking to extend the use of Strapex equipment to all of its sites, with three vertical strapping machines scheduled to be installed in the next three months.

Jeremy Thompson continued: 'We had previously been using steel strap for vertical strapping but the high cost, difficulty in cutting, and health and safety ramifications of loose steel strap on building sites, have convinced us that plastic is the best way forward'.

'This is especially so given that with correct tensioning, there is no loss in strapping quality.' 'We are committed to the very highest standards in load securement and see our continued investment in Strapex equipment as being integral to that.' Scott MacPherson of Strapex added: 'Tarmac is the biggest name in construction products in the UK and we are delighted to have been selected as a long term partner by Tarmac Topblock'.

'We have worked closely with them to produced machines tailored to their precise requirements and look forward to a strong partnership in the future.' Strapex is one of the world's leading suppliers of end of line strapping and stretchwrapping equipment.

A wide range of fully and semi automatic machinery, hand tools and consumables is available, along with full training and ongoing product support