stowells

KennStone Project Packs

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:34:19 GMT

KennStone project packs now available!

Stowell Concrete is proud to announce that our KennStone Reconstituted Walling is now available in project packs, designed for efficient use on a wide range of construction projects. These packs make it easier for builders and contractors to select and use our high-quality reconstituted walling, offering a simple and convenient solution for your next project.

Our project packs are currently available in two colours: Cranmore Buff and Ashcott Grey, and two finishes; tumbled and split, each carefully crafted to replicate the beauty of natural stone. These packs are designed to suit both traditional and modern builds, ensuring seamless integration into any architectural design.

What’s Included in Each Project Pack?

Each pack covers 4.75m² and includes a variety of block sizes for maximum flexibility:

32 pieces: 65mm x 215mm

24 pieces: 65mm x 290mm

32 pieces: 140mm x 215mm

24 pieces: 140mm x 290mm

16 pieces: 140mm x 440mm

8 pieces: 215mm x 290mm

This mix of sizes ensures that your project benefits from both aesthetic variety and practical design efficiency.

All our KennStone products conform to British Standards BS EN 771-5 and have a normalised compressive strength of 22.5N/mm².

KennStone Project packs are available from stock. Please contact our sales team for pricing and samples. Product sample boards are also available in Ashcott Grey or Cranmore Buff both in tumbled and split finish.

Please contact: sales@stowellconcrete.co.uk or phone 01934 834000 for more information/ pricing.

Stowell Concrete Earns BES 6001 Certification: A Commitment to Responsible Sourcing

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:32:33 GMT

BES 6001 'Very Good' Certification achieved September 2024.

BES 6001 certification independently assesses manufacturers entire supply chain, ensuring that products are sourced sustainably and ethically.

At Stowell Concrete, we are proud to have achieved BES 6001 “Very Good” certification. While many of the practices evaluated were already part of our operations, it’s great to have them formally recognised. This certification highlights our commitment to sustainability, ethical trading and strengthens our longstanding relationships with suppliers and customers.

What is BES 6001?

BES 6001 ensures that construction products are sourced responsibly from raw materials to the point of use. It covers environmental, social, and economic factors, and is recognized by BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes, where certified products contribute to green building credits.

Building on ISO 14001

In 2015, we earned our ISO 14001 certification, which is a global standard for environmental management systems. This framework helped us reduce our environmental impact and improve efficiency. BES 6001 builds on this, ensuring responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain.

Sustainable Practices at Stowell Concrete

Our sustainability efforts go beyond certification. We’ve installed solar panels at our Yatton and Holcombe facilities, covering 3 acres, to power our operations. Our static block plant now runs primarily on solar energy, reducing carbon emissions, and our electric forklifts further minimise our environmental impact.

Leading the Way in Responsible Sourcing

At Stowell Concrete, we’re committed to sustainable manufacturing. BES 6001 and ISO 14001 certifications, along with our solar-powered operations, demonstrate our dedication to reducing our environmental footprint and providing responsibly sourced products for the construction industry.

Download our BES 6001 certificate here

New Product Launch: Return Blocks

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:33:07 GMT

A Block Designed by Builders

Designed to aid when cross bonding onsite, especially at corners where they act as a return.

We are excited to introduce the ‘Return Block’ , a revolutionary product designed to streamline and accelerate the building process. Developed in response to feedback from our valued customers and onsite builders, the Return Block significantly reduces the need for onsite cutting, making construction more efficient and less time-consuming.

The Return Block is an innovative solution specifically designed to aid in cross bonding onsite, particularly at corners where they serve as a return. This new product not only simplifies the building process but also ensures precision and consistency in construction.

"This block was designed to reduce cutting on-site making the building process safer, quicker and more economical "

Designed for perfect cross bonding:

When laid, a 100mm wide block combined with the 105mm quarter blocks equates to 225mm, which is exactly half a standard 440mm block with its mortar.

SIZE: 105 x 100 x 215

LENGTH: 105mm

WIDTH: 100mm

HEIGHT: 215mm

Available in 7.3N/mm² Stowlite and 10.4N/mm² Dense

DID SOMEONE SAY FREE BLOCKS?

To introduce this new product to the market, we are offering one free band (88) of Return Blocks on any full load of 100mm blocks delivered to site.

We believe the Return Block is a unique addition to the market that will significantly enhance the efficiency of your projects.

Please reach out to our sales team to place your orders or for any additional information and pricing.

Email: sales@stowellconcrete.co.uk

Telephone: 01934 834000

Click here for more information.

Our Solar Journey

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:35:28 GMT

Embracing Solar Power: Stowell Concrete Ltd's Journey Towards Sustainable Production

At Stowell Concrete Ltd, our commitment to sustainability and innovation drives us to explore new ways to reduce our environmental impact while enhancing our production capabilities. Our journey towards greener operations began with the installation of solar panels on our Plant 6 production shed at Yatton. Covering an impressive 1.33 acres of space, these solar panels have significantly transformed our energy consumption practices.

Electric Forklifts Powered by Solar Energy

Following the success of our initial solar installation, we took another step forward by investing in electric forklifts that run on solar power. This move not only reduced our reliance on fossil fuels but also enhanced our operational efficiency. By using renewable energy to power our forklifts, we minimized our carbon footprint and demonstrated our commitment to sustainable practices in every aspect of our operations.

Solar Power: The Heart of our Static Block Plant

Our static block plant, responsible for manufacturing a wide range of products including KennStone Walling, concrete block paving, close textured blocks, bricks, and commons, now uses solar power as its primary energy source. This shift to renewable energy has allowed us to produce high-quality construction materials while significantly reducing our environmental impact. The solar-powered static block plant stands as a testament to our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices.

Expanding Solar Power Across All Plants

Building on the success of our initial solar installations, we constructed a new production shed for block making at Yatton, covering an additional 1.67 acres with solar panels. This expansion further solidified our commitment to renewable energy and sustainable production practices.

In addition to our efforts at Yatton, we also installed solar panels on our T-beam production shed at Holcombe. This initiative extended our renewable energy coverage, contributing to a total of over 3 acres of shed space now covered in solar panels.

Our extensive use of solar power has greatly reduced our carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment. By harnessing solar energy, we have decreased our dependency on fossil fuels and lowered our overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Check out our sustainability policy for more information on what Stowell Concrete are doing to reduce our gate-to-gate carbon emissions.

Innovation Inspired by Solar Power: The Solar Ballast Block

Our investment in solar panels inspired us to think more broadly about solar power, leading to the creation of our latest product: the Solar Ballast Block. Designed to support solar panel installations, the Solar Ballast Block is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Stowell Solar Ballast Blocks are designed to work with ground mounted table type framing systems so that piling is not required.

Solar Ballast Blocks are often the best solution for:

Old landfill sites
Flood plains
Sites with archaeological interest
Sites with utilities underground
Sites which are cost saving

Stowell Solar Blocks are generally manufactured using a semi-dry 10.4N/mm² block mix using Class 1 limestone aggregates.

The proposed range will include two sizes, each with four heights. Stocks of each product will allow small jobs to be supplied ex stock, but bigger jobs are ideally manufactured about two weeks prior to delivery/ collection. Due to our manufacturing process, volumes of 750 full units or 1,500 half units can be produced per day.

KennStone Walling

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:20:09 GMT

A New Era of Walling Solutions

Stowell Concrete Ltd is proud to announce the launch of our latest innovation, KennStone Walling. This new product is designed to replicate the beauty of natural stone while offering the durability and functionality required for both traditional and contemporary construction projects. With KennStone Walling, we aim to set a new standard in the construction industry by combining aesthetic appeal with cutting-edge engineering.

Available in various colours, including Cranmore Buff and Ashcott Grey, it offers a range of options to suit different architectural styles. The product is available in tumbled and split finishes, providing versatility in design and ensuring a seamless blend with the surrounding environment.

KennStone Walling comes in nine different sizes across three course heights (65mm, 140mm, and 215mm), allowing for flexibility in design and application. This versatility makes it suitable for various projects.

Designed with efficiency in mind, KennStone Walling is easy to install. The blocks are lightweight, with unit weights ranging from 2.8 kg to 14.3 kg, and can be handled without specialized equipment. Additionally, they are designed for precise fitting, reducing installation time and labor costs.

During 2024 we have have been involved in some key housing developments, watch this space for photos of our KennStone in situ, and further product development including new colour blends!

Contact our sales team for pricing, samples and more information.

sales@stowellconcrete.co.uk 01934 834000

Mego Mania!

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:51:50 GMT

The Evolution of Concrete Megos

In 2017 Stowell Concrete started manufacturing Mego Blocks using original Beton Block Moulds. Manufactured using recycled aggregate from our block production waste our Mego blocks proved a popular retaining product, ideal for aggregate storage.

The blocks we had manufactured were quickly used to build our new aggregate storage for our plant 6 development.

Our customers asked us to design bays and storage solutions for them. We found a creative solution that brought out the kid in us - Lego. Yes, you read that right – we get to play with Lego at work! Armed with an obscene amount of Lego (mostly red, of course), our team, led by James Branfield then later Dave Barrow, became our in-house experts in designing Mego block solutions. And who wouldn't want to be an expert when it involves Lego?

Stowell Concrete Shines at Trade Days

marketing@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Beth Stowell) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:04:08 GMT

A Year of Connection and Innovation

As we move through 2024, Stowell Concrete Ltd has continued to strengthen its presence in the construction industry by participating in various Builders Merchants' trade days across the UK. These events have not only showcased our latest products and innovations but also allowed us to connect with our valued clients and partners. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from this year’s trade days.

Photos show Nick, Craig & James proudly representing Stowell Concrete at the CRS Building Supplies Trade Days. Thank you both for championing us out on the field!

Engaging with Industry Leaders

One of the standout aspects of the trade days has been the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders. Our team has been on the ground, discussing the latest trends, exchanging insights, and gathering valuable feedback. These interactions are crucial for us as they help in refining our products and services to better meet the needs of our customers.

Showcasing Innovative Products

This year, we proudly introduced several innovative products that have been the talk of the trade days. Among these, our KennStone Walling which is now on sale in all CRS branches. Photo above shows the display area at the Keynsham branch.

Strengthening Partnerships

Trade days are not just about showcasing products; they are also about building and strengthening relationships. Our team has used these opportunities to forge new partnerships and reinforce existing ones. Our presence in Builders Merchants yards for Trade Days, has helped us co-ordinate direct to site deliveries on behalf of the Builders Merchant for their customers.

Stowell Concrete offer direct to site deliveries on articulated vehicles, wagon and drag vehicles and rigid vehicles, with a typical lead time of 1-3 days.

Learning and Adapting

The feedback we receive during trade days is invaluable. It helps us stay ahead of industry trends and continuously improve our offerings. We take every comment and suggestion seriously, using them to guide our product development and customer service strategies. An example of this is the introduction of project packs. Feedback from CRS and their customers has meant that we now offer project packs of KennStone. These are bespoke packs that contain a range of sizes in one pack;

65mm x 215mm

65mm x 290mm

140mm x 215mm

140mm x 290mm

140mm x 440mm

215mm x 290mm

These packs are available from all CRS yards, and are available in Ashcott Grey and Cranmore Buff.

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead to the rest of 2024 and beyond, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. The Builders Merchants' trade days have reaffirmed our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of everyone who visited our stands and participated in our demonstrations.

Join Us at Future Events

We invite you to join us at upcoming trade days and experience firsthand the excellence and innovation that Stowell Concrete Ltd brings to the table. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for updates on our next appearances. We look forward to seeing you there!

MERRY CONCRETE-MAS

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 09:33:06 GMT

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Christmas comes but once a year and I know some of you may feel that it's one time too many but hopefully most will enjoy the festive period for what it is and if nothing else it gives us all an opportunity to sit back, relax and hit one of those life reset buttons.

We had all hoped back in late 2021 that the following year of 2022 would be the turning point, a recovery, rebuilding after the past few COVID hit years which had left the country feeling uneasy about its future. Unfortunately, little did we know back then that war would return to Europe, that there would be an energy crisis, our reigning monarch passing away and a succession of Prime Ministers and the ugly head of COVID raising occasionally.

Despite the seemingly sluggish start to the year, with all the issues and concerns; there was hope and a spark of positivity which did briefly came to fruition during those very hot and exceptionally dry summer months, where it felt like all the troubles were behind us at last. (Those sweltering days feel so far behind us as I write this with temperatures of 0c and with reports of snow across the country.)

However, with the summer fading quickly into a rainy autumn and edging towards the cold of winter those talks of high energy bills, the rise of our weekly food shop and prices at the petrol pumps with added talks of turkey and egg shortages over the Christmas period. The "cost of living crisis" becoming the latest issue; things have started to slow down.

But as a "big bear" of an industry that construction is, perhaps its heading into hibernation for the Christmas break earlier than usual, hoping to wake from its slumber with a greater positivity.

We at Stowell Concrete would like to take this opportunity to extend its Christmas wishes and huge thanks to one and all. Despite the hardships and uncertainties, present and future, despite the strikes, the disappointment of England and Wales in the World Cup; that the festivities will bring much needed respite and preparation for the new year and here's hoping that 2023 will be a better, healthier and a more prosperous one!!

Once again thank you for your business and hard work throughout the past year.

Our final working day for deliveries is Friday 23rd December 2022 and we will be operational again from Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Picture of the resident Robin at our Holcombe works.

(Taken with a 20mm "pancake" lens connected, ideal for close up work. Unfortunately a little editing of this picture was required which lost some of its definition)

NEW CANTEEN, DRY ROOM AND TOILET BLOCK BUILT

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 11:01:22 GMT

CONVENIENT CONVENIENCES

Welcome to the future....

The out dated portacabin canteen gone and a new multipurpose brick built super canteen in its place, this is not some dream of the yard operatives but very much reality.

The portacabin canteen that we knew originally started life at Stowell Concrete as Vince Stowell's office during the mid 1980's and lived by the block making beds at Yatton. The "egg laying" block machines would slowly thunder past the window every so often, leaving their trail of concrete blocks on their production journey down the long concrete "runways." Vince had to plan his phone calls carefully and in conjunction with the movements of the machines as they stopped, vibrated, laid and then trundled on and beyond his office.

The cabin in 1995 would then be moved and situated in between the newly built office and toilet block in Yatton and ever since then the three structures have remained.

However, the passing of time had not been kind to the canteen, a slight revamp by adding a dry room for the yard staff to hang their wet weather gear and a general spruce up pumped an extra few years of life into the old structure and with the toilet block not as inviting as it once was especially during the winter months. A decision was made to build a new staff restroom/canteen and dry room but also combining the old, but to be refurbished, toilet block into the new build.

The build was put into the safe and steady hands of Trevor, who leads all the building projects, big and small, within the various works of Stowell Concrete. Who coincidentally built the office and original toilet block back in 1995.

Terry, plant 6 manager, who also happens to be Trevor's son, helped his father for many years before moving to manage and run plant 6, also helped with overseeing the new build and joining in whenever he could.

Along with Dan, who was a for many years a production and yard operative here at Yatton, recently joined Trevor on the maintenance team, Mark D our onsite Electrician, Mike our yard 6 shovel driver AKA "Mastic Mike", Ian B who assisted Trevor on the brick and block work and more on this project and also previous builds and last but not least Mark K, a long standing employee, yard operative, builder and general "jack of all trades" plus a variety of sub-contractors who gave their services.

So long gone are the days of walking into the tired, old, creaky and dark staff canteen and welcome to the clean, brilliant white, slick clean lines, smooth and bright glossy walls of this multifunctional canteen. Which looks like something out of Arthur C Clarkes '2001 - A Space Odyssey' (cue music - "The Blue Danube" by Johann Strauss and brilliant white space stations spinning in sequence to the music)

Beth Stowell cut the ribbon with the assistance of Trevor and Dan and in doing so officially opened the building.

The new building contains male and female toilets along with a disabled access toilet, dry room, shower room, kitchen and a large area with tables and chairs.

Thank you to one and all in making this happen, a real "phoenix from the flames" build.

FREEZING FOOTBALL FANATICS FIND FORM

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 15:38:28 GMT

CLEVEDON UTD U11's Girls Vs AEK Boco

Standing on the side lines this past Sunday as a parent when its 3°C, the air filled with drizzle, windy and grey, two pairs of winter socks, a multitude of layers, woolly hat and a scarf, it's a stark reminder that December and the winter months are well and truly here and a billion miles away from the scorching sun and warmth of the World Cup in Qatar.

I watched my daughter peel off her training jacket, and apprehensively, with a shudder of coldness, take the long walk to the centre circle. Whilst the parents huddle together like penguins in an Antarctic snow blizzard searching for any kind of warmth.

Both teams now formed up into their positions, waiting, a moment of stillness before the whistle blows to start the game and only the chattering of teeth could be heard above the sound of the wind as it whips around the exposed playing fields. The Clevedon Utd girls AKA "The Red Tigers" stood dancing on the spot to generate some warmth and with their brand new kit sponsored by Stowell Concrete seemingly radiating heat from its newness and colour.

The whistle blew, they were off!! The green grass soon being churned up and with Keystone cops antics the "Red Tigers" slipped and slid into several early attacks. It was clear to see from very early on who the dominant force was as the Bristol based AEK Boco were forced to take up a very defensive stance from the get go.

It wasn't too long to wait before things "heated up" with regards to goal mouth action; Bocos defence grouping together to stop the onslaught of strikes on goal. A gaggle of Stowell Concrete logos prancing around, swarming on the edge of the 6 yard box ... the ball ricocheted off a poor Boco player, who was totally unaware of where it came from, falling to earth the ball bounced and a familiar coloured football boot reached out and connected squarely with it ..... we watched, as if in slow motion, as the white sphere travelled goal bound, the white netting rippling, catching it like a lone fish leaping from water.

Cheers through clenched teeth from the parents, the wind chill factor increasing, the stripy black and red football shirts jumping around in jubilation, high fiving, pats on the back and a sudden warmth of happiness as my daughter gave me the thumbs up, awkwardly, not trying to draw extra attention to herself after scoring.

Back to the centre circle the ball went, an upbeat Clevedon with frozen fingers, cold rosy faces, feet like blocks of ice but fire within their bellies, a determination to take the battle to their "enemies." A two week absence from the pitches clearly not making a difference as the onslaught continued with Boco conceding a thunderous own goal and then a cleverly worked attack found the opposition goalkeeper once again retrieving the ball from the back of the net.

The game "hot" to watch but with players and parents still trying to thaw out from the bitter weather conditions.

The final score :-

CLEVEDON UTD 3 - AEK BOCO 0

Clearly the new Stowell Concrete kit has brought good luck and some much needed colour to the dreariness and drab Winter weather on Sunday mornings.

LONG SERVING LANDY

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 07:56:02 GMT

LAND ROVER LOVE

Life is a journey, it's not always about the distance travelled but the experiences had. We may even breakdown along the way but get repaired and carry on with that adventure.

This couldn't be written more so than about one of the "oldest" members of the Stowell team. Always here, always willing to serve and do "their" duty, complained about by some, disliked by others, adored by a few but always gratefully appreciated in snowy conditions by everyone.

I am writing about the Stowell Concrete 1971 Short Wheel Based Land Rover which was purchased by Roger Stowell in 1977. The previous owners did less than 5,000 miles a year until they drove it all the way to India and back for a 6 month stay there. From the service and repair documents we can loosely trace its journey where it stopped in Teheran, Iran and Kabul, Afghanistan as well as Delhi, India for its planned extended stay. The "Landy" still to this day has a double skin tropical roof to help keep the interior cool and so not cook the occupants like a Chapati over an open fire.

Roger and Margaret Stowell's three children all learned how to drive in it, it seemed the safer option compared to other smaller cars of the time. There are fond memories of everyone piling in including the dog and despite the tight squeeze there were lots of laughter and giggles driving to the Brecon Beacons on numerous occasions. Journeys through thick snow and deep drifts where the roads blended into fields with no distinction between tarmac and the fluffy white stuff seemed to be a regular occurrence.

One account from Margaret in such conditions, was with her daughter Gina Driving the "Landy" over the Mendip Hills and the road "disappearing" before them.

Despite the conditions they continued the journey however it soon transpired that they had in fact left the unseen road and were driving across fields somewhere deep beneath them.

Finding their bearings, righting their course and getting back on track it proved once again the sheer ruggedness and 4x4 capability of the vehicle.

My own personal experiences with the Stowell's Land Rover are set a few years ago and once again within the snow storm, "The beast from the East". The snow was too deep for normal cars and so the 2 miles journey to work from home had to be completed on foot which took me over 1.5 hours by foot such was the depth of the snow. At the end of the working day the Landy was brought into use again and "Operation Taxi" commenced. Once again, the old timer saved the day, getting through the deep snow, passing stranded vehicles, drifts and pedestrians trying to trudge their way through the harsh conditions. All those that were "rescued" and "delivered" back home were full of praises and incredibly grateful including myself.

As I write this BLOG, I look out upon the car park and see the old "Landy" in the middle of it, no longer in its prime, no more gleaming paint work, surrounded by ultra modern shiny glossy cars like they are orbiting a dying sun; the light fading but still very much at the centre of our solar system.

LONG DISTANCE LANDY

(repairs from across the continents)

CURRY WURST, BEER & CONCRETE

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 06:58:40 GMT

THREE GO OFF TO MUNICH

Munich in October can only mean one thing, BEER, however this year you would be mistaken. Not only is the world famous Oktoberfest in full swing but also the Bauma Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment. So, we sent Stowell Concrete MD Vince, senior maintenance engineer, Dave and our Plant 6 manager, Terry off to explore and report back from the Bavarian capital.

Bauma is held every three years and apparently the biggest trade show in the world, in fact this years total square meterage, both indoor and outdoor space combined is 614,000 m2 which is the equivalent to 86 football pitches.

On his return to England Vince commented "We met a lot of our existing suppliers, some potential new suppliers and a few competitors." With both Terry and Dave commenting on the vast scale of the show and the sheer range and amount of exhibiters. Funny enough no one mentioned Oktoberfest or Curry Wursts!!

Vince, Dave and Terry have certainly come away with ideas for possible future projects and we look forward to seeing and reporting on them if and when they happen.

Oktoberfest fact: - During the 2014 festival 7.7 million litres of beer were consumed over a 16 day period.

Munich fact: - Plasticine modelling clay was invented by Munich Pharmacist Franz Kolb in 1880.

Bauma fact: - In 2019, 3684 exhibitors from 62 countries and 627603 visitors from 217 countries attended the trade fair.

WE REMEMBER

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 14:28:55 GMT

THE VERDUN CONCRETE VILLAGE

As Autumn takes grip and before the icy fingers of Winter take hold it gives us time to reflect on the past months. With Remembrance Sunday nearly upon us we can also reflect and remember those who have served and also those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present from all nations across the world.

With recent war films like '1917', 'Journeys End' and the new version of 'All Quiet On The Western Front' and my own children studying our family history, of which there was a significant number of relatives serving in World War One it made me think a little deeper about the men and women serving during The Great War but also the construction of defences and buildings for the purpose of war and in particular the usage of concrete.

Looking deeper I found an interesting account of a German officer and his men during World War One tasked with the testing of concrete within fortifications. During 1915 and 15 miles behind the front lines at Verdun, France, a small "village" was created out of concrete. The officer in charge was Captain Hans Marguerre, an engineer from Berlin and to whom the "village" was to be named after.

'Camp Marguerre' as it was to be known was made up a selection of houses, stores and bunkers throughout a small section of woodland. Some of these structures had ornate designs around the windows and doors with pebbles inset to add to the decorative effect. Camp Marguerre and its concrete constructions clearly demonstrated to the world the German advances in the usage of concrete within their construction of bunkers and pill boxes on the front line during that time.

The camp was later used in World War Two by the French resistance and over one hundred years later its concrete constructions still stand to this very day, a test of time and usage, cementing Captain Hans Marguerre and his men into the pages of history.

BEHND THE SCENES - PHOTO SHOOT

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 16:27:20 GMT

PRODUCT PHOTO SESSION - behind the lens

Every so often the product photo library is updated whether with existing products or new stock on the cusp of being released.

We took the opportunity to look behind the scenes and see what happens on one of these sessions which took place over at our new Plant 6 building.

It's not just one person and their camera, there is a small team of helpers from various yard staff preparing the products for the session. Steve, a Yard 6 operative, had the task of carefully placing each item onto the delicate photo back drop flooring with Beth armed with the trusty company leaf blower to blow away any dust and dirt on the special flooring after each picture. Last but not least, Alan, the man behind the lens, our professional photographer called in for these shoots and doing a sterling job.

Hopefully you will see the fruits of their labour on the website or in a glossy flyer or brochure soon.

How it feels to be a Twice Weathered Coping super model!!

Block Paving being worked hard by Alan the photographer.

COMPOSITE LOADS

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:52:59 GMT

PICK 'N' MIX

The Sales team at Stowell Concrete have always pushed to excel themselves at understanding customer needs and wants whilst working within their own operating structure.

Their latest campaign is to promote the advantage of ordering composite loads and have created a poster that illustrates this with a ‘fictional load’ giving a feel of just how such a load may look.

Please contact our sales team to discuss, order and then have your composite load delivered.

STOWELLS SPONSOR SOCCER STARLETS

darren.napier@stowellconcrete.co.uk (Darren Napier) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 12:16:52 GMT

The Red Tigers

Stowell Concrete prides itself on supporting local clubs and societies and this leopard isn't changing its spots by sponsoring Clevedon United JFC's under 11 Girls, AKA ' The Red Tigers ' and becoming the teams mane sponsor.

On speaking to Alex, The Red Tigers manager about the deal... "We are all incredibly excited! These new football shirts mean the team can continue playing together for at least another two seasons. It's wonderful that such a prominent local business sees the importance of girls grass roots football. We are incredibly thankful to all at Stowells in making this happen".

On receiving their new shirts the girls said they were " GGGGRRRRReat !"

Columbia Partnership

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 13:30:10 GMT

The Beginnings Of A Long-Term Partnership With Columbia

Early in 2019 Vince, Beth, Dave Devine and Columbia's UK sales representative, Stephen Wilson, went on a fact-finding trip around North America to look at Columbia production plant versatility, meet the Columbia team and see block machines being made at factory HQ in Vancouver WA. A Columbia CPM+60 block machine was chosen and soon on order along with all associated batching and mixing plant with handling equipment. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction kept on track, and the plant is now up and running, finally utilising all of the available Yatton land.

An Ultra-Modern 'State of the Art' CPM+60 Concrete Products Plant

Stowell Concrete opted for two independent sets of 4 x 40 cubic metre aggregate storage bins with feed to the bins from ground shovel dump hoppers and incline belts to a rotary conveyor. The driver selects a bin from a remote control in the shovel cab, to feed the aggregates to the bins which have high/low-level light indicators. Designed and constructed by Concrete Batching Systems Ltd in Ireland and using weighing and control automation by another Irish firm, Pneutrol International Ltd, each concrete batch is metered onto a weigh belt and conveyed to any one of three dry aggregate holding hoppers over the relative mixers.

The moisture quality check of material feeding the Columbia CPM+60 uses the latest Hydronix moisture system with real-time microwave moisture measurement sensors at the exit of all eight aggregate bins and in each mixer to sense moisture variation and compensate accordingly. With concrete cored brick, concrete coloured tumbled walling and coloured concrete block paving in mind, a Wurschum 4 "big bag" colour pigment dosing system was fitted. This allows pigment to be blended and blown to any one of the three Teka mixers, supplied by Conspare with a full set of concrete dosing hoppers and metering belts, delivering an extensive range of colour permutations along the feed belt to Columbia machine's feed drawer. Three vertical cement silos were also erected local to the mixer station to convey cementitious materials to three independent weigh vessels above each mixer, to complete the batching and mixing scope.

At the very heart of the new Stowell Concrete plant, the Columbia CPM+60 machine has a fl at steel production pallet size of 1400x700x15mm, chosen primarily due to the unique Columbia Vibration Technology (CVT) that provides controlled mould vibration, accurately guided in a completely vertical motion. The CVT results in longer mould life, uniform distribution of aggregates, reduced cement usage, precise product heights and product versatility. Columbia's patented CVT combines over 80 years of innovative engineering and field-proven capability to enable the highest quality and most comprehensive range of products in the world. The CPM+60 is an easy to operate machine with user-friendly HMI/Compact Logix control and machine adjustments made from the HMI and full menu screens for quick machine set up. In changing from product to product (including any mould change requiring a height change), the machine makes the change automatically. Product change-over is recipe driven with a push-button control and tool-less agitator and strike-off plate removal. The machine also features forced oil lubrication, a laser probe to control the feed drawer material level, full isolation between rear feed drawer section and machine centre section vibration, hydraulic linear agitation, remote valve stand, electronic product height control, product reject control and automatic mass control.

The 4 Tonne, Automatic Mould Change facility, was purchased with dual cassettes which run on a floor supported overhead monorail system. The first of the two cassettes is used to extract the mould from the machine while the second cassette offers a new mould. A mould change is very simply done from a menu-driven touch panel for different products and heights, and a complete mould change is performed in less than 4 minutes for products that are the same height

If you'd like to read more about Columbia and the new Stowell Concrete machinery click below:

https://columbiamachine.com/blog/stowell-concrete-commissions-state-of-the-art-columbia-cpm60-concrete-products-plant-at-their-yatton-hq-in-somerset-uk/

Re-opening and Back into Merchant Yards

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 13:53:24 GMT

Stowell Concrete's Sales Representative is back on the road and into merchant yards.

Warren Marks is back repping Stowell Concrete in the yards of our supplied merchants across the southwest, be sure to look out for him and say hello or just a friendly wave!

Warren is always happy to discuss anything concrete and how best Stowell Concrete can supply your branch. We believe addressing merchants directly is very important in our industry and helps us build better relationships with our customers.

Warren will ring merchant branches in advance to make sure they are aware of his arrival. After speaking with Warren, you might want to give us a ring on 01934 834000 or email us at sales@stowellconcrete.co.uk .

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 14:43:54 GMT

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Stowell Concrete would like to wish all of its valued customers and employees a very Happy Holiday .
2020 has been a year full of tough and turbulent times. We understand how difficult it can be on businesses and families across the country; for that, Stowell Concrete offers our deepest sympathies. We know there is a light at the end of this very long and tiresome tunnel, and we look forward to the day that everything can go back to normal.

" We have adapted very well to the challenges over the last nine months and have worked on our procedures to enable us to trade successfully, thank you for your cooperation and support over this period . " - Vince Stowell, Monthly Employee Briefing.

Stowell Concrete has seen many significant changes to its work processes to comply with government guidelines and show great diligence in remaining open through most lockdowns and the tier restrictions. We want to take this opportunity to thank our sales staff for showing great conscientiousness while working from home, and to our yard staff for their patience and the sacrifices they have had to make.

We sincerely hope that 2021 will be a far better year with a happier and healthier country!

New Website

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:19:07 GMT

New Stowell Concrete Website

Stowell Concrete is proud to unveil its latest investment outside of production, the new and improved company website. If you have visited our site before you will have probably noticed the change in design. Don't worry though; you'll still be able to view the same information and products from our previous site. This new design has been created to enhance the user experience, and site mapped to make your visit as quick and efficient as possible. The site has included Stowell Concrete's very first product photography, which can be viewed in the 'products' section. Our customers and end-users can finally get a visual understanding of what our products look like, and how they arrive on sites and in yards. Finally, and most excitingly, the website has a news feed! Here we can update audiences on recent and relevant Stowell Concrete news and make customers aware of new projects and products. We hope you enjoy browsing through the new site and continue to come back to see what's new with us!

New Paving Product!

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 16:15:33 GMT

THE X-TEX!

Stowell Concrete are very proud to release its latest product, the X-TEX! In early 2019 Stowell Concrete invested in a shot blasting machine that was to be installed at our site in Yatton. Not too long after, the first textured paving slab came out of production and was added to the extensive list of Stowell Concrete products. You might have seen some product marketing in the Builders Merchant Magazine or on our sales teams outgoing emails. The X-TEX paving is a decorative and practical solution to all your needs, whether it be civil or garden paving the X-TEX suits all situations and environments.