FP McCann Invests Heavily To Secure UK Roof Tile Supply Amidst Industry Shortages
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
The UK roofing sector is currently facing significant supply chain challenges. A recent survey by MRA Reports, published in Builders' Merchant News, revealed that 79% of specialist roofing merchants are experiencing problematic lead times. In some cases, contractors are waiting 52 weeks or more for concrete roof tiles, causing costly delays to construction schedules across the country.
While the wider industry struggles with these shortages, FP McCann has taken decisive action. Through a series of major strategic investments and acquisitions, we have significantly expanded our manufacturing capacity and product range. As a result, we are proud to offer our comprehensive range of concrete roof tiles with exceptional 1–2-day lead times, ensuring our customers have the stock they need, exactly when they need it.
A £40 Million Investment in State-of-the-Art Manufacturing
Our commitment to securing the UK's roof tile supply began with a £40 million investment in a brand-new, fully automated concrete roof tile manufacturing facility at our Cadeby site in Leicestershire. This state-of-the-art factory has the capacity to produce 90 million roof tiles annually. It is also a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing, being 100% powered by solar panels. This facility allows us to produce our core range of high-quality tiles - including the Thin Flat, Duo Thin Flat, Square Top, Double Roman and Double Pan-Tile profiled tile range - at scale, guaranteeing a reliable supply for our customers while reducing the carbon footprint of our products.
Expanding the Portfolio: The Leighton Buzzard Acquisition
To further strengthen our offering, FP McCann recently acquired the Leighton Buzzard roofing business. This strategic move has allowed us to significantly expand our existing roofing range, incorporating highly sought-after profiles such as the SL8, Gemini, and Centurion tiles. Leighton Buzzard has the further metric tile capacity of 30m Roof Tiles annually and Gemini and Centurion Capacity at 30m annually each.
We are committed to the continued manufacturing of this expanded range. There are no planned changes to either the existing FP McCann roof tile range or the newly acquired Leighton Buzzard products. This ensures continuity and reliability for contractors and developers who have come to trust these specific tile profiles for their projects.
A reliable roof requires more than just tiles; it requires high-quality accessories to ensure a secure, weather-tight finish. Recognising this, FP McCann acquired Easy-Trim Roofing and Construction Products Ltd in January 2026. Based in Lancashire, Easy-Trim is a leading UK manufacturer of roofing accessories, renowned for its innovative products such as lead-free flashing and user-friendly dry-fix roofing systems. By bringing Easy-Trim into the FP McCann family, we have created a true "one-stop shop" for roofing contractors. Customers can now source a complete, fully compatible roofing package directly from us, streamlining procurement and guaranteeing performance.
A Word from Our Roofing General Manager
Simon Smith, FP McCann's Roofing General Manager, highlights the strategic vision behind these moves: "While the wider industry is grappling with supply chain bottlenecks, FP McCann has taken a proactive approach. Our continued investments in innovative manufacturing technology and sustainable practices - such as our state-of-the-art solar powered Cadeby facility - are designed to future-proof our operations. By combining this with extensive stockholding across our expanded product range, we are ensuring that our customers have immediate access to the high-quality tiles and accessories they need, exactly when
they need them."
Cutting Lead Times to 2 Days
At FP McCann, we understand that in construction, time is money. Our recent investments in the Cadeby facility, alongside the strategic acquisitions of the Leighton Buzzard range and Easy-Trim, demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the UK roofing sector. With more to follow in the coming months. While others are quoting lead times of up to a year, FP McCann is delivering. Our full range of concrete roof tiles and accessories is in stock and available within 1-2 days. Don't let supply shortages dictate your build schedule. Partner with a supplier you can rely on.
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