23 aspect of how we operate. We combine longterm thinking with a personal, hands-on approach that larger manufacturers often struggle to match. Our clients don’t just come to us for concrete blocks. They come to us because we are responsive, consistent, and committed to doing things properly.” Lignacite approaches each project as a partnership, whether it’s supplying materials for a high-rise development or a new education facility. Every time, its goal is the same: to provide the right products, at the right time, backed by the right support. From the earliest enquiry, Lignacite works closely with its clients to understand their specification needs, project constraints, and sustainability goals. Its knowledgeable team provides technical guidance to help select the most appropriate block type, backed by verified data on embodied carbon, fire performance, acoustic values, strength, and recycled materials. Collaboration is the cornerstone of Lignacite’s approach; it works hand-in-hand with contractors, specifiers, and architects throughout the process, ensuring smooth communication and joined-up thinking from concept through to delivery. This is an especially important approach in London, where project timelines are tight, access can be restricted, and compliance requirements are exacting. Having worked in the capital for the best part of a century – supplying sites that include Wembley Stadium, Excel London, Westfield Stratford City, and The Cheesegrater – Lignacite understands these pressures perfectly well. Logistics That Keep Projects Moving Specialisation in London also informs Lignacite’s logistics. The company recognises that transporting materials to site efficiently is just as important as the products themselves. To account for this, its Nazeing fleet includes a range of vehicle types, including rigid transport for restricted access and wagon-and-drag trailers for larger loads, with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)-fuelled options available for low-emission deliveries. Beyond that, the Lignacite transport team liaises directly with site managers to meet delivery slots, overcome access issues, and keep projects moving. “Ultimately, our approach is rooted in reliability and responsiveness,” Giles explained. “We bring the same level of care and attention to every project, large or small, combining decades of experience with a forward-looking mindset. It is an approach that builds trust – and long-term relationships.” Solving Challenges with Precision: The 20 Giltspur Street Project One of the company’s most recent and rewarding projects has been its work with FACE Brickwork on a complex office retrofit in the heart of the City of London: 20 Giltspur Street, the former Bank of America building situated behind St Paul’s Cathedral and opposite the Old Bailey. The building is being transformed to meet modern sustainability standards and was a project that required not only technical precision but also deep logistical planning. For Lignacite, the key challenge was access. The streets surrounding 20 Giltspur Street are narrow, subject to strict delivery restrictions, and often closed during court sessions at the Old Bailey. This presented a series of complexities to navigate: deliveries had to be precisely timed and expertly managed to avoid any disruption to neighbouring buildings; traditional rigid trucks could not access the street; and materials had to be delivered directly into the building’s undercroft and basement. “Our long-standing relationship with FACE Brickwork meant we were brought in early to help problem-solve,” Giles explained. “Paul Blunderfield, our Regional Sales Manager, visited the site in person to assess the situation and develop a bespoke delivery package. By using HIAB vehicles and extending the legs into the structure itself, we were able to commit to delivering into the undercroft at 7:30am, completing all deliveries before causing any disruption to neighbouring sites or road users. It’s rare for any supplier to guarantee timed deliveries in central London, but we delivered exactly what we promised, without interfering with car parks, access roads, or the surrounding area.” Delivering Quality, Consistency and Versatility From a product perspective, Lignacite’s medium-dense paint-grade blocks were chosen for their quality, consistency, and versatility. These blocks are being used extensively throughout the project, including the basement, substructure, stairwells, internal walls across multiple floors, and even a viewing gallery designed to showcase Roman walls beneath the building. Sustainability was a key consideration for the client, and Lignacite’s Nazeing site proudly played a role in reducing the project’s delivery emissions. Helping Customers Meet Their Environmental Goals “We run every delivery through a carbon calculator,” said Joel Riley, Managing Director at FACE Brickwork. “Choosing a manufacturer based in Essex, rather than bringing blocks from further afield, made a tangible difference to our environmental impact. Lignacite consistently delivers the best quality and service, along with excellent value for money. I have worked with them throughout my career. If I need a dependable service in London, where logistics are an issue, I wouldn’t use anyone else.” This particular project stands out for its technical and logistical complexity, but that is not all; it also stands out for the trust placed in Lignacite to serve as a long-term partner of FACE Brickwork. Its success demonstrates Lignacite’s expertise in combining quality products with collaborative problem-solving and sustainable delivery, and why contractors continue to choose the company for some of the most demanding projects in the capital. Laying the Groundwork for Housebuilding Growth The construction sector across London and the South East is evolving rapidly, shaped by a mixture of opportunity, ambition, and pressure. One of the most significant drivers is the government’s ongoing push to increase housebuilding; with national targets to deliver more homes and regional plans to unlock new developments, Lignacite is seeing continued growth in the housing sector. As a result, the company is working closely with a wide range of housebuilders seeking reliable, highperformance materials that can support both volume delivery and environmental compliance. Constructing a Greener Future with the Lignacite ECO Range Following the launch of the Lignacite ECO Range in May - a new, lower-carbon block range containing up to 70% recycled content and delivering up to 70% less embodied carbon – the remainder of 2025 marks an exciting phase for Lignacite. Equipped with a block that is “tough on performance and kinder on the planet”, the company continues to build momentum in both product innovation and project delivery. New ECO Range specifications are being recorded weekly, live quotes are progressing, and multiple deliveries have already been completed. Lignacite’s focus remains on positioning the ECO Range as a strong alternative or complementary choice to the Lignacite Standard Range, providing customers with a full suite of solutions to meet their needs and achieve sustainability goals, whatever the project. To facilitate this shift, the company is working with both new and existing customers to adopt this new product line and demonstrate its benefits within their projects. In addition, its research and development team continues to explore new mix designs to develop and enhance the range, responding to feedback from contractors and specifiers seeking greater choice in low-carbon materials. “Following a strong start, with new specifications for the Lignacite ECO Range being recorded weekly and increasing interest in our HVO-fuelled delivery options, we are confident that the rest of 2025 will drive both commercial success and continued progress towards a more sustainable construction industry,” Giles shared. “For us, this isn’t about chasing trends – it’s about delivering lasting value, both to our clients and the wider built environment. And 2025 is proving to be a year of real advancement.”
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