Trading Director Robert Edwards discusses why SIG Design & Technology is rebranding itself as AccuRoof, and what this means for its specifier-led customer base and the wider construction industry.

The complex roofscape at Lucent W1 on London’s Piccadily Circus includes expertly detailed and installed slate, zinc and hot melt elements (photo: Welsh Slate)

Over the last decade or so, SIG Design & Technology has established itself as the go-to roof design and supply provider for both new-build and refurbishment projects, including single ply, hot melt, liquid, slate, hard metal roofing and cladding, as well as green and blue roofing and biosolar systems. Central to its success has been its ability to help specifiers deliver roofs that are not only fit-for-purpose, but also aesthetically pleasing, long lasting, and sustainable.

Like all successful businesses, SIG Design & Technology is constantly evolving its business approach and customer offering. Most recently, this has led the company to rebrand itself AccuRoof. Trading Director Robert Edwards, in conversation with Architecture Today’s Technical Editor John Ramshaw, discusses the reasons behind this move, how it is repositioning itself within the industry, and what this means for specifiers.

Stepped roof terraces at Lucent W1 (photo: EJ Roberts Roofing)

Why is SIG Design & Technology rebranding itself AccuRoof, and what does the new name and brand stand for?
As a business, we feel that it’s important to adapt to external factors, and the decision to rebrand has been strongly influenced by the new Building Safety Act and the Golden Thread. We undertook market research with key stakeholders, including architects, surveyors, and contractors, to better understand the areas they needed help with. For most of them, it was assistance with compliance and building legislation. The SIG Design & Technology model was already supporting this, but we felt it was time to really push the envelope and demonstrate our expertise within the industry.

This led to the AccuRoof name and branding, which stands for accurate agnostic roofing advice. We provide expert guidance that is up to date with current legislation, including British Standards and the Building Safety Act, as well as our own competencies. Added to this, the advice we give is system agnostic. We have numerous product lines from a wide range of manufacturers, enabling us to offer the best roofing solution for any given project. The advice part is fairly self-explanatory: that’s what we are there to do; to be experts within the roofing industry.

How has the business changed over the years and has this influenced the decision to rebrand?
Value engineering connected to Design & Build contracts has been part of the construction landscape for some years. In this space, we’ve provided cost-effective, alternative suitable products or like-for-like products on numerous specifications. However, the introduction of Gateway 2 under the Building Safety Act means that the D&B approach may eventually become a thing of the past, and we have been assisting specifiers with their work for over ten years too. With this in mind, AccuRoof aims to be at the forefront, assisting architects and surveyors with key roofing decisions from the outset of construction projects. This means offering design and technical advice on integrated roofing systems, while adhering to compliance and other legislative requirements.

The eye-catching Alchemist bar-restaurant in Media City Salford is clad in standing seam elZinc Rainbow Gold Protect zinc over composite panels (photos: Terence Smith)

What is special about AccuRoof in terms of its approach to the specifier market?
Because we are a supplier we have access to an incredibly wide range of products, so our roofing specifications always fit the project, rather than the other way around. This enables us to advise on the best product for a particular roofing solution, taking into account CCPI, accreditations and testing, and regulatory compliance, among many other factors.

What are main services AccuRoof provides for architects and how much do they cost?
We provide a wide range of services free of charge, including design liability (if required to do so), detailing advice, full NBS specifications, wind uplift, U-value and drainage calculations, guidance on renewable and specialist products that assist with common design issues, such as creating falls on flat roofs or providing green energy production. Added to this, we offer ease and reliability of product distribution coupled with a competent subcontractor network under the ACIS (AccuRoof Contractor Installer Scheme) umbrella.

What advice would you give architects when it comes to roofing design and specification?
Early engagement is key. The earlier architects can speak to us, the sooner we can examine their designs and eliminate potential issues, such as door thresholds and parapets on flat roofs, or structural issues relating to green and blue roofs. Equally importantly, AccuRoof can assist with fundamental decisions relating to cost, aesthetics, compliance, and warranties – all of which should be carefully considered at the outset.

AccuRoof designed and supplied this high-performance and cost-effective multiple material roof to the London Business School’s Samy Ofer Centre (photo: IKO)

What do you consider to be the main challenge for the profession going forward, and how can AccuRoof help with this?
Adherence to compliance is one of the biggest challenges, so it’s important that specifiers have confidence in the competency of their design and supply chain partners. AccuRoof’s expertise in this area, coupled with its ability to supply a wide range of products that can satisfy the demands of both the roof and the client make it a potent force – especially where there is early engagement with the specifier.

What’s next for AccuRoof?
We’ve got a lot going on over the coming months, including the introduction of new CPDs covering renewables, fire, and solar, as well as the launch of several innovative products, such as a lightweight, non-penetrative, flat panel solar roofing system, and a new TPE roofing membrane.

Contact Details
For more information about AccuRoof, please call 0845 869 4887 or visit the website.