June 2009

Showcase 09 was held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster on 4 June 2009.

The theme of this year’s Showcase was ‘Essential Materials – Sustainable Solutions from Production to Consumption.’

Over 550 people attended with national and European politicians, senior civil servants from Government departments and agencies, representatives from regional bodies, County and District Councils, highway officials, planners, consulting civil and structural engineers, contractors, architects, designers and specifiers, as well as representatives from Universities, environmental NGO’s and other institutions and associations with which the mineral products industry works in partnership.

This year's Showcase was an occasion to celebrate four major achievements, the launch of the MPA, the signing of the affiliation of British Precast with the MPA, the 40th Anniversary of the Cooper-Heyman Restoration Awards and the announcement that Natural England would be sponsoring a new Biodiversity Award at future showcases.

The event was hosted by the Channel 4 Presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, with outside broadcasts from quarrying locations by Springwatch Presenter Kate Humble. 

Showcase 09 presented MPA members with the opportunity to show the audience and the wider world the responsible commitment and degree of application to which the industry integrates itself in and operates in extremely sensitive environments.  No better is this exhibited than in the Restoration Awards which reflect the caring and responsible nature of this essential industry.  Each year there are shining new examples of restoration which have gone above and beyond the norm to create massive environmental, social and economic benefits which prove the industry's commitment to sustainability.

This year's winner of the ‘Cooper-Heyman’ Cup was Lafarge Aggregates Ltd in partnership with The National Memorial Arboretum Co. Ltd for the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire, exhibiting nature conservation, a contribution to biodiversity and both recreation and leisure facilities.

Additional presentations enabled members to highlight the wide range of applications and opportunities for which materials are supplied in a montage of structures, buildings and facilities which contribute to the clean, healthy and aesthetic environment which we inhabit.

BLA members were similarly pleased to entertain guests to mark this very special occasion, and celebrate the success of the industry.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact Gwil Neal by tel: 0207 9638000 or e-mail neal@mineralproducts.org

The BLA is a constituent body of the Mineral Products Association Ltd., the trade association for the aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete industries. The BLA represents the interests of six member companies, responsible for producing more than 95% of the lime sold in the UK. The BLA members are Hanson, Lhoist UK Ltd, Singleton Birch, Steetley Dolomite Ltd, Tarmac Buxton Lime & Cement UK and Totternhoe Lime and Stone Company Ltd.