An engineering company from Bradwell has won a prestigious national award at this year’s Construction News Awards, beating many other entries from across the UK.
Imperial Thermal Engineering which makes specialist equipment for use on construction sites won the award within the category celebrating Best Product Innovation.
The judges paid tribute to the company’s newest product – an innovative, all-electric torch designed and made to dry roofs and roof decks on building sites. The new Etorch3 can also activate self-adhesive membranes all year round which until now has been impossible to achieve due to inclement weather. This innovation replaces the traditional gas torch and has zero emissions compared with liquid propane gas. The equipment dries roofs safely and efficiently without the risk of fire and at a fraction of the usual cost.
The torch demonstrates why innovation is key in the drive to reduce emissions and improve safety in the roofing process, with the judges saying the product “has the potential for future widespread use on construction sites of all sizes.” The panel added that it commanded the scope “for other spin-off products using the same underlying technology.”
Jonathan Forbes-Brown, Managing Director at Imperial Thermal Engineering, said: “We were overcome with emotion on receiving this award after several years of hard work in bringing this unique product to market. Our electric torch has the potential to change the industry away from burning fossil fuels across the world.”
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment at Braintree District Council, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in winning this award and in bringing this innovative new product to market. It’s wonderful seeing a local business at the forefront of developing technologies which reduce emissions in support of our environment and planet.”
A local support programme (known as I-Construct) aimed at supporting businesses within construction helped with the success of this business.
The Construction News Awards ceremony, attended by over 1,200 construction professionals, showcases and celebrates projects and people across the construction sector. Twenty-three awards were given across an array of categories in a ceremony which took place in London on 13 July 2023.
