"EVERYONE IS SO WELCOMING"
Carrie Kinsville is the newest member of the Bluebay team, taking on the role of Technical Sales Manager since June. Professionally ambitious and with an infectious personality, Carrie is already making an impact in spreading the Bluebay name throughout the South East.
Here she tells us how she’s settling in and why working at Bluebay is a breath of fresh air.
“Everyone is so lovely and welcoming”
I’m so happy to be working here - the people are amazing with everyone helping one another, it really stands out for me.
There is a different environment here; Bluebay isn’t hierarchy driven, everyone simply works as a team and that’s helped me settle in quickly and jump on new leads straight away.
My favourite part of the job so far is meeting new people and finding solutions for them - often for things they didn’t realise they needed a solution for! A big part of my days is listening to people on site, hearing what products they use, and then finding a way to integrate our extensive portfolio in a way that surpasses their current circumstances.
A glowing reputation
What has been quite remarkable is the positive conversations I’ve had; everyone has been open to speaking to me and a lot of that is down to Bluebay’s excellent reputation; potential clients have been impressed by everything they’ve seen.
I’ve worked in construction since 2018, before that I worked in education as an apprenticeship appraiser as well as in pastoral care. It was my sister-in-law who helped me see that at heart I was a natural saleswoman - I was basically speaking to companies and encouraging them to take on as many apprenticeships as they could!
I’ve always been driven to try new things and feel like I thrive in a busy environment, I’m incredibly competitive (mainly with myself) and I’m always striving to be better; there’s no greater feeling than building up relationships with customers and then seeing the impact it has on the business, it’s a real high and it bonds you with your colleagues who are all working towards the same thing.
Made for the job
I moved from education to being a site accommodation and welfare officer which fused my pastoral experience with the world of construction. I quickly got promoted to look after external accounts and after roles at Elliots, Nationwide Platforms and SIG plc. With that experience, I’m confident I can make a real impact here at Bluebay too.
Outside of work, life is busy with a husband, two teenagers plus a raft of animals. We have Snoop, our three-year-old German Shepard and Belle the cat among others - looking after everyone takes up most of my time - as well as being a mum taxi.
I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in at Bluebay every day. A friend recently pointed out that I look really happy and a lot of that’s charged by working in a place that’s friendly – a place in which I can thrive.
I’m hopeful I can make a positive contribution in spreading the Bluebay name even further afield, it’s a pleasure to do for a company that has an unbeatable reputation.
"WE CAN’T WAIT TO SPREAD THE WORD IN THURROCK"
Joe Underwood is a positive force to be reckoned with. Boasting five successful years at Bluebay under his belt already, Joe has recently been promoted from Regional Sales Manager South East to Branch Manager of the company’s new depot in Thurrock. Here, Joe tells us all about his passion for the business and the difference he and his team are planning to make in the South East from their impressive new hub.
“I love working at Bluebay – I’ve been with the company for just over five years and I’m passionate about our products, our people, and what we can offer the industry. Obviously, I’m delighted with my recent promotion and the move to our new base in Thurrock couldn’t come at a better time. Bluebay has seen quite a few changes this year and all for the better. We have so much to offer the South East area and our new hub will give us the power to really reach our potential and go above and beyond for our customers.
“I’m used to being on the road and have spent much of my time visiting our customers from our Luton depot, but we’ve grown so much over the past few years that we need the additional capacity at Thurrock and it’s a very exciting time for everyone involved.
“I’ve been lucky enough to get our products out there on big projects such as HS2 and I have the skillset to advise engineers on exactly what products we can offer as their best solution. That’s what drives me I guess – finding the answer to our customers requests via our large offering and knowing we’re providing quality products that will deliver time and time again.
“I’m also very excited to be working alongside my new colleagues – there are six of us based out of Thurrock now and we’re all as passionate as each other to get Bluebay out there and support contractors and suppliers across London, Essex, Kent, and the wider South East.
“Hopefully as we grow our name in the South East new customers will appreciate my dedication and speed as much as those I’ve already built a rapport with during my regional sales manager role days. I’m proud to be known as reliable and extremely fast to respond to queries – which in turn means I provide solutions in a super quick turnaround.
“To be honest, the quality of Bluebay’s offerings makes my life so much easier! We manufacture our own waterproofing ranges, we’ve produced specialist grouts for HS2 and we’re super flexible and if we can offer something bespoke, we’ll go above and beyond to deliver. The Bluebay team know we have access to extremely high-quality products that our customers can rely on, and we can’t wait to spread the word further in the South East now we’re at home in Thurrock.”
BLUEBAY LINKS UP WITH MAPEI TO EXPAND CUSTOMER RANGE
We’ve continued to expand our product portfolio this month, adding more distinguished brands to our range – including Mapei UK.
Mapei is a specialist in ceramic and stone installation products and this article, Viktor Peller of the company shares his thoughts on the collaboration, and how working with Bluebay is instrumental in expanding their growth within the UK market
We’re delighted to be collaborating with Bluebay and broadening our reach through their extensive customer base. We’re committed to working with companies whose professionalism and commitment to quality align with our own, and so the Mapei - Bluebay collaboration is a perfect fit.
A time of expansion
We’ve recently scaled up our operations in the UK through the acquisition of Wykamol, a British manufacturer specializing in waterproofing and property renovation solutions, meaning we can widen our offering to include damp proofing, structural waterproofing, and structural repairs alongside our already comprehensive range of construction chemicals.
Through our partnership, Bluebay clients now have access to an expanded range of Mapei products, including advanced waterproofing solutions from the Wykamol acquisition. This means more comprehensive options for their construction needs, backed by Mapei's technical support and innovation.
Shared values
Our partnership with Bluebay marks a significant step in Mapei UK's mission to provide innovative and sustainable construction solutions. We are committed to working with like minded companies who share our goals of sharing technical expertise. Bluebay has a deep understanding of construction products and their applications which is paramount. They also apply efficient logistics and maintain product availability backed up with excellent customer service.
It’s a hive of activity at Mapei, and this new collaboration is testament to that. We’re continually looking to evolve our own range and support our suppliers in building a future where quality and efficiency set new industry standards.
One key solution we’re excited to deliver is the Mapetherm External Wall Insulation (EWI) System. It’s a complete, BBA-certified system offering improved thermal performance and long-term durability, ideal for both refurbishment and new-build applications.
We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Bluebay and are excited about the possibilities this partnership brings. Our combined expertise and resources are poised to deliver exceptional value to the construction industry across the UK.
SOLCO: HOW WE BUILT OUR OWN BRAND – AND WHY IT’S BECOME A BLUEBAY SUCCESS STORY
One of the biggest success stories at Bluebay Building Products has been the creation and growth of our own brand – Solco.
In this blog, our colleague Paul Thomas shares the story behind the range – how it started, why we created it, and how it’s grown to become a major part of what we do.
At the heart of the UK’s construction industry, Bluebay Building Products has emerged as a trusted supplier of specialist building materials. Founded with a vision to provide high-quality solutions for civil engineering and construction projects, Bluebay quickly established itself as a leader in the field. With a dedicated team and a commitment to innovation, the company expanded its reach, operating from multiple depots across the country.
At Bluebay, we stock thousands of brilliant products that help our clients across multiple sectors. From construction and civil engineering to infrastructure we work with clients to help them create resilient, high-performance buildings and developments, with world-class manufacturers such as Mapei, Tarmac, and many more high on our supplier list.
As Bluebay grew, we recognised the need for a specialised brand that could cater to the evolving demands of the industry. Thus, Solco was born - a brand focused on delivering cutting-edge solutions in structural waterproofing, gas protection, and building chemical technologies. Solco became synonymous with reliability, offering bespoke products tailored to the needs of architects, engineers, and contractors.
With a strong emphasis on technical expertise, Solco provided, and taking this leap helped us take full control over costs, pricing, and – crucially – market positioning. It allowed us to innovate, improve efficiency, and offer our clients quality solutions that we fully believed in.
What started with a single product has since evolved into a widely recognised and trusted brand. Now accounting for around 40% of Bluebay’s total supply, the range includes:
- SOLSHIELD – Advanced Gas/DPM protection systems
- SOLSHEET – A robust range of Type A waterproofing membranes
- SOLCOURSE – Damp proof course systems
- ACTITEX – Bentonite waterproofing technology
- SOLSEAL – Liquid applied waterproofing systems
- SOLDRAIN – Wall and floor drainage systems, Gas venting Blankets.
- SOLCEM – Cementitious grouts and repair mortars
These solutions have been used on landmark projects across the UK – including major infrastructure schemes like parts of HS2 – testament to their quality, reliability, and performance on site.
Of course, we still proudly supply a range of third-party products too. In fact, around 60% of our total offering comes from established external brands. That’s important – it means we can offer customers real choice, competitive pricing, and products tailored to their needs – all underpinned by quality assurance.
But Solco remains a central part of the Bluebay story – a brilliant example of how bold thinking and a commitment to doing better for our customers can drive real innovation. Today, it’s much more than just a product range. We continue to evolve Solco by working closely with our clients to deliver added value with our extensive services which include:
- Service Levels: High levels of service, prompt delivery times and flexibility ensures lead times are kept to an absolute minimum, which enables customers to meet tight deadlines and reduce costs
- Technical Advice: Our Bluebay technical team offers technical advice on the range of Solco products that we offer.
- Site Support: Provided to ensure specifications are met and products are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Installation: We can arrange for an experienced third party team of installers to undertake the work, including welded joints for membranes. Installers carry full PI and Warranties covering design and workmanship.
- CAD Facilities: We can also assist in bespoke project details to suit site requirements - and our standard installation can be downloaded in CAD format.
- Integrity Testing: We can arrange third party integrity testing of liners for Gas Membranes, Suds Tanks Liners, Waterproof Membranes, Containment Membranes and Pond Liners.
- CPD Seminars: Designed to provide critical up-to-date information on the latest building regulations and guidance affecting those in the construction sector, these seminars are presented by our brilliant, qualified technical advisors, offering advice and support for architects, engineers or specifiers
- Verification: We provide recommendations for companies who can fulfil all third party verification requirements.
The high standards we set ourselves are also reflected in our relationships with employees, customers and suppliers, with interactions at all levels characterised by trust, respect and reliability. If you’d like to learn more about the Solco range, click here or get in touch – we’d be happy to talk you through it.
WE'RE PROUD ASSOCIATE SUPPORTERS OF NATIONAL CHARITY, BAND OF BUILDERS
As soon as we heard about the heartening work of Band of Builders, we knew we had to be involved. Originally founded in 2016, it soon evolved to become an official charity in 2019, helping members of the construction community in their hour of need.
Here we speak to Andy Taylor, Partnerships Director at the charity about the incredible work they're doing, and why partnerships such as ours play an integral role in helping them achieve their goals
Band of Builders started out in 2016 when our founder Adam Smith set out to help his friend Keith Ellick – a colleague who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. We put a request on social media asking for assistance from people in the trade to help renovate Keith’s house and were completely overwhelmed with the response of people all wanting to help.
Keith’s house was soon completed, and nine years on from that single social media post, we’re approaching our fiftieth project which is a real milestone for us.
We’ve since grown into a community of people across the construction industry – each of whom is committed to helping a fellow worker at a time when they need it the most. Over the years, one of the most amazing things is that people rarely volunteer once and over the years we’ve had people coming back annually to help us.
We’re also here to support mental health through our 24/7, 365 days a year helpline. I think it’s fair to say there’s a lot of bravado between men – especially in this industry – so this support is vital. People are often suffering behind the scenes and no-one would have any idea, we want people to know there is always support available to them.
Spreading the word
That is why endorsement from Bluebay is so integral to us in reaching as many people as possible. Bluebay has so much reach across the country with many depots and customers - this reputation and standing opens a lot of potential to help even more people. We’re incredibly grateful to have their support; we’re still a relatively small charity with just three full time staff as we want to be able to help as many people as possible – that’s quite simply our goal.
Bluebay’s support helps us complete the huge variety of jobs we are faced with. These can be anything from making accessible bathrooms and kitchens, wheelchair ramps, cabins and even complete home renovations.
Changing lives
It’s sobering to hear how quickly people’s lives can change which is why we’re so passionate about delivering life enhancing projects. We were able to increase the footprint of this man’s bathroom making it more accessible for him to use - quite literally transforming his day-to-day life.
We’re hoping to complete ten projects this year, in places where we can have the biggest impact on people’s lives across the UK. In addition to the physical construction work and mental health helpline, we also provide financial welfare grants. These help people in a time of need when their van may have broken down or their tools have been stolen.
We find many in the construction industry live from job to job, so an unexpected cost can completely derail them - this initial financial support is a way to help them through it with the added support of the helpline.
We’re grateful to have Bluebay on board, they interface with so many people in the industry and can help build awareness of the work we do. We find holding ‘Big Bru’ events at building sites and merchants yards are a great organic way to raise awareness and start conversations. We find our helpline the busiest between midnight and 2am with loneliness a huge factor, so our overacting message is for people to know they are never alone and that our support is there.
We look forward to helping more people with continued support from Bluebay and our wonderful community by our side.
EMMA WARD JOINS BLUEBAY AS SALES DIRECTOR – AS GROWTH CONTINUES UNDER NEW MD
Bluebay Building Products – a leading independent UK distributor of specialist civil engineering and construction materials – has announced the appointment of Emma Ward as Sales Director.
In her new role, Emma will support Bluebay’s clients nationwide, bringing over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. She has previously worked on high-value projects with organisations including Eternal Construction Group and Travis Perkins, earning a strong reputation for client delivery and commercial growth.
Commenting on her appointment, Emma said: “I’m excited to join Bluebay at such an important time in the company’s journey. With a fantastic team and an impressive portfolio of products, I look forward to contributing to Bluebay’s growth and further strengthening our position in the market. The opportunity to work alongside such experienced and dedicated professionals is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to help take the business to the next level.”
Her appointment is the latest step in a period of strategic expansion for Bluebay. Earlier this year, Lucy Furnival was appointed Managing Director, following the business’s acquisition in January by Wolseley Group. Bluebay now operates within Wolseley’s Infrastructure division and is investing in its services, people, and national reach.
Lucy commented: “We’re in an exciting period of growth and since my appointment, we’ve already created new jobs, welcoming new colleagues to the team, expanding our expertise and strengthening our presence across the country.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Emma on board – her depth of experience and passion for our industry make her a fantastic fit for Bluebay. Her leadership will be key in driving forward our sales strategy as we continue to grow. We’re proud to have a team of 50 dedicated professionals across our depots in Cardiff, Luton, Gateshead, and Warrington – all of whom are committed to delivering the high-quality service and specialist support Bluebay is known for.”
Added Emma: “I am so excited to be working under Lucy, we share so many values and she is undoubtedlya strong, forward-thinking female leader. I’m really looking forward to what we can achieve together.”
Bluebay Building Products distributes a portfolio of more than 2,000 specialist products for civil engineering and construction projects across the UK. The business operates nationally with depots in Cardiff, Luton, Gateshead, and Warrington.
“I CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ON MY NEW CHALLENGE”
We’re delighted to welcome Georgie Clarke to the Bluebay team as our new External Sales Manager. In this blog, Georgie shares her career journey so far – and what she’s looking forward to most in her new role.
I’ve worked in the construction industry for more than a decade now, focusing mainly on roofing and new build specification in the South of the UK. I spent five years with BMI before relocating to the North West, where I joined Glidevale for a short time before making the exciting move to Bluebay.
Now, I’m thrilled to be part of the team here. It’s a really exciting time for the business – following its acquisition by the Worsley Group and the appointment of Lucy Furnival as Managing Director – and I knew I wanted to be part of that journey. I’ve joined as Technical Sales Manager for the North West and I’m looking forward to working closely with our brilliant Sales and Technical teams to deliver solutions that genuinely benefit our customers.
What I find most rewarding is building long-term relationships with clients and supporting them with expert advice that drives success. I’m excited to bring my experience to this role and to grow alongside the business.
The role of women in construction
Lucy’s appointment as Managing Director also highlights the growing role of women in our sector. While the construction industry has made great strides in recent years towards becoming more inclusive, there’s still more work to be done – and Lucy is a fantastic example of how far we’ve come. She’s an inspiring figure for people like me, and a great representative for women in leadership roles.
To continue building a more inclusive industry, I believe we need to invest in key areas like mentorship and support networks for women, which offer guidance and create real opportunities for advancement. Promoting flexibility is also vital, as it makes our sector more accessible – especially for women balancing multiple responsibilities. And we need to shout louder about the wide range of career paths available. There’s a place for women at all levels of this fantastic industry.
Ultimately, creating a culture that champions diversity, celebrates talent, and supports work-life balance will go a long way towards making construction a place where women not only join – but thrive.
I think Bluebay has lots of that, with great people and a great environment that I can’t wait to throw myself into.
BLUEBAY SUPPLIES PRODUCTS FOR THE HS2 COPTHALL GREEN TUNNEL
The Copthall Green Tunnel is an impressive 880-metre tunnel being constructed by Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV) as part of HS2. Located within the London Borough of Hillingdon, the tunnel sits between the twin-bored Northolt Tunnel and the Colne Valley Viaduct. It is one of five green tunnels on the HS2 route – shallower tunnels that will be finished with trees, plants, and shrubs on top, helping them blend into the natural landscape. Building on our longstanding experience on HS2, we’re supplying Bluebay products here, as Lucy Furnival explains.
It’s amazing to think of the places our products end up, with projects all over the country, including on HS2.
This particular focus is on the Copthall Green Tunnel. As one of five shallower green tunnels on the HS2 route, its ‘cut and cover’ design significantly reduced the movement of soil, and approximately 1.21 million cubic metres of excavated material were kept on site for reuse within the tunnel surroundings – ensuring a greener and better visual integration of the railway into the surrounding landscape.
SCS’s role on the project was to construct a rigid concrete box structure within a 20-metre-deep cutting, which ultimately formed the green tunnel for the HS2 trains. This was constructed using steel reinforcement and in-situ concrete to form the base, walls and roof of the structure. Civil engineers on the project, Kilnbridge, installed two products from Mapei – the Mapeproof AL AP system and the Mapeproof AL 1200 AP system to the base and walls – each provided by our team at Bluebay.
This followed comprehensive compliance testing, design input, and commercial and technical site support throughout all phases, provided by Bluebay and Mapei’s UK and international teams. Particular attention to detailing was vital – taking into account requirements for buildability, piles, joints, continuity and compatibility at interfaces, changing environmental conditions, and the need for long design life and minimal maintenance.
The tunnel specification included the Mapeproof AL AP System, a pre-applied, fully bonded, self-adhering HDPE waterproofing membrane, selected as the primary external tanking waterproofing system to receive the poured concrete for the tunnel slab. Cold-applied and requiring no heat or naked flames, the membrane creates completely watertight seams prior to the installation of steel reinforcement and poured concrete. No protective layer is required, other than a temporary peel-off protection film which is removed before steel fixing. Once the concrete is poured, the system is fully bonded and prevents water from migrating laterally between the foundation structure and the membrane.
The post-applied self-adhering version, Mapeproof AL 1200 AP, was then lapped onto the pre-applied membrane and continued upwards for the cast tunnel and ventilation shaft walls. Mapei’s Polyfond Kit Drain – a robust, cuspated HDPE membrane laminated with a polypropylene needle-punched nonwoven geotextile – was also used to protect the membrane against backfilling works.
Tunnel joints were further protected against potential water ingress with the Idrostop Multi re-injectable hose system and Idrostop preformed hydrophilic acrylic polymer profile strips.
Mapeproof AL AP System provides a robust membrane is highly resistant to both puncturing and tearing. It can be applied underneath foundations, on formworks (precast), against diaphragms, soldier pile walls, pile walls or other excavation structures. Find out more about it, and all of our products, here.