SUNDERLAND: Oaklands Environmental, the manufacturer of sustainable drainage systems, has joined Unimer, the UK's largest merchants' co-operative.

"We are proud to announce our new supplier status," said John Goodwin, the company's sales manager.

"Supplier membership of Unimer provides us with the platform to actively market our products through the UK builders' merchant sector.

"Unimer, is recognised as one of the leading organisations in its field," Mr Goodwin said, adding that "it can take time for the supplier-merchant relationship to develop.

"Membership of Unimer will give confidence to the merchant sector to deal with Oaklands Environmental, a company that is fast becoming a major supplier in the sustainable products market."

"We were accepted by Unimer for the right reasons," Mr Goodwin said. "We have spent a great deal of time and investment to develop our product range. We want to keep our range both innovative and sustainable and the quality and diversity that our products offer is testimony to our efforts.

"Because our ranges are innovative and manufactured from high density polyethylene, we can offer the market products that are different from many currently available," he stated.

"Oaklands Environmental is a specialist in providing ' sustainable solutions'," Mr Goodwin commented. "We also recognise that every solution can be different. What we have to offer are quality products backed by technical expertise from our sales and technical team who have combined experience in the builders' merchant and construction market and a wealth and depth of knowledge in environmental management systems from wastewater treatment through to storm water management" he pointed out.

Oaklands is planning several product launches for 2011 to supplement the company's Aquarius Rainharvesting, Geoceptor Bypass Separator, Stormpod Attenuation and Modulus package treatment plants. Additional rainwater harvesting systems and a range of grease treatment products are also in the pipeline.