A new trade association representing the interests of manufacturers involved in the pitched roofing industry has been formed.

The Roof Tile Association (RTA) brings together the concrete and clay tile sectors for the first time in recognition of their joint interest in promoting the benefits of pitched roofs.

Prior to the formation of RTA, the Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC) and the Concrete Tile Manufacturers Association (CTMA) worked in parallel, but often required a duplication of effort from the companies working in both materials.

RTA will include major manufacturers supplying the UK market, such as Dreadnought, Forticrete, Marley Eternit, Redland, Russell and Sandtoft.

Alex Patrick-Smith, managing director of Dreadnought and formerly Chairman of CRTC, explained: "The British and European technical standards relating to pitched roof systems tend to apply equally to both material types, so it made little

sense to have two different technical committees considering different responses. Our objective should be to ensure that the pitched roofing industry has a strong and unified influence on the direction of regulations and standards – the

formation of the RTA provides this unity."

Both the CRTC and CTMA have been working together for some time prior to the constitution of the new association being finalised – a process that was completed in early December 2013.

The new RTA will provide a forum for the industry to work with unprecedented focus on promoting pitched roofs as the natural solution for domestic architecture in the UK.