Post-Brexit SPS Inspection Facility, Larne Port

Client: Grahams Construction
End User: Department of Agriculture
Location: Larne, Northern Ireland
Products Supplied: Concrete, Mortar, Ultrabead® Poured Insulating Screed, Ultracem Cement Liquid Screed

Project Overview

Following Brexit, the UK required new permanent Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) inspection facilities to meet EU and UK regulatory requirements. Grahams Construction was appointed by the Department of Agriculture to deliver a critical new inspection hub at Larne Port, including:

• A product inspection facility
• An animal inspection facility
• A livestock inspection facility

The project was governed by strict regulatory deadlines set by both the EU and British Government, with no margin for delay and a requirement for exceptional quality, performance, and sustainability.

RTU was selected as the trusted supplier for ready mix building materials to support the delivery of this strategically important project.

The Challenge

The Larne SPS facilities demanded:

• Absolute programme certainty, with construction milestones fixed by international regulation
• High volume concrete pours across multiple buildings and extensive external yards
• A supply partner capable of delivering consistent quality at scale
• Products that would support Grahams Construction’s target of achieving BREEAM Excellent
• Strong local engagement to ensure reliability, flexibility, and rapid response

In addition, Grahams Construction required a partner who could go beyond supply by offering technical input and installation support.

“There was a timeline dictated by both the EU and British Government, so everything had to be delivered to a very high standard.”
Adam Duncan, Project Manager, Grahams Construction

The Solution

RTU delivered a comprehensive, multi-product solution, supplying materials across the full scope of works while providing technical and logistical support throughout the project lifecycle.

RTU provided:

• Low carbon concrete
• Large volume concrete for substructure, superstructure, slabs, and external yards
• Mortar across multiple construction phases
• A full supply and lay floor package, including Ultrabead® poured insulating screed - faster to install, less labour-intensive and more cost-effective than PIR or EPS boards - alongside Ultracem cement liquid screed
• Products and systems contributing towards BREEAM certification

RTU also supplied to other subcontractors, ensuring consistency and continuity across all packages.

Why RTU

RTU was selected based on a combination of service, capability, and locality to site:

• Three RTU plants supporting logistics and programme certainty
• 30+ lorries including three new lorries this year, enabling uninterrupted pours and responsive service
• Consistent supply with no disruption, even during large pours
• RTU’s new waste recycler aligned with Grahams Construction’s environmental commitments

• RTU managed the supply and installation of full flooring package, including Ultrabead® and Ultracem with hands-on site engagement
• Products approved and signed off by Grahams’ quality team

“They have a wide range of trucks and were able to facilitate big pours.”

Mark Spratt, Site Agent, Grahams Construction

“Our quality department was more than happy with the quality. I would definitely recommend RTU.”

Adam Duncan, Project Manager, Grahams Construction

The Result

• All concrete and materials delivered on time and to specification, with no supply issues
• High-volume pours completed reliably across a demanding programme
• Materials and systems supported Grahams Construction’s BREEAM Excellent ambitions
• Reduced installation time and labour costs through RTU’s flooring package with the supply and lay of Ultrabead® and Ultracem
• Strong collaboration between RTU, Grahams Construction, and subcontractors

RTU played a key role in the successful delivery of a nationally critical infrastructure project, helping ensure the UK’s post-Brexit inspection requirements were met on time and to the highest standard.