The future of drainage

ACO Technologies plc

THE ACO GROUP LEADERSHIP ASSURANCE SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTACO Water Management: - Civils + Infrastructure- Urban + Landscape

ACO Home + Garden

ACO Building Drainage

ACO Technic

ACO Sport

ACO Wildlife

ACO Technologies and its divisions

Innovation

Product development

The ACO commitment

Quality management

Product performance

Sustainable Drainage Systems

Corporate responsibility

Environmental awareness

Material development

TIMELINEThe history of ACO

25 years of ACO in the UK

CONTENTS

ACO worldwide

ACO history

Product availability

Technical and commercial support

Design centre

ACO Academy

SUCCESS

Partnerships

Sponsorship

Awards and accolades

DIVISIONS

THE ACO GROUPACO is recognised as a global leader in thedevelopment and manufacture of highperformance surface water managementsystems. With 31 production facilities and 40 operations centres spread over fourcontinents we have the human and technicalresources available to work alongside you toachieve the optimum solution whateverchallenges you face.

Founded in 1946, ACO remains a family ownedand operated company. Our diverse cultureenables us to draw on best practice from aroundthe world to provide a range of innovativeproducts and support services that set thestandard for performance, reliability and value.

ACO Technologies has been in operation in the UK for over 25 years.

ACO’s technical, manufacturing and support resources reach across theworld. From a network of regional centres our engineering and developmentteams adapt our global solutions to your needs wherever you are based.

ACO Building DrainageBedford, UK

ACO Technologies plcShefford, UK

ACO AcademyTraining facilities in Germany and the UK

ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co KGGermany

ACO AcademyGermany

ACO Severin Ahlmann GmbH & Co KGGermany

ACO Technologies plcShefford, UK

ACO Building DrainageBedford, UK

ACO AcademyUK

The Civils + Infrastructure range has pioneeredthe management of surface water and todayprovides architects, specifiers and engineerswith a complete package of integrated systemssuitable for use across the entire spectrum ofcivil engineering projects.

Through client-based research and constantinnovation, the Civils + Infrastructure divisionhas evolved from its origins in line drainage toan award-winning supplier of an unrivalledrange of products and support services thatprovide the complete and effective managementof surface water: from system design throughcollection, cleaning, storing and on-site sourcecontrol allowing the safe release of run-off backto natural watercourses.

Covering applications as diverse as retail andcommercial development to major nationaltransport and infrastructure projects, the Civils + Infrastructure range assures industry-leading sustainable drainage performance andenvironmental protection.

Building on the successes of our two Queen’sAwards for Enterprise: Innovation, the divisionhas further expanded its capabilities with thedevelopment and launch of oil separators,attenuation and infiltration tanks andstormwater control systems.

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31 ACO KerbDrain® is the firstcombined kerb drainage systemof its kind to use recycledmaterials and be independentlycertfied and Kitemarked to BS EN 1433:2002.

2 ACO StormTank offers the latesttechnology in stormwaterinfiltration and attenuation. The lightweight modular cellsystem is designed for use in a variety of applicationsincluding distribution parks,car parks, commercial andresidential developments.

3 ACO Qmax® is an award-winning continuous slotdrainage system for highcapacity drainage andattenuation. The system can cater for a wide range of applications to any loadclass, whilst delivering effective and economic surface water drainage.

4 ACO Q-Ceptor is an innovativerange of Class 1 and Class 2bypass and full retention oilseparators. The robust,compact chambers are theideal, cost effective solution fordealing with contaminatedsurface water run-off.

ACO WATER MANAGEMENTCivils + Infrastructure

Intelligent management of surface water

ACO’s ability to constantly push the boundaries of watermanagement has given architects, engineers and designers the freedom to create some of the world’s most striking andiconic structures.

Major infrastructure projects, such as Heathrow Airport’saward winning Terminal 5 have exploited ACO’s extensiveproduct range to overcome significant design challenges anddemanding aesthetic requirements with stunning results.

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31 ACO HexDrain® is a channeldrainage system made fromrecycled polypropylene andsuitable for domestic andresidential applications to Load Class A 15. Supplied asstandard with a black compositegrating, ACO HexDrain® featuresa wide range of accessories to aid installation in a variety of locations.

2 ACO RainDrain® is a domesticchannel drainage system madefrom Vienite®, ACO’s recycledpolymer concrete, and suppliedas standard with a galvanisedsteel grating. Optional ductileiron gratings can be fitted toraise the Load Class to B 125.

3 ACO HexDrain® Brickslotenhances ACO HexDrain® withthe addition of a narrow offsetslot grating, making theinstalled channel virtuallyinvisible. It can be fitted up toa building or threshold edge incompliance with BuildingRegulations Part M.

4 ACO GroundGuard is a lightweight groundreinforcement system for use with grass or gravel.Manufactured from recycledpolyethylene and rated to aload of 250 tonnes per m2, it can be used to stabilise a grassed area to provideadditional parking, or withgravel on a drive to avoidrutting and gravel dispersal.

The Urban + Landscape range is tailored to thedemands of residential and commercialdevelopments. Amongst its many application-specific products are drainage systems fordrives, level doorway thresholds and disabledaccesses, and permeable ground reinforcementsystems that can be used to create additionalparking for cars and caravans.

All products are supported by a comprehensiveselection of accessories that increase theirversatility and adaptability. Straightforward toinstall, the Urban + Landscape range iscertified and tested to the highest performancestandards for domestic and light to mediumtrafficked environments.

ACO WATER MANAGEMENTUrban + Landscape

Meeting many requirements

Products from the Urban + Landscape range can deliversignificant environmental benefits.

Many have recycled content up to 100% and are recyclable at the end of their life, while their use can assist a successfuldomestic SUDS scheme.

ACO GroundGuard, for instance, is virtually 100% porous, so there will be next to no runoff from it, while the ACOSoakAway™ system enables control of runoff from a drive in line with Building Regulations requirements.

1 The ACO Home + Garden slotdrainage systems combinehigh performance surfacewater removal with low visualimpact. Ideally suited toaesthetically sensitive hardlandscaped areas, they aredesigned to be used with allstandard domestic slab andblock paviours.

2 Adding lighting to any outdoorsetting adds unique andindividual styling. The ACOEyeleds system carries surface-mounted LED spotlights thatcan highlight individual areasor enhance the qualities ofsurrounding architecture.

3 The award-winning ACOGroundGuard permeable groundreinforcement and stabilisationsystem can be backfilled withgrass or gravel to createhardwearing, high load bearingsurfaces of any shape or size.

4 The ACO Home + Gardenrange includes special ‘carry-out’ packs that contain all the components needed tocomplete a typical residentialdrainage or landscapinginstallation such as a garagethreshold, a domestic soakawayor a stable base for a shed orout-building.

ACO Home + Garden is a new division of ACO Technologies, developing high qualitydomestic drainage and landscaping products forthe gardener, landscaper, or DIY installer.

By adapting many of the established and highlysuccessful ACO Water Management products,this new product range meets the specificdemands of the home improvement market.

Simplifying the installation process, ACO Home + Garden has developed newpackaging concepts and accessories togetherwith a host of clear technical product guidesthat help the installer achieve the highestquality professional results.

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ACO HOME + GARDEN

Designed for contemporary living

Visually striking and perfectly in-tune with modern living, theideal outdoor space adds value to any residential development.

The ACO Home + Garden range is designed to be used withthe latest hard and soft landscaping materials to createaspirational areas that blend flawlessly with their surroundings.Easy to use and install, all the products have finish optionsthat both complement and enhance the aesthetic qualities ofany setting.

1 ACO AS1001 is a stainless steelchannel from our BespokeDrainage range. The rangeoffers a wide variety of channels and gratings to meet the requirements of all applications.

2 ACO Shower Channelscomplete with ACO LightLineillumination option.Sophisticated, barrier freebathroom drainage fordomestic, hotel, commercialand leisure applications wherestyle, function and performanceare pre-requisites.

3 All ACO grease separatormanagement systems aredesigned to BS EN 1825 Part 1. Our grease separatorswill help to solve one of thegreatest drainage problemsfaced in the kitchens and foodprocessing areas - theaccumulation of fats, oils andgrease (FOGs) within thedrainage system.

4 ACO Modular 125 is astainless steel linear drainagesystem fully tested andclassified to BS EN 1433. A further development of ourexisting Modular system, itoffers improved performanceand flexibility and is suitablefor most applications.

ACO Building Drainage specialises in thedevelopment of drainage products and corrosionresistant drainage systems for applicationsacross the internal and external builtenvironments. Conceived to eliminate designrisk, to optimise installation and to minimiselifetime ownership cost, every product in therange delivers exceptional levels of performance,finish and durability.

The technical expertise, global resources andfabrication capacity within the ACO BuildingDrainage division make it possible for architects,engineers and contractors to realise the highestquality and value when selecting from ourstandard products, or when using our bespokedesign service.

ACO Building Drainage products fully exploitboth the aesthetic qualities and resilience of anumber of high performance materials includingstainless steel, polypropylene, galvanised steel,aluminum alloy, nickel bronze and gun metal.

Specialist drainage, grease management andfire-proofing systems provide safe and hygienicsolutions for hospitals, chemical production,food processing, leisure centres, laboratoriesand catering facilities.

Stainless steel decorative tree grilles, laser-cutcurved gratings and wet room drainage systemscomplement settings that demand the highestaesthetic finish.

ACO BUILDING DRAINAGE

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Balancing performance with appearance

Achieving a successful balance between the sometimesconflicting demands of appearance and performance requiresa deep understanding of capability of materials and theenvironment in which they are to be used.

Located on the bank of the River Thames, City Hall is one ofLondon’s most symbolically important buildings. Architectsrelied on the expertise and experience of ACO BuildingDrainage to create a unique stainless steel perimeter drainagesystem that could complement the sheer glass structure whileensuring the complete removal of all surface water.

Innovation has been the hallmark of ACOTechnologies’ success in the United Kingdom. A constant drive to enhance, to improve and to break new ground has established leadershipin our markets and loyalty with our customersand suppliers.

Continuous investment pushes forward thedevelopment of new materials and newproducts. Proven in their application and trustedby the architects, designers and contractors whouse them, our products are the embodiment ofour commitment and competence.

Every product range across the six divisions that make up ACO Technologies in the United Kingdom is optimised for itsapplication, delivering class-leadingperformance and reliability.

Divisions of ACO Technologies:

ACO Water ManagementTwo ranges of surface water management systems covering all load class environments:

Civils + Infrastructure: medium and heavy duty applications.Urban + Landscape: residential, landscape and light vehicle applications.

ACO Home + GardenDrainage and landscaping packages specifically designed for the UK retail sector.

ACO Building DrainageBuilt environment water management systems and architectural productsmanufactured from corrosion resistant materials.

ACO TechnicDevelopment and manufacture of high performance bespoke construction solutions.

ACO SportSpecialist drainage systems for sports arenas, recreational facilities and stadiums.

ACO WildlifeWildlife conservation products: amphibian fencing and tunnels, nest boxes, wildlife kerbs.

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41 Every ACO product range isindividually designed to deliveroptimum performance for itstargeted application.

2 State-of-the-art manufacturingprocesses such as rotationalmoulding ensure the highestlevels of product quality and consistency.

3 Within ACO’s UK R&D centre,our teams exploit the latestdesign tools and fabricationtechniques to pioneer the development of next-generation products.

4 High strength, injection mouldedrecycled polypropylene is justone of the new materials thatACO has introduced across itsrange of water management anddrainage systems.

5 Independent and rigoroustesting provides specifiers,engineers and contractors withabsolute assurance that all ACOproducts satisfy every requiredperformance standard.

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ACO LEADERSHIP

A company forged from innovation

Ground-breaking manufacturing processes, materials andtesting procedures ensure that every product ACO developssets a new benchmark for quality, performance and reliability.

All our foundries, testing and production facilities arecontinuously monitored to make sure they maintain thehighest standards of energy efficiency, safety andenvironmental protection.

Whatever the location, scale, application ortimeframe of your project, our commitment toyou remains the same: partnership from initialcontact right through the operational life of any ACO system.

Trust in the solutions we provide is the result ofour investments in leading technology, designexpertise and rigorous quality management.Unmatched in the industry, together they ensureabsolute consistency and levels of assurance.

Our products too are trusted in their application. Every system we manufacture is tested beyond the requirements of thetoughest performance standards.

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31 Precision tooling including lasercutting systems deliver thehighest levels of manufacturingaccuracy and consistency.

2 Continuous automated andmanual checks carried out atkey stages throughout allmanufacturing processes form a critical part of our BSIaccredited ISO 9001 QualityManagement System andKitemark certification.

3 Ongoing site support andtechnical assistance ensure that every ACO installationmaintains its optimumperformance throughout itsoperational life.

4 Through resourcing anationwide technical supportteam, we are able to commit towork alongside engineers andcontractors on site to makesure maximum benefit isgained from new products andinstallation techniques.

ACO ASSURANCE

Designed for the toughest applications

Formula 1 is a sport that demands, without compromise, the highest level of performance, durability and safety. Circuit designers around the world have placed their trust in ACO surface water drainage products. In pit lanes andaround track perimeters, our systems are used to quicklyremove run-off from the severest weather and prevent anybuild up of standing water.

Having the right product where you want it,when you need it is vital to the success of anyproject. ACO has the largest stocking network of any water management system supplier inthe country. It gives you the flexibility tomaximise the efficiency of your operations byworking on ‘just-in-time’ or through a long-termsupply chain agreement.

We also operate the industry’s largest and bestqualified field, technical and sales supportteams. Backed by a dedicated Design Centre atour manufacturing headquarters, our in-houseengineers can liaise directly with your site teamto resolve any challenge as quickly as possible.

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1 ACO Academy is a dedicatedtraining and personneldevelopment resource thatprovides a full range of CPDaccredited courses for architects,engineers and contractors.

2 Engineers within our UK DesignCentre have the site experienceand technical expertise to assistwith any query.

3 Through our nationwidestocking network, we have thecapability and the capacity tosupply products to meet theexact requirements of yourproject schedule.

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ACO SUPPORT

The ability to adapt to your business

The pace of change across the water management anddrainage sectors is the fastest it has ever been - so keepingup to date with legislation and with all the benefits that newsystems and advancing technologies bring with them cansometimes be difficult.

ACO Academy has developed a complete, versatile range of training resources that can be tailored to the individualrequirements of your staff and your business. Residentialcourses are complemented by the unique ACO AcademyTrailer which can bring all the latest developments directly to you through a series of compact courses that are deliveredon your premises quickly and with minimum disruption.

ACO is dedicated to upholding the highest levelsof environmental responsibility across everyaspect of its organisation. Accredited with ISO14001, we continuously strive, in partnershipwith our suppliers and customers, to improveenergy efficiency and minimise the environmentalimpact of our products and services.

ACO has pioneered the development of solutionsfor Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) andhas been at the forefront of the production of anew generation of ecologically-balanced,recycled materials such as Vienite®. We havealso founded the principles of Value Engineering– a process that drives innovation by seeking toreduce the use of materials, minimise groundinfrastructure and shorten installation times.

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41 In our efforts to minimise theenvironmental impact of ourdaily operations, all ACO staffare encouraged to continuouslyfind ways of saving energy andminimising CO2 emissions.

2 ACO’s Material DevelopmentProgramme - responsible forthe creation of the recycled andrecyclable Viente® - meets the growing demand forsustainable products madefrom locally-sourced materials.

3 The ACO Wildlife productrange, which includes toadtunnels and amphibian fencingsystems, focuses on theprotection of vulnerable specieswhose habitats are increasinglyunder threat.

4 ACO is increasing its use of low-carbon forms oftransportation as a key part of its integrated supply anddistribution operations.

ACO AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Responding to our changing climate

As weather patterns change and we experience greaterperiods of high intensity rainfall, the country’s watermanagement infrastructure has to adapt to minimise thepotentially devastating effects of flooding.

ACO is working with national bodies, regional planners and local authorities to realise a new generation ofcatchment-balanced Sustainable Drainage Systems thatembrace the latest surface water attenuation, infiltration and discharge systems.

ACO SUCCESSACO has received many awards and accoladesfrom inside and outside the construction industry.Honours such as Construction ProductManufacturer of the Year recognise ourcommitment to being a responsible organisation,

while our two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise:Innovation highlight our success in leading theindustry in its development of ground-breakingproducts that revolutionise both designphilosophies and performance expectations.

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1 ACO receives its first Queen’s Award for Enterprise:Innovation from the LordLieutenant of Bedfordshire.

2 ACO receives its ISO 14001Environmental ManagementSystems accreditationcertificate at Ecobuild 2009.

3 ACO Managing Director, RichardHill and Market DevelopmentDirector, Peter Ridgway receivethe Construction ProductManufacturer of the Year Award.

4 ACO supports a number oftraining initiatives and industryawards including the BuildersMerchants’ Trainee of the Year.

Supporting the wider community

The construction industry charity, CRASH, deals directly withthe effects of homelessness - an issue that is ever present inall areas of the country and one that can have far reachingeffects on both individuals and communities.

ACO has been a patron of CRASH for many years, workingalongside fellow industry organisations to reduce the impactof the problem through fundraising, product donations andvolunteer support.

Richard Hill – Managing Director

“In the quarter century since ACO established itsUK operation we have witnessed unprecedentedchange across our industry. We have adaptedand evolved over this time, but at the heart of ourorganisation the founding principles of both ourfounder, the late Severin Ahlmann, and ourchairman, Hans-Julius Ahlmann, remainunaltered and as strong as ever.

“By ensuring we have a deep understanding ofour markets we have been able to fully embracechange, using it to fuel creativity and tochallenge convention. It has led us to establisha reputation for innovative, high qualityproducts and has been behind the many awardsand accolades we have received.

“Alongside celebrating this landmark anniversarywe are looking to the future. Our products andsupport services have developed to reflect thebroader specialisations of surface watermanagement. These areas of expertise havenow been brought together in one new division:ACO Water Management.

“It is an important step in the development ofour organisation. It mirrors our ambition to leadthe development of next-generation solutionscapable of meeting the toughest environmentaland performance specifications.”

ACO TECHNOLOGIES CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Established in the UK for 25 years

1976ACO broadens its horizons –the ACO Group is born.

The company opens its firstproduction sites outsideGermany in Austria andSwitzerland.

A symbolic breakthrough: the Munich Olympic Games.

ACO wins the prestigiouscontract to supply a range ofproducts to the Olympicstadium. ACO systems havebeen specified on everyOlympic stadium since withthe exception of Moscow.

ACO becomes market leaderin channel drainage.

Its pioneering development ofpolymer concrete drainagesystems moves ACO into newmarkets and onto large-scalespecialist construction projects.

ACO flourishes and invests innew manufacturing facilities.

The company expands itsproduct range with pre-fabricated garages anddrainage channels made fromfibre reinforced concrete boards.

Severin Ahlmann foundedACO in Rendsburg, Germany.

Working in concrete, thecompany produces a range ofcivil engineering components,sanitaryware and windows.

ACO invests in the UK.

The ACO Group establishes its UKdivision, ACO Technologies plc inShefford, Bedfordshire. Major R&D andmanufacturing facilities lead newproduct development for the Group.

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• Second Queen’s Award for Enterprise:Innovation for ACO Qmax®

• ACO Technologies named Construction ProductManufacturer of the Year 2006

• Civils 2006 Innovation Awards: Best NewProduct, for ACO Qmax®

• Recognised for ‘Innovation and Achievement’by the Construction Products Association

2006

R&D teams from Germany and the UKworked together on the design anddevelopment of ACO HexDrain®.

A major programme for the ACO Group,this innovation in plastic channel drainagesaw over 1.3 million euros invested in adedicated manufacturing facility.

19842010

ACO becomes first manufacturer tosupply a complete range of surfacewater management systems with thelaunch of high performance oilseparators, stormwater infiltrationand attenuation systems, and vortexflow controls.

2004

The launch of ACO Qmax®:a revolutionary highcapacity slot drainage andsurface water attenuationsystem that promotes thebenefits of SustainableDrainage Systems (SUDS)and Value Engineering.

2008

Launch of Vienite®, ACO’s high strength recycledmaterial and ACO MultiDrain™ PPD, the nextgeneration of high quality, general purpose channeldrainage systems.

2001

The innovative concept of a moulded one-piece drainagesystem, introduced by ACO, isextended to all highways andindustrial applications with thelaunch of ACO RoadDrain®.

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ACO Technologies celebrates its 25th year in the UK

2010

ACO Technologies plc

ACO Water Management- Civils + Infrastructure- Urban + Landscape

ACO Home + GardenACO Building DrainageACO TechnicACO SportACO Wildlife

ACO Water ManagementACO Business Park, Hitchin Road,Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TE

Tel: 01462 816666Email: technologies@aco.co.uk

www.aco.co.uk

ACO Building DrainageACO Business Centre, Caxton RoadBedford, Bedfordshire, MK41 0LF

Tel: 01462 816666E-mail: buildingdrainage@aco.co.uk

www.acobuildingdrainage.co.uk

The ACO Group. A strong family you can depend on.