holcim uk sponsors super trowel 2026

Holcim UK is to be a headline sponsor of Super Trowel 2026, the UK’s largest masonry event and bricklaying competition, reinforcing its commitment to supporting skills and excellence across the bricklaying profession.

Image

The leading building materials supplier will provide its Masterlite aggregate blocks for competitive heats taking place at colleges across the country, with any remaining materials left on site to support apprentices’ ongoing training. Selected for their lightweight properties and dimensional consistency, the blocks enable accurate, efficient laying — both in live construction and competition settings.

Now in its fourth year, Super Trowel continues to celebrate speed, precision and craftsmanship in bricklaying, while creating a national platform to spotlight key industry priorities including skills, careers and workforce development. Holcim will also supply blocks for the Super Trowel finals, taking place from Friday 31 July to Saturday 1 August 2026 at Hertfordshire Showground, where the UK’s fastest bricklayer will be crowned.

Alongside its masonry units, Holcim will be present at the finals exhibition to engage directly with bricklayers and contractors on its wider site materials offer. These include its dry silo and ready-to-use mortar solutions and innovations such as smart silo technology, which enables remote monitoring of mortar levels and usage to support efficient site planning. As a supplier across the building process — from masonry and mortars to structural concrete — Holcim will demonstrate its ongoing work to reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials while maintaining site performance and reliability.

This year’s outdoor exhibition promises a stronger focus on education and careers, while the bigger outdoor space will accommodate more room for live demonstrations, equipment and material showcases and interactive activities from up to 200 stands. The event is looking to welcome 3,500 attendees across the two days this year.  

Ben Warren, Director of Building Products at Holcim UK, said: “Super Trowel has quickly become a highlight of the masonry calendar, and we’re proud to support its fourth year as headline sponsor. Our 100mm 7.3N Masterlite blocks will be used throughout the heats and finals — it is a lightweight aggregate block designed for easier handling and faster installation. Their consistent size, finish and workability make them ideal for helping bricklayers maintain accuracy and speed, whether on housebuilding sites or under the pressure of competition.

“What makes the event special is that it brings together every part of the bricklaying community — from apprentices through to experienced tradespeople, contractors and suppliers. It’s a real celebration of the craft and the skill that sits behind good masonry, and a great opportunity to connect with the people shaping the future of the trade.”

Image

The bricklaying competition will see 70 professional bricklayers compete across seven regional heats until 16 pros are left to battle for the title of the UK’s fastest bricklayer on 1 August. For the Super Trowel Junior competition, 70 apprentice bricklayers will also be competing across seven regional heats, with the winners and best runner up progressing to the final.

Jack Dawson, Director of Super Trowel, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Holcim UK as a headline sponsor of Super Trowel 2026. The company’s commitment goes far beyond simply supplying materials and it truly understands the level of support required to deliver a national competition of this scale, from the regional heats through to the final.

“Holcim's backing enables us to return to colleges across the country, providing high‑quality materials that not only support the competition but remain on site to help train the next generation of bricklayers. That legacy is incredibly important to us and aligns perfectly with what Super Trowel stands for.”

To find out more about Holcim’s 100mm 7.3N Masterlite blocks, visit: https://www.holcim.co.uk/products/building-products/lightweight-aggregate-blocks/masterlite-pro