Holcim UK has provided GM4 Eco 132 ready-to-use mortar to the 15 and 18-storey No.1 Old Trafford development
Surrounded by local landmarks including the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium, and Hotel Football, the double-tower development demanded a visually unified, ready-to-use mortar finish and a supply solution capable of meeting the constraints of a constrained urban site.
From the outset, the team required a consistent, aesthetically aligned mortar that would complement the chosen Heritage brick, meet the architect’s expectations on colour accuracy and remain in keeping with buildings in the local area.
With limited ground-level space and bricklayers working continuously at height, the site also needed a mortar solution that enabled efficient lifting, storage and next-day use without risk of downtime.
Logistical obstacles at the No.1 Old Trafford development
The location of No. 1 Old Trafford posed several logistical and operational challenges.
Dual carriageways on one side and the canal on the other restricted space for material storage. Ready-to-use mortar also needed to arrive in the afternoon, be moved directly into tubs, lifted up onto mast climbers, and remain workable for bricklaying first thing in the morning.
This meant there was no tolerance for delivery delays, with any missed drops halting bricklayers working at height and creating costly disruption.
Furthermore, as a building that will be seen daily by thousands of commuters and residents, travelling football fans, even minor colour variation would have been noticeable and therefore unacceptable.
This added an extra layer of importance to the mortar colour, which not only had to be in keeping with the chosen Heritage brick, but also had to remain consistent in its pigmentation.
Holcim’s ready-to-use mortar guaranteed prime workability
Holcim provided GM4 Eco 132 ready-to-use (RTU) mortar to the No.1 Old Trafford project, selected from an on-site colour showcase and approved by the architects for its warm, light straw brown tone that complemented the Heritage brick palette.
To ensure uninterrupted progress, RTU mortar was supplied with a 36–72-hour retarder, guaranteeing prime workability when lifted to upper floors.
Daily coordination between Holcim’s internal office team and No.1 Old Trafford project managers ensured precise batching, proactive communication, and no missed morning or afternoon delivery windows.
Continuous supply was made from Holcim’s Ellesmere Port plant, strategically located to serve Manchester’s construction corridor.
These deliveries supported a smooth build sequence and enabled bricklayers to work efficiently at height in both summer and winter.
Steven Howitt, area sales manager for mortar and screed at Holcim UK, said: “This project is a stellar example of what can happen when teamwork really comes to fruition. Timings, logistics and organisation were all critical factors in making sure the build ran smoothly and to plan.
“Today, No.1 Old Trafford stands as a stunning visual example of efficient supply planning, technical precision and close contractor collaboration — seen by thousands of people each week as they enter the iconic Trafford Park.”
Sustainability considerations
Holcim incorporated several measures to reduce waste and improve efficiency throughout the project.
Pod trucks, for example, enabled multi-site “milk runs”, reducing the number of single-purpose vehicle movements. The retarder also ensured full utilisation of each batch, minimising waste material and preventing the mortar from setting prematurely.
In addition, consistent batching eliminated the risk of rejected loads or colour mismatch, reducing remediation and embodied carbon associated with rework.
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