Five minutes with...Alex Atkinson of fibo Collect UK

How did the concept of fibo Collect take off in the UK?

My marketing business originally began by supporting fibo Intercon with the rollout of the fibo Collect concept in France and Germany. Over a few pints, I discussed the idea with my father-in-law, Stuart Cranfield, who happens to be the managing director of a highly successful building contractor in Cheshire. His interest was piqued, and in turn he introduced me to a local merchant that he deals with.

The merchant immediately recognised the potential for both concrete and mortar applications. We shared this feedback with our Danish partners, who were excited to show us their latest innovation—a self-cleaning and washing mechanism for the pan mixer. This breakthrough allowed us to produce mortar efficiently, and from there, everything took off.

That local merchant Thorncliffe Building Supplies became our first customer and is now on their third machine location. Fast forward two years, and we are operational in 11 locations across the UK and Ireland, with plans to add four more installations before the summer. What started as an idea over a casual chat down the pub has quickly grown legs.

The concept of self-service concrete is gaining traction, but what sets the fibo Collect solution apart from the rest?

I would say what makes us different is the blend of Danish innovation & quality combined with the expertise of our UK-based guys.

Technically, our machines stand out thanks to features like the self-cleaning pan mixer, washout recycling unit, hydraulic conveyor belts, and, of course, the iconic Fibo terminal. But in my opinion what truly sets us apart, however, is how we collaborate with our customers.

With our 2025 models, investing in a fibo Collect means more than just buying a machine—it’s an entry into a comprehensive business plan and turnkey solution. We’ve developed an infrastructure that provides machine owners with a complete package, including servicing, training, design support, and marketing. Additionally, we offer customers exclusive rights to their local territory, backed by the assurance of on going software updates to keep ahead of the curve - If there's one certainty in today's market, it's that technology is evolving faster than ever before.

How does the relationship between fibo Collect UK and the manufacturer fibo Intercon work?

Our company, fibo Collect UK, proudly serves as the official UK distributor for fibo Intercon. Whilst we rely on the Danish engineering team to support us with bespoke designs for customers once the machine arrives our guys are solely responsible for the set up and ensuring the machine gets off to a flying start. We have recently opened our fibo Collect South West hub in partnership with our friends over at Somerset Concrete which will become a hub for customer support and sales further south. We’re also looking at the potential to set up a hub in Scotland over the months ahead.

What’s the reaction been like from the local builders and landscapers?

The most positive response has been from local Landscapers and Groundworkers who have moved away from the old belle mixer and straight onto the collect model for their semi-dry mixes of 0.25 - 1m3. When we speak to them they tell us it's really a no-brainer as it's less hassle, less mess and saves them a load of time on site.

Builders have been slower to come round and those who have made the switch have gone from : “Never in a million years” to “Why not give it a try” to “I cant believe we ever lived without it”. The mortar this machine produces is incredibly consistent, and we’ve noticed that it’s helped our builders work more efficiently with their labourers’ time. That’s been a huge advantage, especially now when finding good labourers is getting tougher.

How important is sustainability on the fibo Collect role out plan?

Honestly, it might sound like a cliché, but this has always been one of the core reasons we started the business. The fibo Collect solution has the potential to make small load production far more environmentally friendly. Firstly, it’s a package-free approach where cement is weighed directly into the mixer with precision making way for huge reductions in waste. Also, placing machines at the heart of any community helps cut down transport miles—people can collect while heading to or from their local merchant instead of making extra trips or worse arranging deliveries.

I’m really passionate about this, and so is the manufacturer in Denmark. They’re always coming up with new sustainable solutions, like a water recycling system or the CO2 calculator. This industry has such a massive carbon footprint, so it’s very important for leaders across the supply chain to be responsible and keep pushing for greener solutions. Henrik Jeppesen the CEO at fibo is definitely one of those leaders making a real difference.