Made in Essex: Milbank Concrete - Paving the Way to Net Zero

Made in Essex: How Milbank Concrete is Paving the Way to Net Zero

From low-carbon innovation to long-serving teams, Colchester-based Milbank Concrete Products is showing the construction industry what leadership really looks like. Their mission? To reach net zero across their operations by 2030 – while maintaining high performance, strong customer relationships, and deep community impact.

Reaching net zero in construction is no small feat. In this episode of Made in Essex, Jill Willis sits down with Lee Cowen, Managing Director of Milbank Concrete Products, to explore how one of Essex’s most established construction firms is balancing sustainability, innovation, and people-first leadership. Lee shares practical insights, challenges, and lessons learned from Milbank’s ambitious sustainability journey – and lifts the lid on their digital transformation, community funding, and 17-year average staff retention.

Enjoy the full conversation here 👇👇👇

Concrete Change: Reducing CO₂ Emissions by 60%

Milbank’s journey toward net zero began in earnest back in 2018, and since then the team has made major strides. “We’ve reduced our scope one and two emissions from about 950 tonnes to just over 350,” says Lee. That’s a 60% reduction – and it hasn’t happened by accident.

From switching haulage fleets to HVO fuel to developing what may be the first battery-powered concrete transporter of its kind, the company is challenging long-held industry norms. “We’re doing everything we can to remove cement from our products and put in replacement additives or fillers,” Lee explains. “But we’re also looking at our entire lifecycle – from manufacturing to delivery – to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible.”

Innovation with Purpose

To make this shift sustainable and scalable, Milbank has given innovation a seat at the board table. “We created an Innovation Director role focused on sustainable products and best-in-class manufacturing processes,” Lee explains. Their goal? To evolve the product portfolio and remove carbon without sacrificing speed or performance.

“We’re also leaning into digital transformation,” Lee adds. “We want to animate product sequencing in 3D to help customers with build methodology, clash detection, and even writing method statements.” For Milbank, technology is more than just efficiency – it’s about enhancing the customer experience and future-proofing the business.

Made in Essex Milbank Concrete Lee Cowen Paving the Way to Net Zero

People-First Culture with Impact

Milbank’s culture is grounded in loyalty and longevity. The average tenure of their installation team is 17 years, with many staff celebrating 30, even 40 years of service. “Having a strong people strategy means we can serve customers better and build industry-leading knowledge within our team,” says Lee.

Milbank is also committed to giving back. Through their Community Outreach Programme, they donate 2% of profits to local causes. As a Real Living Wage employer, they ensure fair pay not just for staff, but also contractors. “It’s just the right thing to do,” Lee says simply.

Lee Cowen was talking to Jill Willis, Director of Attract & Engage and host of the Made in Essex Podcast.

Catch the full episode here or listen wherever you get your podcasts.👇

Keep your eyes peeled for more episodes as Jill invites the county’s most tenacious and successful business leaders to lift the bonnet on their entrepreneurial stories.

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