Built to last: Talking service and maintenance with Henry Robinson-Moore

Founded in 1977, Rubb UK is approaching its 50th anniversary in business. As we near this milestone, the importance of maintaining and extending the life of our buildings is more relevant than ever.

“You don’t make it that long in this industry without knowing what you’re doing,” says Henry Robinson-Moore, Service and Maintenance Manager for Rubb UK.

Henry’s role is central to ensuring our galvanised steel-framed, PVC-clad structures continue to deliver value for decades. “We’ve been going for nearly 50 years in this country, and our buildings are built to last,” he explains.

“Reactive maintenance is a big part of my job: when a client calls with an issue, we investigate, quote, and repair. But our Rubb Service Plan, which is planned maintenance, keeps costs down and buildings in top condition.” As part of the Service Plan, Henry’s team will inspect the building, perform minor repairs or re-tensioning, and provide a discounted quote for any larger works.

Designed for confidence

Designed to British standards, our custom buildings have a reputation for quality. “They’re over-engineered; that’s why they last so long. The frames are hot-dip galvanised steel, and I’ve never come across one that’s rusted. They come with a 25-year anti-corrosion guarantee,” Henry notes. “PVC sheets have a life expectancy of around 20 years, but I’ve seen originals still going strong after 30 or 35 years.”

Henry’s go-to example is the Port of Tilbury, where Rubb’s history stretches back over three decades. “We’ve got a dozen buildings there, ranging in size. One building was dismantled and left in a field for six years, but with new sheets and fixings it looks and performs brand new. 35 years old and still being used for daily operations,” Henry recalls.

“All our buildings are modular. They can be moved, extended, reconfigured. Smart businesses take advantage of that.”

Smart and safe

Collaborating with the customer is key. “For planned works, we liaise closely with the company’s health and safety team to ensure everything is done safely and with minimal disruption.”

Henry’s team is also committed to minimising downtime. “We worked with CHEP in Scotland to determine the least disruptive route for the re-sheet of their production building. We ended up doing the job in sections so they could keep operating and avoid any downtime. They really appreciated that.”

A lot of my role is working with people that use our buildings every day. By the time my team is called in, their Rubb buildings have probably been on site longer than most of their staff. They’re central to their businesses, so we need to do right by them.

Rubb UK, Service & Maintenance Manager
Henry Robinson-Moore

Buying local

Our commitment to quality extends to our supply chain. “We manufacture our own steelwork and cladding on site, galvanise locally, and source doors and contractors from North East companies. Supporting local businesses is really important to us; we wouldn’t do any different as a North East manufacturer,” Henry says. “We’re Made in Britain® certified, so you know what you’re buying with our custom buildings.”

“We’ve been on the same site in Gateshead’s Team Valley for nearly 50 years now,” Henry continues. “I joined the team in 2017, and it’s never been a chore to come to work. We collaborate for success. Our site and production teams are committed to delivering a great product, again and again.”

As we near our 50th anniversary, Henry’s focus on service and maintenance is more important than ever. “We have thousands of Rubb buildings up and down the UK that are all are designed to last, so how we manage them over time is crucial. With planned maintenance, we help our customers get the most from their investment—year after year.”

Read more about our service and maintenance solutions