DTE makes UK's longest trusses

"Super trusses" measuring more than 20m in length are believed to be the longest trusses ever manufactured in the UK, according to supplier Donaldson Timber Engineering (DTE).

DTE supplied the 4.1m-high trusses to supermarket chain Aldi, for its two new branches in Forfar and Stirling.

Aldi has previously imported trusses direct from Germany for its new UK outlets.

The Aldi supermarket roofs were required to cover 1,400m² of retail space, comprising a series of two ply truss rafters at 1250mm centres.

The trusses, manufactured at DTE's Buckhaven head office site, needed to be transported using special extendable trailers.

DTE general manager Brian Welsh said: "We developed a suitable truss design through a process of negotiation with the customer and the result really pushes truss rafter design to new limits. The sheer size of the truss presented real challenges and not many other truss manufacturers could have achieved what we did."

DTE said its Trussed Rafter Association membership and professional indemnity insurance were key factors in securing the contract from Fulcrum Construction Management Ltd.

Aldi is believed to be planning to build a further 25-30 supermarkets in the UK.