AG Paving and Building Products (AG), a family-owned manufacturer with more than 65 years of experience, has been named winner of the Responsible Product/Service Award at the 2025 Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland.

Organised by Business in the Community NI (BITC), the Awards celebrate organisations that go beyond profit to deliver positive impact for society and the environment. Thirteen winners were recognised at a black-tie ceremony at ICC Belfast, hosted by Mark Simpson and Sarah Travers.

In one of the most competitive categories of the evening, AG triumphed over some of the UK and Ireland’s most high-profile organisations, including Coca-Cola HBC, Energy Saving Trust, Express Merchants, McShane Packaging, Clickclick Video Marketing Ltd and Suki Tea Makers, to take home the top prize.

The award recognised AG’s pioneering Woodward Low Carbon Masonry Facing Brick, which offers a 46% reduction in embodied carbon when used in place of traditional clay bricks, without compromising on durability, aesthetics or affordability. Judges described the product as ‘a uniquely sustainable product that combines innovation, commerciality and market interest to drive carbon reduction in construction.’

Developed as a next-generation alternative to clay and concrete bricks, the Woodward range was designed to address the urgent need for lower-carbon construction solutions without compromising on quality or cost.

The product incorporates a frog depression to improve stability and build speed. It is manufactured using low-energy processes and supplementary cementitious materials to reduce cement content, and is produced using 100% harvested rainwater and renewable electricity. Aggregates are sourced from AG’s own quarry restoration project to lower transport emissions, while Enduur 1 concrete technology enhances strength, UV resistance and hydrophobic performance. The company has also published third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across the range, ensuring full transparency for customers.

The impact of this innovation has already been significant. Each home built with 8,000 Woodward bricks achieves a carbon saving of 1,968 kilograms of CO₂ compared with traditional clay alternatives. AG has achieved a 54.5% reduction in its overall carbon emissions since 2019, as of 2024, and supplied more than £9.3 million worth of Woodward bricks across the UK and Ireland in 2024 alone.

Contractors report faster build times and minimal wastage on site, while developers highlight the reduced carbon footprint and affordability as key benefits. Homeowners also benefit from enhanced energy efficiency and lower bills. The company’s commitment to sustainable practices has been recognised with Platinum status in the 2023 and 2024 NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey.

AG’s success at the Awards was not limited to its product innovation. The company was also shortlisted for the Responsible Business Ambassador Award, sponsored by SSE Airtricity, in recognition of HSEQ Manager, Cathy Maguire. Cathy’s shortlisting highlights her leadership in embedding sustainability, wellbeing and safety across AG’s operations, as well as her work to promote responsible business practices throughout the wider construction sector and local community.

Speaking about the achievement, Stephen Acheson, CEO of AG Paving and Building Products, said:

“To be recognised alongside some of the UK’s leading businesses is an incredibly proud moment for AG and a powerful validation of the vision, dedication and expertise of our entire team. The Woodward Low Carbon Facing Brick represents our ambition to redefine sustainable construction, combining cutting-edge innovation with practical, low-carbon solutions that are accessible to builders, developers and homeowners alike. Cathy Maguire’s shortlisting as Responsible Business Ambassador further highlights the exceptional talent, leadership and commitment within our business that drive positive impact, inspire change and make our purpose a reality every day.”

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Responsible Business Awards. Run in partnership with key sponsor Henry Brothers and event partner Fujitsu, along with media partners Ulster Business and U105 and communications partner Lanyon Group, the Awards remain the only programme in Northern Ireland dedicated solely to recognising responsible business.

Commenting on the winners, Vicky Davies, Chair of BITC and Chief Executive of Danske Bank, said:

“These Awards provide a platform to showcase and celebrate the most innovative and inspirational responsible businesses. As the only Awards dedicated to responsible business in NI, this is a unique opportunity for leaders in all areas of corporate responsibility to be recognised and rewarded for going beyond profit to be a force for good for society and the environment, and it serves as a way to inspire others to follow suit.”

For more information on the Awards and the full list of winners, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/awards.

Pictured L-R: Rodney Davidson, Sales Director (Ireland), AG Paving and Building Products / Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director, BITC NI / Erin Costen, Head of Marketing + PR, AG Paving and Building Products / John Thompson, Safety & Corporate Responsibility Manager, Translink