DDS Building Supplies

RAF Manston History Museum

Lisa Baker — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:18:39 +0000

Last month, we donated our resources, collaboratively with Kings Haulage, to assist the RAF Manston History Museum in the haulage of aircraft parts. The elements, weighing tons, were lifted from the Kings Haulage vehicles using DDS Building Supplies’ hiab – our team employed a controlled, rigorously monitored method, to ensure preservation of the condition of the aircraft members – including wings and engines. The unique exhibition is due to be publicly displayed within the museum from April 2026.

Located on the former airfield of RAF Manston, the Manston History Museum occupies one of the oldest buildings still extant from 1916 – the former Royal Naval Air Service Manston. Completely self-sufficient, the museum has expanded since 1986, to approximately 100 members.

The museum traces back to its origins, showcasing the long and varied history of Manston: from First World War training equipment, through to recovered trench items and historic aircraft, including engines, cockpits and ejection seats. Through each recovered piece displayed within the exhibition, a genuine story of history is told, from World War 1 guns and munitions to Operation Black Buck memorabilia.

DDS Building Supplies Weighbridge Facility

admin — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:59:27 +0000

Providing accuracy for customers

Weighbridges, even though they are quite large in size, are actually considered precision weighing instruments.

Naturally, customers expect their purchases to provide them with value for money, whether you are collecting aggregates or tipping off waste.

Our customers are entitled to have confidence in the weighing equipment to ensure they get what they pay for. DDS have a service package in place for the maintenance of the weighbridge and calibrated!

The Ultimate Guide to Volumetric Concrete

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:42:47 +0000

There are a few different types of concrete, and in this guide, we are going to focus on volumetric concrete, giving you all the information you need to understand it.

Volumetric concrete is mixed on site at your premises, right in front of you. The main benefit of this is that it allows for last minute changes as the mix is made – this is particularly useful if there are sudden changes in weather, as concrete can be adversely affected by the elements. It’s also useful if you discover you need more or less concrete than originally thought.

Volumetric Mixer Vehicle Specification

Capable of delivering concrete at 1m3 per minute, or slower if you prefer.
Can deliver concrete.
Our Mixer are approximately 11.4 meters long and 3.2 meters wide.
We produce a wide range of concrete batched on site from C10 to C50 and you only pay for what you use.
The mix can be changed according to your needs there and then.
Each mixer carries 1 wheelbarrow which are free for you to use.
All mixers have an extension chute that can reach 5 meters from the back of the lorry giving you that extra reach if needed.
Cost effective, quick, clean and efficient with no wastage.

How it works

The first step is the design of the mix – this is done using a control panel on our trucks, where the various requirements are entered
The aggregate then flows onto a conveyor belt which takes it through the truck
Cement is added through the cement feeder – also known as a ‘sock’
Water is then added to the mixture using a small hose, then flowing into the mixing bowl
The computer measures the exact amount of aggregates, cement and water is added to the mixing bowl, the batch is then mixed using the mix auger
Once finished, the mix will flow down the chute and out of the truck. If it needs to be moved to a different location, ground or boom pumps can be connected to the truck to transport the concrete.

The computers on board these trucks allow for the most meticulous of mix designs, catering for projects of all types and scales. Once the perfect mix has been created, it can be pumped quickly and with minimal mess to the desired location. What’s more, if there are changes in circumstances or requirements, the mix can be altered at a moment’s notice – no need to worry about delays or forced downtime.

Contact us

If you’re planning a project, the next step is to calculate the amount of concrete you need. We’ve made this easy for you with our concrete calculator – once you’ve calculated your requirements, get in touch with our friendly team today and we’ll help you with the rest.

DDS Concrete Pump Service

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:21:13 +0000

DDS Building Supplies can provide a truck mounted pump to assist the volumetric concrete pour!

We asked Lisa Baker, Manager of DDS Building Supplies to explain the service:

What does the pump do?
The plant pumps concrete from the concrete mixer to the intended location up to 100 metres.

How does it help customers?
Less manpower required, lighter workload and it’s much quicker and efficient alongside keep the customers’ sites cleaner with less mess.

What kind of projects is it suited to?
All construction concrete pours, sites with restricted access, large quantities, projects working on a time-sensitive programme.

How does it help DDS Building Supplies?
We can now offer a complete package to our customers – concrete and pump.

The helpful and efficient Building Supplies team are only a phone call away, call us on 01843 820920 for all enquiries.