Ibstock Brick, the UK's most successful brickmaker is powering up the future of clay products with the complete redevelopment of one of its Midlands manufacturing plants into the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly of its type in the world today.
The pioneering transformation of the plant is currently underway at the Chesterton factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, part of Ibstock’s national network of 19 brickworks.
The redevelopment will retain the existing building footprint of the original 1960s factory, but inject it with the latest kiln and brick-making technology and represents the largest investment in the region’s ceramic industry for many years.
Ibstock managing director Wayne Sheppard commented: “The vision that drives our market leading business forward is to be the hallmark of sustainable, quality bricks, produced through high efficiency manufacturing techniques.
“The redevelopment of Chesterton is a significant investment that will not only help us realise this vision today, but will also put the business in an extremely strong position to support future growth, thanks to its increased capacity, highly enhanced efficiencies and environmental performance. It is an exciting development that secures long term and high quality employment on the site.
“We have spent a considerable amount of time planning this project and have taken great care to partner with the best suppliers and specialists in the industry to create such a leading operation, that will protect 80 related-jobs locally.”
Dr Laura Cohen, Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, the Trade Association for the industry supports the redevelopment added: “We are delighted that Ibstock are making such a significant investment in a state-of-the-art energy-efficient factory. This is a vote of confidence in the future of the ceramics industry in the UK and for the Stoke-on-Trent area in particular.”