Ibstock
Brick, the UK’s largest brick manufacturer, yesterday (28 June 2018) welcomed
the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government The Rt Hon
James Brokenshire MP, to formally open its new factory in Ibstock,
Leicestershire.
The
leading brickmaker currently produces more than 850 million bricks a year at 20
factories across the UK.
Its
investment in this new brickworks, which is the most sustainable and efficient
of its kind, is a statement of Ibstock Brick’s commitment to support the
Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5million homes by 2020.
The new
factory, which has been named Eclipse, will more than double brick production
at the company’s Leicestershire headquarters to 190 million soft mud bricks a
year. The new factory alone will provide sufficient volume to build 10,000 to
15,000 additional new homes each year.
Opening
the factory, The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for
Communities, said: “This Government is determined to build a housing market fit for the
future, and Ibstock Brick’s new factory will play an important role in the
construction supply chain, supporting housebuilding across the country.
“Producing around
100 million more bricks a year, the site will not only support the local
economy and provide local jobs, but will also help us to build the next
generation of homes our country needs.”
The
Secretary of State was accompanied by Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West
Leicestershire.
Andrew
Bridgen MP for North West Leicestershire commented: “Ibstock Brick’s new
Eclipse factory is a significant investment in our local economy. It sends a
signal across the East Midlands, and indeed the rest of the UK, that
Leicestershire is leading the way in British manufacturing excellence. This
factory is a beacon of sustainability best practice; both in terms of its low
impacts on the environment and its connection and engagement with the local
community. I am delighted to be a part of today’s proceedings and very proud
that the Eclipse factory will bring continued growth to my constituency.”
Joe
Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Ibstock PLC, commented: “We are absolutely
delighted to welcome the Secretary of State and Mr Bridgen MP to our new
factory today. We are extremely proud of Eclipse and we welcome the opportunity
to share it with them. This is not only British manufacturing at its best; it
is proof of our commitment to support the construction sector deliver on the
Government’s ambition to build new homes and infrastructure. Our investment
will also bring significant benefits to the local economy in terms of
employment, opportunity and skills.
“We hope
that our Eclipse factory sends a powerful message to everyone in the housing
and construction supply chain that we are doing more than any other UK supplier
to meet their needs in terms of availability, quality and service.”
The new
Eclipse factory takes 21st century British manufacturing excellence to a new
level. Located on an old landfill site and close to its principal source of raw
materials, it covers an area the size of six football pitches. State of the art
robotic technology ensures precision and efficiency. Whilst innovative building
design concepts and sensitive landscaping will reduce the company’s
environmental impact and demand on natural resources.
