Kent-based Gallagher Group has opened a £1.5m investment in a new ready mix concrete plant in Ashford.
The facility will be able to produce a full range of concrete mixes and floor screeds, and is phase 2 of the redevelopment of the former Rimmel factory site at Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, now renamed Carlton Business Park.
Nick Yandle, Chief Executive of Gallagher Group, said: “This marks an important phase in the evolution of our Aggregates business and shows our commitment to serving the housebuilding and development community of Ashford and the surrounding area.
“We are firm believers that successful companies need to follow the market and their customers. When it comes to creating the new homes, leisure and retail opportunities and commercial development that Kent needs, Ashford is leading the way.
Commenting at the official opening of the new facility, Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “We are delighted this site has been brought back into use, not just as the base for our new Aspire Landscape Management service, but for other uses too.
“From this site Gallagher will be producing high quality concrete for a range of developments in Ashford and beyond.
“Gallagher come with a proven track record in delivering quality building, civil engineering, quarrying and property projects and it has been a pleasure to work with them on creating Carlton Business Park.
“Their investment in Ashford has transformed a former derelict factory into an important commercial site, which has created new jobs in the borough and is another example of the private sector believing and investing in Ashford.”
The concrete plant was built to a bespoke Gallagher specification by Total Batching Solutions.
The plant can produce 100m3 of concrete per hour through a single pan mixer with two loading points. Thanks to the installation of three 80 tonne silos, the plant has the capacity to produce large pours in excess of 200m3.
All the mixes are manufactured to BS EN 206 & BS EN 8500, and are fully BSI Quality Accredited, and the aggregates used will predominately be from the company’s Hermitage Quarry at Barming, near Maidstone.
As well as ready-mix concrete, the new facility will supply flowing screed, bagged
aggregates and be a transfer station for demolition material to be returned to Gallagher’s site in Maidstone for recycling.
The next phase of Carlton Business Park will see the development of 50,000ft2 of industrial warehouse units, which have already attracted strong interest from potential occupiers.
For more information on Gallagher Group and the Carlton Business Park please go to www.gallagher-group.co.uk
Great to see this new wonderful development by this great company