Breedon Cement & Products has announced that it is investing £5 million in a new concrete tile plant at its factory in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in 2023.
The existing facility was originally built by the Lagan Group in 1995. Strong housing markets both in Ireland and GB mean that demand has now more than doubled compared to the levels of 1995.
The new plant will have capacity to produce up to 22 million tiles while also allowing the business to increase the range of tile profiles it manufactures.
Managing Director Jude Lagan welcomed the announcement, and said it highlights the Breedon Group’s willingness to invest heavily in direct response to market demand: “Our new Concrete Roof Tile Plant will be welcomed by the industry as it is a direct and timely response to rising demand.
“It demonstrates Breedon’s confidence in the market going forward, as well as its desire to continue working closely with builders’ merchants and roofing specialists to give them the products they require.
“The new plant should come on stream in mid to late 2023 and will see an uplift in production volumes from 11 million to around 22 million tiles per year. Breedon prides itself on responding quickly to our customers’ needs so we’re pleased to say that the new plant also will enable the business to offer lower pitch tiles going forward to meet the growing requirement in the UK for this type of product.”
The new plant is also seen as important in helping Breedon Group’s drive to net zero, both in terms of the thermal efficiency of Breedon’s products, and carbon footprint, as Lagan pointed out: “Once our new roof tile factory is commissioned, we will see a significant reduction of emissions from gas, electricity, and oil.
“There will also be a substantial reduction in packaging per product tonne. The new plant and equipment will also facilitate a major reduction in concrete waste, and any waste that is generated will be recycled through the plant.”
