Aggregate Industries’ market share set to rise

17 January, 2007

AGGREGATE Industries’ agreed bid for Foster Yeoman Ltd will make the combined company the second largest quarrying business in the country, according to a recently published report on the quarrying sector by BDS Marketing Research Ltd.

BDS say this continues the impressive recent growth of Aggregate Industries, as it is only in recent years that the company established itself as the third largest quarrying business in Great Britain.

Tarmac continue as the largest aggregates company with a national share estimated at 22%, which is similar to the previous year. Hanson are thought to have continued to lose some slight market share, and while they continue as the second largest aggregates company currently, they will lose this position to the enlarged Aggregate Industries business.

CEMEX are now the fourth largest aggregates company in the country with an estimated market share of 11%, while Lafarge continue as the fifth largest quarrying business. The report also highlights the continued growth of Ennstone, who recently acquired Ayton Products and the outstanding share of Berwyn Granite.

BDS estimate that the top five national companies now represent 70% of total production, however despite this concentration the marketing consultancy have identified a further 225 companies that still remain in this sector.

The BDS report, which is published annually, lists all known sand and gravel pits, crushed rock quarries and marine wharves in Great Britain, by location and company. The estimated output of each site is included, with company market shares shown by county, region and nationally for each type of aggregates.

The report has been published at the same time as equivalent reports on ready-mixed concrete, asphalt plants and landfill sites. Similar reports have also been published for Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Further details of the report entitled: ‘Estimated outputs of pits, quarries and marine wharves in Great Britain’, or any of the other reports, are available by contacting BDS Marketing.