Gallagher open new concrete plant in Ashford

Company invests £1.5 million in bespoke ready-mix plant at Carlton Business Park

KENT-based Gallagher Group have officially opened a new ready-mixed concrete plant in Ashford, Kent, which is capable of producing a full range of concrete mixes and floor screeds.

Representing an investment of £1.5 million, the new facility 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 house building 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.’

Speaking at the official opening of the new facility, Councillor Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: ‘We are delighted that 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.

‘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 itself, which was built to Gallagher’s bespoke specifications by Total Batching Solutions, can produce 100 cubic metres 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 200 cubic metres.

All mixes are manufactured to BS EN 206 and BS EN 8500, and are fully BSI quality accredited. The aggregates used in the concrete will predominantly come from Gallagher’s Hermitage Quarry at Barming, near Maidstone.

In addition to ready-mixed concrete, the new facility will supply flowing screed and bagged aggregates, and will be a transfer station for demolition material to be returned to Gallagher’s site in Maidstone for recycling.