Tarmac has unveiled a new cement packing facility at its Tunstead cement site, near Buxton, Derbyshire. The launch comes as the site celebrates its 50th anniversary of cement production.
As the first of its kind in the UK, the bespoke Haver and Boecker 10-spout Adams 2000 plant enhances Tarmac’s packing capacity, which strengthens its existing nationwide production and packing capabilities.
The plant will manufacture the company’s range of plastic packed and tubbed cement products for merchant and retail customers. With significant storage capacity, the plant will also be used to house the new 12.5kg mixer bags. Launched earlier this year, the bags bring a new concept to the market. At half the size of regular bags, they are designed to be a ‘perfect mix’, providing the exact amount needed for a cement mixer – saving users from needing to split 25kg bags in half and waste material.
Kevan Greenhalgh, Packed Business Manager for Tarmac’s cement business, said: “This new plant is an exciting development for us. It enhances our existing UK-wide supply capacity, ensuring we continue to offer customers and end users superior packed cement products, service and supply. As a business with a strong culture of innovation, the plant will use some of our most pioneering developments, such as plastic packaging, which is now being adopted by others in the market.
“It’s also fitting that the 50th anniversary of cement production at Tunstead is being marked with an investment that creates new jobs, and builds on our longstanding track record of innovation in cement production and technology.”
The plant has created 23 new jobs at Tunstead, which employs around 450 people. It will also offer upskilling opportunities for existing employees, through training on the use of its automated technology.
The plant launch coincides with the recent upgrading of Tunstead’s rail freight infrastructure – part of Tarmac’s strategy to support sustainable delivery of materials, and cut transport CO2 by 10% by 2020.
