Ibstock Brick has invested £7.6 million in its Stafford Slate Blue brick a move which is hoped will boost production by up to 8 million bricks a year.
The investment project in its Lodge Lane facilities started in January 2017 with the factory being fully commissioned by the end of March this year and included a new kiln.
The factory manufactures four types of blue brick, with its most popular reported as the Staffordshire Slate Blue Smooth in 65mm, 73mm and solids. The factory also has a specials department which makes a variety of different shaped bricks including sills, plinths, bullnose, and chamfered.
Whilst blue bricks will be the main manufacturing focus, Lodge Lane will also have the capability to manufacture red bricks.
Factory Manager, Richard Hall, said the investment is a real commitment to the future of blue brick manufacturing. He commented: “The new kiln gives us increased capacity and the ability to produce up to 28 million bricks every year. It is the boost that the site needed and gives us a really good foundation to build on for the future. There is a lot of tradition in blue brick manufacturing and we are carrying this on and since we have increased production we have seen growing demand for these products.”
