The factory site at Huncoats in Lancashire that once produced the red NORI bricks which were used many global landmarks and regional properties has restarted production, 7 years after production ceased.
HM Treasury writes:
Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne today visited Hanson Building Products’ site in Accrington on the week that production was restarted, 7 years after the company was forced to close the Lancashire factory. The decision to reopen the factory, following a £1.6 million investment and the creation of over 30 new jobs, comes as the company tries to meet the soaring demand by the construction sector. The company also announced that it plans to create 20 further jobs at the site in 2015.
Construction was the worst hit sector of the economy during the recession. The sector contracted by 13% in 2009 and house building output fell to an all-time low. However the house building sector is now going from strength to strength, growing 18% over the last year. With housing starts also seeing a dramatic upturn last year, fuelled by the government’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, Hanson reopened its nearby Claughton Manor plant near Lancaster and added additional shifts at its midlands factories at Kirton, Desford and Wilnecote.
The decision to restart production at Accrington comes as the company has seen demand for bricks continue to outstrip supply. The re-start will be carried out in 2 stages with phase one kicking off in January and phase 2, which will require further investment of around £350,000, following later in 2015. There is a plentiful supply of raw materials – the adjoining quarry has 30 to 40 years of clay reserves. Bricks have been manufactured at the Huncoat site near Accrington since 1887. They are made from fire clay and are so strong and durable that they become known in the trade as iron bricks. At one time the works chimney had the letters IRON painted vertically on it with the N at the top, prompting locals to call it the NORI brick factory. Red Nori bricks were used in the foundations of the Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building in New York as well as in thousands of houses, factories and schools throughout northern England.
