Europe’s biggest brick-making factory set for Leicestershire

Building products manufacturer Forterra is set to start work on a £95m project to double production capacity at its Desford plant, after receiving planning permission.

The new facility will be the biggest brick-making factory in Europe.

With a current output of 85 million bricks per year, the Desford plant’s production capacity is set to double in the next three years as a result of the investment to 180 million bricks annually – enough to build 24,000 average-sized family homes. On a company-wide scale, this will increase Forterra’s overall brick production capacity by 16%.

The new premises will be built alongside the current factory, ensuring that the latter remains operational in order to maintain production during the changeover.

Production is expected to start in 2022, by which time Forterra’s production capacity is projected to approach 700 million bricks a year.

Stephen Harrison, chief executive of Forterra, said: “As one of Britain’s biggest manufacturers of building products, we endeavour to set the benchmark in terms of manufacturing efficiency, output and sustainability.

“In keeping with our strategic focus on manufacturing excellence, our new facility’s modern manufacturing methods will allow us to respond to our customers’ increasing demand for products as the rate of housebuilding continues to accelerate nationwide.

“We have every confidence that this project marks a sound, long-term investment in the future of both Forterra and UK housebuilding.”

Forterra employs approximately 1,900 people in the UK, across 18 manufacturing facilities