Shropshire operation builds success for Michelmersh

BRICK maker Michelmersh has said its Shropshire operation has helped drive strong sales orders and production, culminating in a major contract win for a new project in Telford.

In its AGM statement, the firm said Blockleys was performing well and prices were strong. The firm said it had also demonstrated its ability to cross sell by winning the brick specification for Abraham Darby, a new academy in Telford.

Chairman Eric Gadsden said: “I am pleased to report that sales orders, despatches and production activity continue to be strong at all our sites, particularly Freshfield Lane and Blockleys where some products are subject to extended delivery schedules.  Group sales volumes are ahead of budget for the year to date.

“Having successfully completed the integration of Freshfield Lane into the group our focus now is to maximise margins across the business. As well as further improving and honing our current product range we intend to develop a number of new products which will sell at premium prices, building on our success in the specification market.”

Mr Gadsden said the firm’s position in the marketplace had s enabled it to maintain margins despite the prevailing market conditions.

However, he said maintaining margins in the light of increasing energy prices was a key challenge so the company would be reining in costs wherever possible, as well as promoting the use of more efficient plants.

In addition to the Telford academy, the company has also won orders through its new products, such as Anthracite bricks, which are being used at residential schemes The Downs, Wimbledon and Comus Place, London.

In the past it has completed contracts for a number of high profile projects including the refurbishment of the British Library, St. Pancras Station, Harrods, the Savoy Hotel and the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the construction of a new campus at Kobe University, Japan.

“We continue to see major changes within the industry and will be watching these closely for potential opportunities to develop our business whether organically or by acquisition,” added Mr Gadsden.

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