Aggregate Industries acquire Besblock

Acquisition of Midlands-based precast materials supplier with strong sustainability credentials

AGGREGATE Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, have further bolstered their operations with the acquisition of Besblock Ltd, a leading supplier of precast materials to the Midlands construction industry.

The acquisition of Telford-based Besblock will see Aggregate Industries expand upon their existing products with the introduction of a range of technically niche and sustainable building blocks and allow closer working relationships with large and medium-sized house builders across the Midlands. The acquisition will also provide further growth opportunities outside the region.

Through their two manufacturing facilities in Telford, Besblock currently produce around 1.7 million m² of building blocks per year, equating to approximately 250,000 tonnes. Their products include the Star Performer block, a sustainable and multi-purpose on-site solution that uses recycled aggregates and 24% less material than a solid block.

The business has strong sustainability credentials, with its fleet of lorries being one of the most efficient in the country and with the recent installation of a new 1.65MW biomass boiler and renewable energy system, which will see the business become carbon neutral when operational.

Dragan Maksimovic, chief executive officer of Aggregate Industries UK, said: ‘The acquisition of Besblock Ltd is an important milestone in our journey as we strive to become the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and solutions.

‘Besblock have invested heavily in sustainability in recent years and their market-leading product range has strong synergies with our own. We’re delighted to be able to enhance our products and capabilities with the acquisition of this progressive and market-leading business.’

Andrew Huxley, managing director at Besblock Ltd, said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business in the last 50 years; particularly of the investments we have made in sustainable solutions, both in terms of products and practices. We’re excited to continue to expand the business and continue our sustainability journey with the support of Aggregate Industries.’