Despite being in the throes of an agreed takeover by Breedon, the first quarter of 2016 will see Hope open new rail facilities in Essex, London and Southampton.
In Dagenham, Essex, a new rail-linked cement distribution depot and packing facility is being developed. This will see the introduction of cement supplied in Hope’s own branded bags.
In Southampton a new ready-mix concrete plant and rail-linked aggregates depot will receive concreting aggregate for Hope’s Hampshire operations.
Alongside the Olympic Park in Stratford, a new rail-fed aggregates depot will enable Hope to bring crushed rock into east London. This is the result of a partnership with rail freight operator DB Schenker.
More than two thirds of Hope’s cement is distributed by rail from its twin-kiln plant in Derbyshire. Hope also transports much of its aggregate by rail, notably from Dowlow limestone quarry near Buxton.
Hope also opened a new rail-linked cement, aggregates and concrete depot at Walsall in 2015.
There is also investment going on at two other southeast depots. At Theale in Berkshire, where Hope has a rail-linked cement depot, a rail-fed aggregates facility has been added, along with a ready-mix concrete plant. And Hope’s Woodham depot is now able to supply ready-mix concrete across North Bucks.
Hope Construction Materials chief executive Chris Plant said: “Hope has been growing steadily since launch three years ago and these latest depots are the culmination of our strategy to develop our plant network and improve the service we are able to give our customers. Together these developments represent a major investment in the business and their southeast locations mean that they are sure to add value in the future.”
The Breedon Aggregates acquisition, announced in November, remains subject to regulatory approval but is expected to complete sometime during 2016. Until then, Hope says it will continue to operate as an independent company.
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