Production is underway at a new £400,000 ready mixed concrete plant at Lynemouth in Northumberland. The new facility is the second to be opened in just 18 months by H-Mix at Lynefield Park, the site of the former Alcan aluminium smelter, which is now owned by Harworth Group plc, one of the largest property and regeneration companies in the UK.
The new plant for H-Mix will see the firm double its production capacity to more than 500 cubic metres of concrete – around 1,200 tonnes – per day. Managing director John Hudson says the business is now ideally placed to win new business while continuing to serve its existing customers.
“We really haven’t looked back since opening our first production facility at Lynefield Park in May 2015,” explained John. “Security of supply is critical to our customers so the new plant provides important back-up to the first. It also provides us with the capability to tender for the new business opportunities that will come on the back of the growth in house building, commercial property and other infrastructure investments that are being made across the North East.”
With the new plant in production, John’s targets for 2017 include doubling his workforce to 12, taking on an apprentice and investing in additional delivery vehicles.
One of the main customers for H-mix is its Lynefield Park neighbour, Lynx Precast, which makes beams for flooring in the construction of homes, offices and public buildings. Other businesses operating on the 320 acre site include C&J Marine, which is involved with caravan disposal and storage and construction firm Sisk.
And Paul Scott, a former Alcan employee, has returned to the site to set up a business recycling wooden pallets.
Aluminium production ended at Lynemouth in March 2012 and Harworth Group took over the site in April 2015. Since then, some of the smelter’s buildings have been demolished including the eight distinctive potroom chimneys, while others have been retained for alternative commercial uses.
We’re making good progress
Harworth Group director, Eddie Peat, said: “We’re making good progress on the redevelopment of the site and H-Mix’s investment in a second facility here provides a very clear example of what ambitious businesses can achieve at Lynefield Park.
“This is an ideal location for business growth and Harworth Group is committed to attracting high-value, secure employment back to the site.”
Businesses interested in the opportunities at Lynefield Park should contact Harworth Group’s retained agents who are Cushman & Wakefield (telephone Richard Scott on 0191 223 5711) and HTA (telephone Nick Atkinson on 0191 245 1234).
