Christopher Pincher MP – Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and Member of Parliament for Tamworth – visited Forterra’s brickworks in Wilnecote, Staffordshire to see the site before work starts on a £27 million redevelopment project.
With an expected product output boost of 20%, the modernisation of the 30-year-old facility, will see a new kiln, dryers and handling equipment installed, bringing the factory up to current standards of efficiency and sustainability. It will allow for creation of a wider array of high-quality brick products, including increasing production of the famous Staffordshire Blue Brick.
The site tour was conducted by George Stewart – Operations Director at Forterra – who took the opportunity to discuss how the increase of brick production at the factory will contribute towards the Government’s goals of building 116,000 new homes as part of its £624k housebuilding loan fund to support people on to the housing ladder, boost smaller building firms and create thousands of new jobs.
Stephen Harrison, Chief Executive at Forterra, said “We were delighted to welcome Christopher Pincher MP to our Wilnecote factory.
“Or redevelopment programme will soon be underway, and it will bring many benefits to our business, workers and the local region. It was a great opportunity to explain exactly what the investment means in relation to both of Mr Pincher’s Government roles as MP for Tamworth and Minister of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
“We hope to welcome Mr Pincher back to Wilnecote after the facilities’ redevelopment has completed.”
Chris Pincher, MP said, ”Factories such as Forterra’s at Wilnecote are part of the lifeblood of British manufacturing, providing the concrete products which are fuelling much needed housebuilding in Britain.
“It is always a pleasure visiting such important businesses in my Tamworth constituency, I wish them the best of luck with their redevelopment and I hope to visit again once work is complete”
For more information about Forterra visit www.forterra.co.uk.