Brick company hails ‘record year’ after contract wins

A SERIES of new contracts around the country has led to the boss at the York Handmade Brick Company calling 2018 one of the most successful years in its 30year history.

Based at Alne, near Easingwold, York Handmade landed deals for projects as far away as Cornwall and Scotland.

Chairman David Armitage said: “2018 has proved to be an excellent year for us, despite all the political uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

“We have flourished in 2018, with contracts from as far away as Cornwall and Scotland.

“Significantly, our most lucrative work has been in the commercial property and education sectors, rather than housing, which had been our staple for a number of years.

“Prestigious contracts that we completed during the past 12 months include the new Halifax Library, Pocklington School’s Art and Design Technology Centre, the House of Trembling Madness in York and the Westgate Centre in Oxford.

“The Halifax and Oxford jobs were shortlisted for major awards in the Brick Development Association’s Awards, the Oscars of the brick industry.

“Equally encouraging is that our order book is full well into 2019, with new projects including a £300,000 contract to build a new library at Magdalene College, Cambridge; housing developments at Lancer Square in Central London and King’s Cross; and a significant restoration project at St Albans Cathedral.

“Looking ahead, it is encouraging to report that brick remains the building material of choice for many architects and specifiers across the UK. Provided the economy doesn’t implode, we anticipate a very successful and enjoyable 2019,” said Mr Armitage.

York Handmade was founded in 1988.

Since then the company has grown to 30 employees with a turnover of £2.5m.