Member Article

Former Alcan Lynemouth smelter site aims to be new business hub

Northumberland ready-mixed concrete business H-Mix Limited, based at the former Alcan Lynemouth smelter site, is investing £400k into a new plant to service its growing order book.

Managing director John Hudson is also looking to double his existing workforce to 12 next year, as his business increases concrete manufacture and supply from its base beside the former aluminium casting plant.

H-Mix’s expansion plans tie in with those of its main customer Lynx Precast Limited, also working out of the former Alcan site, using H-Mix’s concrete to make beams for flooring in the construction of homes, offices and public buildings.

A master plan by site owner Harworth Estates to turn the 320-acre site into a hub for new businesses and potentially create hundreds of jobs, presents H-Mix with fresh business opportunities.

The company received £94k Regional Growth Fund support from Arch, the Northumberland development company, to help construct its first ready-mixed concrete manufacture and supply plant – a £450k total investment with the plant sourced in Spain. It produces up to 400 tonnes of concrete per day and began working last May.

The new manufacturing plant, which has received planning permission from Northumberland County Council, is expected to be completed by July, substantially increasing production.

John brings nearly 25 years’ experience to his customers from senior roles at Tarmac, where he directed its Scotland and North of England concrete business, overseeing 36 plants and around 250 employees.

He played a senior role in projects to deliver concrete and aggregates underpinning some of the North East’s most iconic developments including The Sage, Millennium Bridge and the Angel of the North.

“The new investment will go into building a second manufacturing unit on site which is going to grow the external customer side of the business,” said John.

“Given my experience of the industry, when Lynx Precast moved onto this site I saw the potential for my new business with a ready-made customer here who will require large volumes of the materials we produce.

“The exciting plans to redevelop the Lynemouth smelter site offer huge potential in the amount of construction materials that will be required.

“By having a second plant here, it gives assurances to my main customer that we have the capacity to meet the expansion of their business and to allow us to meet other orders, future-proofing the business by giving it another anchor.”

Harworth Estates’ natural resources director Eddie Peat said: “H-Mix is an excellent local company and we’re delighted about their continuing growth. As a key tenant at the former Alcan site, we’ll continue to work with them to help deliver their growth ambitions.”

Councillor Dave Ledger, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and chair of Arch, said: “I’m delighted to see the investments made by the Regional Growth Fund have enabled H-Mix and Lynx Precast to develop their own on-site supply chain on this vitally important employment site.

“By working side-by-side, these businesses can support each other’s growth and provide unrivalled quality of service to end-users.”

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