UK: Hanson looks to recruit more staff, raise output

Hanson Cement has said it is looking to recruit more staff and could see its production levels return to normal by the end of January next year as confidence in the UK’s construction industry recovery builds.

The company has scaled back production over the last few years in light of the UK’s construction downturn. It operates two cement works in England – at Ketton in Rutland and Ribblesdale in Lancashire – and one in Wales, at Padeswood in Flintshire.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported that in April the company revealed that production would mainly shift back to Clitheroe and new jobs could be created as a result. Plant manager Gary Young said around 12 jobs will be created by the end of the year, bringing the total workforce to around 90 members.

The news comes two years after 30 jobs were lost at the factory, reducing its workforce from 108 to 78.The firm also cut production by 30 per cent.

The local newspaper also reports that the number of trains supplying Hanson Cement will increase to six because of the changes and there will also be an increase in the numbers of trucks arriving at and departing from the site.

Mr Young said: “We have been in the doldrums over the last few years but the industry has been picking up nationally over the last few months and we are starting to see the effects of that now.
“It’s a great step for us and we are in a healthy position now,” he told the paper.