Hope to launch bagged cement product, UK

Hope Construction Materials has announced the launch of its new bagged cement product. Its Professional Grade Cement, the newest entrant into a UK bagged cement market worth GBP180m annually, will be available to customers across the southern half of England later this year.

The newly-revealed product pack design, developed in association with Cognition Agency, features a large ram – a nod to the firm’s rich Derbyshire roots and the source of the raw materials used to make the cement.

Hope said the ram’s head is transparent to ensure the consistent colour of cement provided by Hope is clearly visible, something many potential customers said was important to them. "All the bags will be plastic, weatherproof and packed using the best equipment on the market, meaning merchants and builders will be able to confidently store the bags outdoors," it said.

Hope cement had previously been available in bags through a third-party supplier, but this launch marks the first time Hope cement will be in the firm’s packaging.

Hope’s Professional Grade Cement and service offering is the culmination of an extensive 18-month research and development process, which saw hundreds of merchants and professional builders surveyed to ensure the product meets customer requirements.

The cement will be produced at the Hope Works in Derbyshire, which has been making cement for more than 80 years. It will then be transported by rail for bagging and distribution from Hope’s new Dagenham plant which is set to open in the second quarter of 2016.

Gary Brennand, Hope’s Commercial Director for Cement, said: “Hope Works has been making cement for more than 80 years and has an outstanding reputation for consistent quality and service. We are delighted to be able to offer our product in our own branded bag to customers for the very first time.

“For 18 months we have spoken at length to builders and merchants to understand their needs and how we can add value to them. Using this insight we have developed a full package which we believe will redefine the sector and are really excited about sharing it all. Revealing our Hope Professional Grade Cement branding is just the start.

 “We are also pleased that the product launch will see jobs created in the Dagenham area to ensure we are prepared to meet the anticipated demand for Hope Professional Grade Cement.”