Member Article

York Handmade ready to tackle the shortage of bricks in the UK

The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company is ready to tackle the shortage of bricks, which is threatening the recovery of the construction sector across the UK.

According to a recent survey, carried out by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), a shortage of bricks and bricklayers has been cited as the main cause of a surprise drop in output in the construction sector.

Fears that builders cannot meet the rising demand for houses were fanned by the RICS survey, which revealed that almost 40 per cent of the surveyors it polled believed brick shortages were a brake on activity. Echoing reports from house-builders, they said bricks and concrete blocks in particular were in short supply.

David Armitage, the chairman of York Handmade Brick, based at Alne, near Easingwold in North Yorkshire, says: “It is a sad fact of life that the recession, which was particularly brutal in the construction sector, has seen the decline and closure of many brickworks across the UK.

“Here at York Handmade we have fought really hard – and successfully - to keep going and we are now well-equipped to take advantage of the upturn in the construction sector, especially in the self-build market.

“We have invested in the future, by spending £65,000 on refurbishing our two kilns, which will increase production and efficiency. As confidence returns to the property market, we are beginning to reap the benefits of this investment and of our determination to battle through the difficult times.

“There is increased demand for our award-winning bricks, which are currently being used across the UK. It is crucially important that independent brickmakers continue not just to survive, but to flourish, because they provide the personal service upon which our unique homes depend.

Mr Armitage added: “We are very aware of the fact that builders are worried about the long waits for bricks needed to finish work created by the renewed surge in demand for houses, but we can confidently say we have the capacity and the skill to meet every order placed with us on time and within budget.

York Handmade, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013, has won a succession of awards in the Brick Development Association awards, the Oscars of the Brick Industry. In 2012, for example, the company triumphed in the Best Single House, the Best Craftsmanship and Specialist Brickwork Contractor categories.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .