Hanson Brick Expands North American Presence

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Inc.; Houston, Texas). England's building material giant, Hanson plc (London, England), is continuing its active growth mode in North America, with the completion of a new brick manufacturing plant in Monroe, North Carolina and the opening of a new division headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The new "state-of-the-art" brick plant, constructed at a cost of over $20 million, is the second plant to be built at Boren Brick's site in Monroe and will begin operating this month.

Boren Brick is one of four brick manufacturing companies that Hanson plc took ownership of when it acquired Jannock Limited's brick operations in 1999. Along with Boren Brick, Hanson also operates Richtex Corporation, U.S. Brick, and Canada Brick in North America. All four companies fall under Hanson Building Materials America (Neptune, New Jersey). A new brick division corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina recently opened and will help synergize the company's various North American brick companies, operations, and logistical leadership. The company operates 21 brick manufacturing plants located in the U.S. and Canada. A company name change to Hanson Brick America will occur mid year to unify all brick operations under one name.

Since the acquirement of Jannock's operations, Hanson has completed construction of a new brick plant in Aldershot, Ontario, which began operations in May of 2001. The company's future plans include construction of an additional plant on the east coast.Hanson Brick America is the second largest clay brick manufacturer in North America.