Bricks - expert guide

Here you will find a guide to the world of bricks: brick construction, brick laying, brick skills, brick manufacturers, and brick products.

The latest Contract Journal news stories about bricks.
Search CJ Marketplace for bricks.

General external brick information:

• The history of bricks.
• Types of brick
• Innovations in brick
• New brick standards

Major brick manufacturers:

There are only a few major players in the brick industry, causing concern for the Competition Commission, as outlined by CJ earlier this year. Below are the key companies to look out for:

Baggeridge

• Founded in 1944 at Sedgley in the West Midlands
• Produce in excess of 300 million bricks every year
• Range includes over 100 different facing bricks
• Range of Paver for home and garden

Recent news items about Baggeridge:

• Baggeridge shareholders stall on Wienerberger offer
• Wienerberger ups Baggeridge offer to fend off Michelmersh
• Baggeridge Brick's turnover up by £2m

Contact Baggeridge

Wienerberger

• Manufacturing quality clay building products since 1819 we opened our first factory in Vienna, Austria
• 235 plants in 24 countries
• The Terca brand has been a presence in the UK brick market for a number of years
• Koramic range of clay roofing products

Recent news items about Wienerberger:

• Job spotlight: Environmental manager, Terca
• Competition Commission clears Wienerberger takeover of Baggeridge
• Baggeridge to benefit from lower gas prices

Contact Wienerberger

Hanson

• In 1964 Hanson Trust was created out of the former Wiles Group by James Hanson and Gordon White
• Recent aquisitions include:
  • 2004: Wilnecote Brick (formerly Tarmac Brick)
  • 2005: Hanson Clay Products (formerly Marshalls Clay Products, The Acrington Brick Company/ NORI)
  • 2005: Thermalite (the number one producer of Aircrete Block)
  • 2005: Mid Essex Gravels
  • 2006: Redbank
• The range of bricks includes specialist bricks and cladding products.

Recent news items about Hanson:

• Lafarge sets its sights on Tarmac deal
• Hanson targets longer projects
• Hanson reports drop in profits as takeover is approved
  

Contact Hanson

Ibstock Brick

• In 1899, the Company was registered as Ibstock Collieries Ltd
• Ibstock Ltd now has 24 brick and paver plants with a total annual capacity in excess of 900 million bricks
• Produces specialist bricks, slip bricks, Ecoterre Earth bricks, glazed bricks, and handmade bricks

Recent news items about Ibstock:

• Less competition could force brick price-rise
• Price of bricks set to increase

Contact Ibstock

Michelmersh

• Michelmersh Brick and Tile Ltd established in 1842
• Produces 12 million facing bricks and special shaped bricks per annum
• Range of multi-coloured bricks
• Recent projects include the Eden Project and St Pancras Station

Recent news items about Michelmersh:

• Wienerberger ups Baggeridge offer to fend off Michelmersh
• Michelmersh may make bid for Baggeridge
• Michelmersh confident about the future despite tough 2006

Recent high profile brick projects and related techniques:

 

St Pancras Station - Traditional

 

Inland Revenue building at Nottingham - Brickwork Pre-Assembly

 

PowerGen building at Coventry - Brickwork Pre-Assembly

 

External links:

Bricklaying skills:

• Bricklaying career profile
• Learndirect career advice: bricklaying
• Bricklaying courses

Health and Safety issues:

• Manual packing in the brick industry
• Brickwork contractor guidelines
• Occupational Health and Safety service: Brick Development Association
• Health and Safety Executive advice

Sustainability issues:

• Brick Development Association: Cases for sustainability
• Sustainable brick construction 
• Sustainable small scale brick construction

Trade associations:

• Brick Development Association
• Association of Brickwork Contractors
• Better Brickwork Alliance
• Federation of Master Builders

Other relevant brick content:

Wikipedia entry on:

• Bricks
• Brickwork