History

 

The Thomas Armstrong Family

ACP (Concrete) Ltd is part of Thomas Armstrong Holdings, a family owned company of over 180 years standing, which specialises in the manufacture and supply of construction products as well as having a major contract construction division. Originally the precast division of Thomas Armstrong Construction, manufacturing lintels, cills, copings and steps, ACP Concrete Ltd was formed in as a stand alone company in 1986 to develop precast sales through the local building industry and merchants. Product development came through the introduction of a multi cast Mac Fab machine which allowed for the mass production of our range of precast products in particular the reinforced concrete lintels. In 1990 the company invested in its first prestressed floor beam bed (10 nos runs x 36m), and were the first precaster in the country to have an adjustable stair mould. In keeping with the innovative philosophy ACP was also the first precast company to introduce a volumetric mixer in 1993. Subsequent investment into a wideslab bed allowed the company to bring greater economies and synergies into the business.  The company now has 10 floor ‘T’ beam beds including 225mm beam casting beds, 10 nos stair moulds and 2 nos ramp moulds together with 8 nos 60m long wideslab beds.

In 1999 ACP (Concrete) Ltd acquired a prestressed concrete panel manufacturing company, Robinson Concrete, with 3 nos prestressing beds. Continuing expansion over the last decade has increased this to 12 nos beds each 80m long producing in the region of 5km of wall panels per week.

The greatest development of ACP (Concrete) Ltd came through the acquistion and redevelopment of the old Corus Steel site at Lakes Road, Workington.  This included the introduction of overhead cranes and tug tractor units and investment in the most up-to-date concrete batching facilities including our own on site mixer trucks (one of which can deliver 12m³ concrete at any one time), all of which brought economies of scale to ACP and  benefits to the group. The move to Lakes Road allowed expansion in all our major product lines as well as allowing us to develop the bespoke product side of the business.

The businesses owned and operated by the company include Thomas Armstrong (Aggregates) Ltd, quarrying and supplying bulk sand & aggregates etc; Thomas Armstrong (Transport) Ltd, Thomas Armstrong (Timber) Ltd, manufacturing timber roof trusses & timber frames; Thomas Armstrong (Concrete Blocks) Ltd, Coulthard Concrete Products (1980) Ltd, Stock Blocks and William Rainford Holdings Ltd, all manufacturers of many types of precast concrete blocks. ACP (Concrete) Ltd benefits from the ability of the group to supply most of the major raw materials required including cement. The holding company provides ACP (Concrete) Ltd with the resources and expertise to expand and develop to meet the needs of their customers.