Secretary of State for Transport visits IKO’S new factory

Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin has paid a visit to IKO PLC’s new state-of-the-art mastic asphalt and hot melt factory at Grangemill Quarry, Derbyshire, opened at the end of 2014.

McLoughlin, MP for the Derbyshire Dales visited the factory along with Deputy Mayor of Matlock, Councillor Barry Hopkinson.

He said: “I am extremely impressed by the transformation of the site. IKO has made a significant investment to make it a world class manufacturing facility which can compete on a global basis.” On his tour, the Secretary of State was particularly interested in IKO’s reuse of disposed asphalt material. “IKO’s green credentials are a credit to them,” he added.

The facility on the outskirts of Matlock is the result of investment in the latest plant and equipment and part of IKO’s commitment to its ‘Made in Britain’ philosophy. Grangemill is one of two IKO manufacturing facilities in Derbyshire; the other is at Clay Cross, Chesterfield.

Deputy Mayor of Matlock Barry Hopkinson officially opened the site and said: “The new site is a credit to IKO which has worked hard to create an excellent manufacturing facility. I’m pleased that in relocating IKO has chosen to stay within the Matlock area because it will create jobs locally and benefit local businesses that supply IKO.”

IKO’s UK group managing director, Andy Williamson said: “This fantastic new facility provides us with much needed extra capacity – essential if we are to satisfy the market’s growing demand and meet its increasingly exacting standards, both now and in the future.

“Over the last 10 years IKO has introduced a series of important innovations in hot melt with PermaTEC, and mastic asphalt with Permaphalt and other products which have made application easier for contractors and improved their productivity. The new Grangemill factory will enable us to innovate even more successfully, developing the new products our customers require.”