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Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
1:00 AM 22nd January 2025
business

York Firm Wins Major Welsh Contract

A North Yorkshire brick manufacturer has secured a £37,000 contract to supply specialist materials for the restoration of one of Wales's most iconic theatres, demonstrating the region's continued excellence in traditional craftsmanship.

York Handmade Brick Company, based in Alne near Easingwold, has manufactured 37,000 bespoke bricks for the renovation of Theatr Clwyd, showcasing Yorkshire manufacturing expertise on a national stage.

The contract comes following a £1.5 million investment in new machinery by the independent brickmaker, positioning the company for future growth and creating sustainable manufacturing capabilities in North Yorkshire.

Mark Laksevics, York Handmade's senior sales manager, said:
"This has been a significant project for us, especially in the context of these challenging economic times. We have a proud track record in working with artistic establishments and projects, notably Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, and it has given us great pleasure to be involved in the renaissance of Theatr Clwyd, one of Wales's finest theatres.

“We have recently invested £1.5 million in brand-new machinery which has transformed how we make our bricks. Over the years, we have undertaken significant technological improvements, culminating in this overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency. This investment will enable us to manufacture high-quality, UK-made bricks for many years to come and it reflects our commitment to the brick industry and the astounding architectural projects using bricks.”


The company worked closely with brick factor RGB Facades and architects Haworth Tompkins to create bricks that matched the theatre's existing brickwork, demonstrating the firm's technical expertise.

The project team for Stirling Prize winning architects Haworth Tompkins explained:
"York Handmade’s bricks are being using primarily on the new workshop, foyer staircase and other smaller interventions where there has been a need from a heritage standpoint to try and respectfully match the existing brickwork of the theatre.

"While from a distance the building looks like it is purely red brick, there is in fact a great deal of variation in tones ranging from sandy browns to pinky purple tones. As such, we needed to work with a brickmaker who could provide a mix that could stand side by side both in colour and texture with the existing brick."


Theatr Clwyd first opened in 1976 and is currently undergoing a multimillion-pound redevelopment. We are thrilled to have been working with York Handmade Brick. They have allowed us to source a brick that matches the originals and helps to maintain the integrity of this Grade II listed building.
Andrew Roberts of Theatr Clwyd


The successful completion of this contract, expected this Spring, reinforces North Yorkshire's reputation as a centre of manufacturing excellence and demonstrates how regional businesses are winning significant contracts despite challenging economic conditions.