THE Cookstown-based cement production business acquired in January by LCC Group and David Millar for £56 million has been rebranded to Cemcor following significant investment from its new ownership.
The Cookstown plant, originally known as Lafarge Cement Ireland, was acquired by Cookstown Cement from its parent company, the Switzerland-headquartered construction materials giant Holcim.
Since then Cookstown Cement has been led and co-owned by David Millar, a former executive with Lafarge, who has 38 years’ experience in the cement and construction industries, and is backed by the Loughran family, who own the Lissan Coal Company and franchise of GO petrol stations.
Committed to investing £15 million, Cemcor has already begun to grow in stature with a fleet of new branded tanker and curtain-sided vehicles on the roads and an increase in full time staff.
The company now owns a cement plant with production capacity in excess of 450,000 tonnes in Cookstown, a limestone quarry also in Cookstown, a shale quarry in Dungannon and an import export facility in Belfast Harbour.
In line with the new owners’ long term investment plans, facilities around the various sites are receiving improvements and renovations to upgrade its environmental capabilities and processes as well as improve overall efficiency.
Cemcor managing director David Millar said: “Since acquiring the business in January, it has gone from strength to strength. There is a strong foundation and solid team around Cemcor which is beginning to see the benefits of the increased investment.
“We have a long term plan for the company with a huge focus on sustainability and our processes. The investments to the plant are in line with the UK Environmental Agency, will help lower the CO2 footprint and ensure its longevity as the construction industry continues to evolve.”
Looking to the future, Cemcor as an independent company has many opportunities in which it can take advantage and innovate and with the committed investment from the new owners and clear objectives, it will continue on its successful trajectory, growing further and cementing itself as industry leaders.
