The Quarry Products division will be split into three product-focused business lines (Hanson Aggregates incorporating Hanson Marine; Hanson Concrete, and Hanson Asphalt and Contracting. All will be managed nationally.
Hanson UK’s chief executive officer, Patrick O’Shea, said the change had been prompted by a slower than anticipated recovery in the UK construction market and continuing uncertainty in the wider economy.
He said: "Against this background, our current multi-product regional structure is no longer appropriate. The management teams are dealing with a wide range of complex issues across different product lines.
"The new structure will bring together management of sales and production of our core products to maximize opportunities in what we predict will continue to be a very difficult market. We will also be seeking to improve logistics performance and customer service."
Brian Charleton becomes managing director of Hanson Aggregates, responsible for production and sales from the company’s 75 quarries and UK network of marine wharves and depots. For the past three years he has been managing director of Hanson’s shared service centre near Bristol.
Max Colligan, formerly north region director for Hanson Quarry Products, becomes managing director of Hanson Concrete and takes responsibility for the company’s 300 fixed and site-based production plants.
Phil Redmond, currently managing director of Hanson Contracting, heads the combined Hanson Asphalt and Contracting division, which brings together asphalt production and sales from 47 plants with the company’s road surfacing, infrastructure and civil engineering business.
The restructure will involve the loss of around 50 jobs from a total workforce of 1,750 – although this figure includes the removal of a number of existing vacancies. ‘The clear aim of this restructure is to improve efficiency and sharpen our competitiveness in a difficult market,’ said Mr O’Shea.
The new structure is expected to be in place by 1 January, 2012.
