Lime Green's new £2m factory opens in Much Wenlock
A building product firm has invested about £2 million in a new factory in Much Wenlock.
The new manufacturing plant for Lime Green Products, which has a capacity of 100 metric tonnes a day, was officially unveiled at an open day.
Continuing over 500 years of lime production on Wenlock Edge, the manufacturer of lime based mortars, renders and plasters, completed the construction of its state-of-the art mixing plant in just three months, after three years of planning! The building frame required over 150 tonnes of steel.
Twenty three storage silos holding over 600 tonnes of raw materials provide the capacity for a daily manufacturing output of approximately 100 metric tonnes.
The firm said a sophisticated software system ensures highly accurate computer controlled batching of ingredients for all products.
Co-founder and operations director, James Ayres, said: "The plant is designed for very precise weighing and mixing, for some ingredients as accurate as one gram per tonne, which allows us to make a product with greater consistency over time whilst also improving efficiency in raw material and energy use.
"The bulk storage is cleaner and safer, as materials are contained in sealed, constantly monitored silos. This has also significantly reduced the amount of HGV traffic on and off the site, and eliminated a large amount of packaging waste.
"The plant has a wide range of ingredients available on demand from the silos, everything from very traditional Roman cement and limes through to modern low-carbon binders. This allows us to switch between products with ease to meet short lead times, a real concern for many contractors in the industry."
The open day was attended by customers, architects and restoration contractors, conservation officers and the mayor of Much Wenlock, Graham Edgecumbe-Venning, who all enjoyed a tour of the new factory.
Speaking at the event, Joe Orsi, of Orsi Contini Consultants, a customer and historic buildings specialist, said: "I like what you have done and I have no doubt that this brave investment will benefit and secure your business well into the future."
