MP: Asdown Brickworks will weather the storm

Greg Barker toured Ashdown Brickworks in Turkey Road, one of manufacturing company Ibstock's flagship sites.

Deputy chief executive John Tebbit and external affairs director Simon Storer, of the Construction Products Association, showed Greg around the building with Andrew Craddock, regional production director at Ibstock.

The company, the UK's largest brick manufacturer, have almost 200 years of brickmaking behind them and offer a diverse selection of special shaped bricks and pavers.

Andrew said: "As we all know, the recession has hit everyone hard, in particular the construction industry. This year we will see the worst fall on record in total construction activity, 12%, with a further fall of 3.4% expected in 2010.

"However, as a company, we have worked hard to remain positive and been very proactive in our support for the "Keep Britain Building" campaign, which is designed to lobby Government to support the building industry, one of the country's biggest employment sectors.

"That's why visits such as these, which help to educate politicians on the true state of the industry, are crucial to ensure industry and public stakeholders work together to safeguard the sector during this difficult time. It's great to see MPs such as Greg showing such an enthusiastic interest in the industry and what we have to say."

Greg said: "The last two years have been a very interesting time for the brick industry and Ibstock have had to make substantial job reductions.

"Fortunately the quality of the product and commitment of the staff here in Bexhill has meant that production has been closed elsewhere and focused on the Ashdown site.

"However, we are building fewer houses today than at any time since 1924, and it is having a catastrophic effect on the UK building industry and the businesses that supply it. But I am hopeful that Ashdown Brickworks will weather this unprecedented storm thanks to the excellence of their product and the commitment of their staff and management."