H.D. Ricketts Group is powering into new markets from its base at Weeford Quarry, with a new Terex Finlay 683 Supertrak 3-way split mobile screen, recently supplied by Finlay Central Ltd, part of the Finlay Group of companies.
The new screen is already proving a valuable and versatile addition at the West Midlands site - producing six sizes of valuable single-size material to complement the existing material processed from the quarry's static crushers.
A third generation Birmingham-based haulage business, which has supplied
sand and gravel for decades, H.D. Ricketts moved into new markets after being licensed to operate Weeford Quarry - located on the A38 between Lichfield and Birmingham.
H.D. Ricketts, which has its headquarters in Erdington, is a major supplier of sand and gravel products in the West Midlands, employing 36 people, with a modern haulage fleet of 23 Volvo and DAF vehicles, comprising of 8, 6 and 4 wheelers and articulated trucks. The business also includes a dedicated bagging plant, located in Rugeley.
By being licensed to operate Weeford, the company now has complete control of its supply operations, from the quarrying of top quality primary aggregates, the washing and processing, through to bagging and delivery to clients.
Quarried materials from Weeford include building, concreting and plastering sand, washed and graded gravels and decorative gravels.
Adrian Ricketts, managing director of H.D Ricketts, said: "As a haulage business selling sand and gravel, we decided that a natural progression for the business was to make our own sand and gravel product.
"It gives us the flexibility to deliver bespoke products, and supply exactly what the customer needs.
"We have chosen the new Terex Finlay screen because we have enjoyed a good working relationship with Finlay Central for a number of years.
"The service, spares and support back-up is first class and keeps our machinery running without a hitch.
"The Terex Finlay screen enables us to process a variety of single-sized material. The quarry was producing three sizes of product, but now offers 14 products.
"The screen delivers six of those, 6mm, 10mm, 20mm, 40mm, and 75mm down to 20mm.
"By producing more single size products the material is much more marketable and offers greater value.
"The screen is also fully mobile, with a remote control operation, to enable movement across the site.
"As well as purchasing material processing equipment, we've also hired machinery as needed from Finlay Central and again found the service to be excellent."
This is the second Terex Finlay machine supplied to H. D. Ricketts by Finlay Central. Five years ago, the Group took delivery of a second hand Finlay 590 Hydra grid, which is used by Ricketts to make screened soil from excavation waste.
As well as the quarrying of materials and haulage business, H.D. Ricketts provides recycled products, including washed gravels, washed sands, blended sands, recycled MOT, graded top soil and crushed rock. It also provides JCB hire.
The sand excavated from the site is the deep-red, high quality material typical of the West Midlands quarries.
The move into quarrying is the latest diversification for the family business, now under the leadership of managing director Adrian Ricketts, the third generation of the Ricketts' family at the helm of the company.
H.D. Ricketts started out in business after the First World War, launched by Harry John Ricketts, whose pioneering spirit set the framework for the company to expand from a horse and cart-led sales and delivery service into a business geared up to supply Birmingham and the surrounding area with high quality building materials.
Harry's sons, Dave and Ken later joined their father. Ken left the business in the 1960s and Dave continued to build-up the company, with son Adrian taking over as MD four years ago. The company remains a family-affair, with Adrian's brother
Tony maintaining the company's extensive fleet of vehicles and sister Ruth working in the head office at Erdington.
Neil Bailey, of Staffordshire-based Finlay Central, said: "It is great to see an existing customer venturing into new markets and successfully undertaking such an ambitious project.
"For years, we have been on hand to support Adrian and the business and look forward to continuing to do so in the future."