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We want to help you, the people who support us, get to know our business so we thought we’d answer some Armstrongs FAQs.

How would a customer go about getting a quote for stone signage?

To receive a quote about an idea for a stone sign, all you have to do is phone through to our sales department on 01204 668021 and press 1. Our friendly sales team will help you every step of the way.

How would a customer go about getting a quote about ready mix concrete?

All you need to do to receive a quick and easy quote for our ready mix concrete is to go on AMIX’s webpage and find the built in calculator which we have HERE!

Who makes up Armstrongs Group?

Armstrongs Aggregates Ltd and AMIX RMC make up the Armstrongs Group. AMIX became a subsidiary in 2015. However AMIX was registered as an independent company in 1993.

What is Quarrying?

Quarrying is the extraction of stone or other materials from the earth.

What are aggregates?

Aggregate is a material which is made up of a load of fragments which are loosely packed together. Find more information about the whole aggregate process on our previous blog. This is part of our Armstrongs FAQs because people want to know the process behind the product and also what that product is they are being sold.

 

What are they used for?

There are a range of uses and applications for aggregate. Concrete is one of the uses of aggregate. Other uses include gabion baskets, MOT type 1 which can be used for pavements and the aggregate ballast on train tracks which are used for a number on reasons.

What is the difference between cement and concrete?

Cement is one of the ingredients in concrete and is a powdery substance which is made by calcining lime and clay. Calcining is the part of process where the lime and clay go through a large tunnel and heated to extreme temperatures.

Mixing aggregate with water and cement creates concrete. Concrete is a material which gets stronger and stronger throughout the years and the older it gets.

What is the different between quarrying and mining?

Mining is the process of obtaining minerals and commonly coal from a mine under ground. Whereas quarrying, is the process of extracting materials from above the ground. Blasting is also a lot more common in the quarrying industry.

How many trucks do you have?

At Armstrongs, we have 70 trucks which are all driven and operated by our highly skilled drivers.

What different types of trucks do you have?

When it comes to our trucks, we at Armstrongs use only the best to get the job done. Scania trucks are the perfect vehicles for what we do and that’s why we use them exclusively for our fleet. Our flagship truck “Mayson” is an R520 which holds a huge V8 engine and is the biggest in our fleet. Other trucks like our 8 wheeler tippers consist of different models such as the G410, P380, P400, P410, P450 and the R410.

What heavy machinery do Armstrongs use?

Armstrongs have a wide arsenal of powerful and amazing machines which we use everyday. To carry out our work we must use a wide range of different machines for different uses. Currently, we have a range of different excavators which we use, these include our Hitachi ZAXIS 690LCR, ZAXIS 210LC and the ZAXIS 225USLC. They all have different uses and we utilise their strengths very well in our work.

For our dump trucks, we use the behemoth that is the Bell B40E-ADT. This machine is perfect for shift large heaps of stone and aggregate with its massive power and also bigger payload. The bulldozers which we use are the best-in-class for horsepower with 214 hp.

We also use Screeners and washers in the process of producing our aggregates. These are huge machines which will carry loads of aggregate through them and wash the piles so that they are ready for transport.

What environmental processes must we go through?

There are multiple environmental processes which we must go through to make sure that everything we do here is legal and Eco-friendly. By using the link provided you can take a look at all of our certificates and policies concerning  health and safety, terms of sales, quality policies and much more.

https://armstrongsgroup.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility/

How do we extract our stone?

We extract our stone through the process of blasting and through manual extraction with an excavator. We search for the perfect place in our quarries where we can find the type of stone that we require for the job at hand. When we have found the suitable rock face or area and the explosives have been drilled and placed, it’s time for the blast. Blasting the stone away from the earth will then allow for us to take and use it for aggregate or cut stone. This is definitely part of our Armstrongs FAQs as people love to ask us all about how we extract our stone.

Manual extraction occurs when there needs to a more delicate approach to larger pieces of stone, for that used in constructions at La Sagrada Familia or for a range of cut stone products.

How do you produce bespoke cut stone?

It all starts with a call from you. Once you have told our sales team what it is you’re looking for then our team of experts in the stone shed start to work. We select the best stone for the job and load it onto one of our saws to cut into shape. Once the saw has completed its work we hand over the stone to our excellent stone masons. Here they will complete the design whilst also hand crafting the extra details with great care. From fireplaces to benches and walling stone to logos and much more,  we can create anything to your exact specification.

How many quarries do you have?

We currently operate 5 quarries across the North West and Cumbria. We have Montcliffe and Pilkington in Horwich, Brinscall in Chorley, Waddington Fell in Clitheroe and Shap in Cumbria resulting in Armstrongs having a wide span over the north west.

What can your stone be used for?

Anything. We produce Aggregate, Cut Stone and Concrete for a range of applications whereas our most popular product which we produce is aggregate. From foundations to full houses and all the extra furnishings- Our stone is suitable for all construction situations. Our highly skilled stone mason will take care of any needs our customers have.

How long does your stone last for between extractions?

This depends on demand, However we expect fifteen thousand tonnes of stone to last around two weeks before we start to run low on materials and need to extract again.

What qualifications do I need to be able to work at Armstrongs Group?

Another one of Armstrongs FAQs is must you have a HGV 1 and 2 license to become a Armstrongs driver. No specific qualifications are needed to work in our offices or on our site however a keen and willing attitude is always expected. Experience is preferable but not desired.

Our careers are displayed here.

How can we contact you?

You can now reach us in more ways than ever. If you required anymore of Armstrongs FAQs or any other information then we are available to assist you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, moreover we can help by phone on 01204 668021 or by email on enquiries@armstrongsgroup.com

Do you do educational trips?

We more than welcome educational and scientific trips to our sites. We have a history of school trips and researchers visiting our quarries. To enquire please email us on enquiries@armstrongsgroup.com and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Where in the world do we send our stone?

We distribute our stone to the UK and Europe however our reach is distribution reach is global. Among the many projects we undertake we do currently ship our stone to Barcelona. The stone is used in production of the building of La Sagrada Familia. This is something we at Armstrongs are extremely proud of and love knowing we are apart of something so huge.

We hope you found our Armstrongs FAQs blog helpful. Do you have anymore questions which you’d like us to answer? Then please don’t hesitate to contact us!

You can follow more updates from us across our website and social platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We will also answer Armstrongs FAQs in our comments on our social medias, so don’t be afraid to ask.

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What Are Aggregates?

Here at Armstrongs, we have been a reliable supplier of aggregate for years. Now we think it’s time we taught you a little more about what we do, how we do it and why. So what are aggregates and their uses? First of all, you are probably wondering what is aggregate, well this is the material which is made up of a load of fragments which are loosely packed together and used all over the world for different purposes.

 

The Extraction Process

To acquire the perfect aggregate for the job, there are certain steps which must be followed for extraction. The first step in the process is identifying the perfect place to blast for the required stone. Once the right place has been found, holes must be drilled for the explosives.

These explosives will allow us to release the stone we need for making the aggregate. Now it’s time for the blast, the almighty explosion that sends a bellowing rumble through the quarry. Last week at Montcliffe, we performed a blast that yielded 15,000 tonnes of stone; this roughly lasts around two weeks.

Next, we will collect these large pieces of stone and bash them down using an excavator with a pecker tip. Doing this will allow us to then put the smaller broken down pieces of stone into the crusher machine. The crusher does exactly what it says on the tin, and crushes! This large aggregate is crushed down to various sizes which then need sorting into categories. Once through the crusher, the remains are spilled out into a pile, waiting to be transported to the Screening machine. Using an excavator and a truck, the pile of smaller aggregate is then transported to the screener, which will wash and sort the piles.

The Screening And Washing Process

These new piles will consist of various sized aggregate which will later be used for different functions. Armstrongs produce a range of aggregate sizes from 2mm and 10mm all the way to 75mm and the gabion sized aggregate 150mm. The use of the aggregates will depend on the size of the aggregate and this is why it is important to screen the aggregate.

The machine which this takes place in, is a large vibrating screen box which consists of a number of various sized screens and meshes. This will separate the different sized aggregate like a sieve until they are all separated and washed.  These sieves will separate the different sizes of aggregates and create different piles which will vary in sizes, ranging from larger 20mm to as fine as 2mm sand. During this screening process, the aggregate is washed and this is to remove any unwanted materials such as clay, silt and dirt which may be present. We do this simply so that there is no drying effect or impurities in the future. This could lead to cracking, and you do not want that!

Armstrongs operate from 5 quarries across the North West and Cumbria which means we can keep tight control on quality of our products.

Why Are Aggregates Important?

We produce aggregate as there is an ever growing need for it in the world we live in today. With the constant construction of houses and other buildings throughout the world, it’s important to keep producing aggregate. It is a vital part of some construction jobs.

Aggregates And Their Uses

One of the most common uses of aggregates is concrete, another material which Armstrongs Group produce. Concrete is used widely throughout the construction business. From foundations to full fledged buildings. Ready mix concrete is a large part of the construction industry and is what our subsidiary AMIX does best.

Coastal Management And Other Functions

Another example of aggregates and their uses are gabion baskets, which is large aggregate inside a metal mesh basket. This is a more aesthetic use of aggregate and is for more of the larger variations of aggregate. Armstrongs use a 150mm sized aggregate for gabion baskets. Gabions are used in garden purposes and also civil engineering projects as well. These gabion baskets create a sturdy structure which is perfect for coastal management.

Have you ever noticed the stone which is laid between and around the tracks which trains run on? This is aggregate and it has many functions for being on train tracks. Possibly the most important function of the large and rough aggregate is to hold down the cross tie pieces of wood between the tracks, so that they do not separate. Another function of the aggregate ballast is to absorb the vibrations from the trains themselves.

MOT type 1 aggregate is a sub base that is formed using recycle crushed down concrete and various sized rubble. The rubble can consist of sizes from 40mm aggregate to dust . MOT type 1 has been considered an ideal sub base for both projects large or small for a long time. Pavements are a good example of what this type of aggregate can be used for.

This is why aggregates and their uses are vital to the construction industry.

This is the process which we here at Armstrongs go through to make sure the you have the product you want. If you want to find out about our aggregate products which we offer and the scale which sell on, you can click HERE.

You can find more updates from us across our website and on our social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

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Armstrongs isn’t just big at heart, but we’re big at reaching customers as well. Our blog this week is all about Armstrongs and how big our reach is, across the world. We provide to customers across the globe and take pride in our huge audience and what we do. This is Armstrongs to the world.

Armstrongs produce many different types of stone, used in a wide variety of projects. We produce different aggregate products such as mortar, rock armour and rip raps. Along side aggregates, we also produce ready mix concrete and cut stone. Our cut stone is made perfection for your needs. Our pink shap granite is beautiful and unique and used in many different products.

We have customers all over Europe, branching as far as sunny Barcelona in Spain. Here we love that we can reach so many people and be apart of so many different projects. We believe that every time a customer uses our products, a little bit of our soul is used as well.

Our products across the UK and Ireland

Many buildings and construction jobs consist of using our products. the Midland Hotel, which is based in Manchester is also made up of some of our products. This classic and iconic building is made from the pink Shap granite which we produce from our Shap quarry. The Midland Hotel has been a big part of Manchester for many years since 1903, and is a place of timeless elegance.

We have also provided stone to the great dock walls down in Southampton, and the St Pauls Cathedral. The St Pauls Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral, based at the highest point in the City of London, Ludgate Hill.  We send stone all over the United Kingdom and Ireland and can serve almost every need. Architects greatly use our stone and we pride ourselves knowing that we are second to none.

Armstrongs to the World: La Sagrada Familia

As well as close to home, we produce stone internationally to the amazing La Sagrada Familia. The La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished church in Barcelona, and is something we at Armstrongs hold very close to our hearts. The construction of the church has been ongoing for over 100 years. After running out of the original stone used in the church, they turned to looking all over to discover a similar stone which could be used. After discovering the perfect stone at Brinscall, completion of the church is due to take place between 2026 and 2032. Ever since 201, we have been the sole provider of the unique stone in England. If you wish to find out more about the La Sagrada Familia, read our blog about the beautiful church HERE!

It’s a pleasure to know that we play a huge part to so many people and projects across the world. We can’t wait to expand our reach even more so that we can help shape the landscapes of the future.

If you want to keep up with the latest news about Armstrongs and some behind the scenes! Check out our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Here at Armstrongs, we’re all about family. That’s why the blog this week is all about the family behind the Armstrongs Group. You’ve met our staff and now it’s time to meet the Armstrongs Family.

My name is Tom and I am here at Armstrongs on work experience as part of my business course at college. I am writing this blog as part of my training as a Digital Marketing Assistant. Whilst I have been here at Armstrongs, I have had the pleasure of being involved with their social media and their community.

The Family Behind Armstrongs Group

David and Emma met when Emma’s father needed trucks to move material from his pit. He ended up calling David Armstrong, who had two tipper trucks at that time. It was at this point, Emma grabbed David’s attention when he heard that she was the one loading his tippers with an O&K RH9 excavator.

My Experience with Sam

Fast forward a few years, Sam, who is the daughter of the two, became the Armstrongs Group Transport Manager. Sam is a hard worker, but knows how to have a laugh and crack a joke or two.

The family at Montcliffe

When Sam took me to Montcliffe quarry, so we could capture some photos, it was easy to see that she was in her element.  Sam knew everybody, from people in the office to those in the machinery down in the quarry. Everybody waved and she would always wave back with a big smile and a ‘how do you do?’ Sam was always telling me about the enormous equipment and the scale of the work which the workers in the quarries do.

The Family And Mayson

I witnessed a lot of the machinery from the ‘Meet Our Fleet’ blog in action. She would also tell me where to not stand or I’d go falling on my backside! Whilst we were at Montcliffe, some of the pictures which we took of Sam were with our huge V8 R Series truck, Mayson. Mayson is named after a racehorse which Sam and her sister raised when the young foal lost his mother. Previously we have done a blog all about Mayson and why he’s such an important part of Armstrongs.

Sam’s wisdom on the variety of machinery and equipment was outstanding. Almost as outstanding as when I found out she also put crisps in her pot noodle as well!

Her knowledge of the aggregates industry is second to non. Explaining in great detail what each machine did, what it produces and what it is used for. Our aggregates are used all over the world in a variety of products from sea defence to ready mix concrete.

Spending time with Sam on site taught me a lot about the scale of which Armstrongs work on. There was also a few laughs along the way. I witnessed the bond between both Sam and the people she works with. A true bond with the business that the Armstrong family is passionate about.

My Experience with Emma

Emma has always been involved with heavy machinery. She would always join her father on weekends and help repair different caterpillar vehicles. This is a trade that Emma knows and has been doing for years, it is clear this is her passion.

On my first week here at Armstrongs, I was taken on a tour of the main site by Emma. When driving in and out of the huge old locomotive factories, it seemed Emma’s knowledge of the company, and the history of the land was endless. Horwich is an old train manufacturing town, and Armstrongs use the old buildings for their own work. This keeps them in use, years on from the time of the Second World War, when they were also used for the manufacture of tanks.

Whilst being at Armstrongs, everything I have learnt from Sam, Emma and the rest of the team here is eye opening. Not only the way Armstrongs do business but the drive and passion behind it as well.

If you want to find out more about our Armstrong’s family, make sure to follow us on all our social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with all our latest content. You can also get in touch by calling 01204 668021 or our website HERE!

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Over the last few months you may have noticed that we have started to show you more of the internal workings of our business. This is because we want to have an open door policy with our clients, audience and local community. You have met our fleet, read about our ethos and seen where our stone goes, now its time to meet our staff.

Our business is built of local people who work tirelessly for us and for their communities too, as a result of this we feel like we can offer higher levels of customer service.

Every great business and community has a solid base, using a pun that relates very well to our business, you need a concrete foundation to build on. From our office staff through to our drivers and plant operators we feel like we have the perfect blend of staff to provide top quality service and products.

In this blog we will introduce you to some of our staff and tell you why they are so important to us.

To run a fast paced Aggregate, Cut Stone and Ready Mix Concrete business across 5 quarries requires brilliant people to make operations as smooth as possible. Here are some of those people at our head office. Meet Our Staff.

Meet Our Staff

Let’s start with our Directors. We have company Director Emma Armstrong, Financial Director Sue and Sales & Operations Director John. Our directors are hands on throughout the entire business and lead by example to the rest of the team.

In our Transport office you will find John and his team, alongside John is our Senior Development and Operations Manager Tony. Our friendly sales team are also based in the Transport office, with many of you will have had the pleasure of speaking to Gary in our sales team on a number of occasions. Our Transport manager Sam Armstrong is also based here- as well as at many of our other sights too!

At our head office you will also find our HR manager Lesley- She deals with all our recruitment and much more!

Also based at our Head office are our accounts team. Deb, Tracy, Louise and Emma are constantly working tirelessly to make sure things are ticking over and they are the people you usually get through to on the phone. We also have our Web content manager Daniel based at our head office too.

 

 

Our Amix subsidiary is also based at our head office, General Manager Barry is based in our office whilst the batching plant is down in our yard.

Here at Armstrongs we have over 170 employees across our five sites and thus it is difficult to name them all individually. From our drivers, to our plant operators, quarry managers to cleaners and everyone at Armstrongs we thank you for making our business what it is today!

You will find more of our staff in focus across our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To find out how you can join our ever growing team you can find our recruitment opportunities HERE.

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This coming Remembrance Sunday marks the 100^th year since the end of the First World War. This week our staff have been using this is an opportunity to pay our respects to family members, members of our local communities and everyone who fought so bravely throughout both World War One and Two.

From everyone at Armstrongs Group, across our six sites and AMIX Ready Mix Concrete, we thank every soldier and every member of military organisations, past, present and future, for the ultimate sacrifice for our futures and freedoms.

Our Wagons and Remembrance Sunday

If you happen to come across our wagons transporting our aggregates whilst out and about you will notice they are adorned with a poppy on the cab. We are proud that all of our 70 Scania wagons and drivers are paying their respects to all those lost at war, and to all those who have sacrificed so much for our futures.

Gallipoli

The Gallipoli Campaign was a campaign of the First World War that took place on the Gallipoli peninsula. It took place between 19 February 1915 and 9 January 1916. Intending to secure it Britain and France launched a naval attack followed by an amphibious landing on the peninsula. The aim was to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (modern Istanbul). The naval attack was repelled. As a result, after eight months’ fighting, the campaign was abandoned and the invasion force was withdrawn.

In 2015 Armstrongs Group were delighted to build and donate a lasting memorial to the brave Bolton residents who lost their lives at Gallipoli in 1915. The memorial is a 6 metre high sandstone obelisk with a brass plaque detailing the names of the 236 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers who fell in battle.

The memorial was unveiled by civic dignitaries in a special commemoration service. Emma Armstrong said “We are proud to support such a prestigious memorial remembering the fallen in our local community. We hope that many people will visit the memorial and enjoy a fulfilling and uplifting experience”

De Havilland

For those who are familiar with Horwich, you will know that one of the main roads of the town is De Havilland Way. Above all, It was named after the aircraft factory that was based in the town.

De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited was a British aviation manufacturer established in late 1920.

During the Second World war De Havilland built and supplied aircraft such as the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito. The DH.98 Mosquito was a British twin-engine shoulder-winged multi-role combat aircraft. However, It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era whose frame was constructed almost entirely of wood. As a result, it should be no surprise that it was  nicknamed The Wooden Wonder.

De Havilland Way is located less than a mile away from our head office. It is a frequent route our wagons take on a daily basis.

Like many of us, you will have ancestors who were involved in both World Wars. For instance, Tracy in our accounts office is no different. Her family grew up around the area our head office is located. They lived opposite the then Horwich Loco Works, the current site of our office. Her grandfather worked tirelessly in the De Havilland factory building light aircraft for the war. Because of this on Remembrance Sunday we remember, thank and pay our respects to him and many more that served armed forces during the war. Past, present, and future.

You can find out more about us paying our respects on Remembrance Sunday and more across our social platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For general enquiries you can email us on: enquiries@armstrongsgroup.com.

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