Trading as Bardon Aggregates, Aggregate Industries UK has over 70 quarries with consented reserves of well over 1 billion tonnes. The company's aggregate operations are comprehensively and strategically positioned across the UK, comprising crushed rock quarries, sand and gravel quarries and secondary aggregate operations. Through the extensive use of the road and rail network, our quarries are able to supply value added activities across the business.

The distribution of company products is not limited to within the UK. Specialist sands, sold under our Garside Sands brand, are often shipped to the far corners of the world to be used In such applications as water filtration and high quality building finishes. The international trading capacity of Aggregate Industries is strengthened through the existence of the company's own jetty in Plymouth and a joint venture coastal quarry in Norway.

The Norwegian operation, Halsvik Aggregates, is a joint venture that provides access into major northern European markets. Output from the quarry has increased over the past year to almost 2 million tonnes and continues to supply North Sea projects for the oil industry, major infrastructure contracts in Poland and Germany, and aggregates into the UK.

Aggregate Industries' materials are increasingly being used to protect the UK's shoreline from erosion. The company will shortly be supplying up to 60,000 tonnes of rock armour for Cumbria's Sea Defences, for example.

The production of aggregates is not limited to primary material sources, and Aggregate Industries has a growing network of secondary or recycled aggregate depots. The expansion of Bardon Recycling within the UK is ongoing and currently numbers eight sites. The sources of material for recycling are commonly surplus or reclaimed asphalt, construction and demolition wastes. With the introduction of the Aggregates Levy in April 2002 it is anticipated that the market for secondary aggregates will continue to grow and increase in significance within the business.