Our Story - The History behind Thomas Armstrong Group
From 1830 to Today

During the war the company was involved in the buildings of council houses and in the early 1950s were building upwards of 1000 houses every year for councils and housing associations across Cumbria and North East.

Throughout this time there was a shortage of housing as a result of damage caused in the Second World War. Thomas Armstrong developed an innovative solution called The Clinecon Block Construction which enabled houses to be built speedily, provide an alternative to brick but was also economical in building and maintenance costs. Clinecon Houses had a principal component - the clinker concrete interlocking block, which was made out of clinker ash from power stations - an early example of recycling.

The company acquired one of the first automatic block making machines in the country which enabled it to manufacture the Clinecon blocks more efficiently and in the volumes now required.
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‍“They were designed in particular sizes and just slotted together, so that they didn’t have to be cut.

“They brought about a revolution in building and we were asked to use them to build houses to supply and build houses in the South East of England – but we were far too busy locally.”
Extract taken from an article in Times and Star in Sept 2008

The first house built locally using this method was at Parkside Avenue in Cockermouth, and it is still there.

This manufacturer of the Cliencon Block was transferred from Cockermouth in mid 1950s to Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear.

View the Thomas Armstrong House for the People Brochure.

The first block plant was situated in Cumbria producing blocks for Thomas Armstrong Limited. An additional block plant factory was opened in Rowlands Gill in the North East, which became the company's main block production plant. This location was chosen due to the local availability of good quality clinker and pelletised slag.

During the Second World War, the firm were contractors to the War Office, supplying timber; but that era came to an end in 1963 when it cut down its last trees.

Following rapid expansion and diverse activities, Thomas Armstrong Limited changed it's role to become a Holding Company and formed subsidiary companies covering contracting, timber manufacturer, concrete block manufacturer and quarrying, haulage and vehicle maintenance activities.

Thomas Armstrong (Timber) Limited was established where its main activity was the manufacturing of timber components for the bed making industry. It gradually expanded its operations into pallets, packing cases and roof trusses.

Thomas Armstrong (Construction) Ltd was formed following the reorganisation but prior to this date construction activities had been carried out since 1930 by the parent Company. It was made up of two major departments Buildings and Civil Engineering.

The expansion of Thomas Armstrong (Transport Services) Limited saw the operation of sand and gravel quarries, commercial vehicle repairs and workshop which also supported the Group's fleet of vehicles.

By 1981, the company had out grown the production facility and the decision was taken to invest in a modern high production manufacturing block plant at Rowlands Gill in the North East. This was one of the most automated factories of its kind in Europe.

In the Spring, following continued expansion, Thomas Armstrong Group moved its new Headquarters at Flimby, where the transport workshops were the first part of the new complex to be open for business where vehicle servicing and repairs, MOT and tachograph services were offered.

The former commercial garage site was transformed into a 5000 sq.ft self service retail store with a bathroom/bedroom showroom and 8000 sq.ft trade service area.

In addition, a new plant hire department was opened servicing local businesses.

The company formed and acquired new businesses which all increased the scope and area of operations of the Group.
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In January, ACP (Concrete) Ltd and Thomas Armstrong (Buildings and DIY Supplies) Limited were formed.

During 1988, the precast concrete company had outgrown it's site in Cockermouth and occupies a two acre site with a purpose factory on Risehow Industrial Estate near Maryport. It has since earned its reputation for high quality, mass produced concrete products.

At the same time it also setup a Readymix Concrete Plant for the company's own use and for Retail and Trade markets throughout West Cumbria.

In October, the business of Garners Concrete Blocks Limited at Thirsk was acquired to increase sales into North Yorkshire and expand product range.

The Group acquired William Rainford (Holdings) Ltd in 1995 which was a well known local company based in Aintree, Liverpool operating from 5 sites.

It was acquired in 1997 and manufactures an extensive range of building block products.

Barnett’s (Buglawton) Ltd was acquisition in February 1998. This was the oldest and most well establish company in the Group. This latest acquired enabled the Group to extend its geographical operations to Cheshire.