GD Harries Opens State-of-the-Art Asphalt Plant in Llandarcy, Swansea

Posted on: September 23rd 2024    •    Posted in: Asphalt
GD Harries Opens State-of-the-Art Asphalt Plant in Llandarcy, Swansea

GD Harries, a leading company in the quarrying and construction industry in Wales, is proud to announce the official opening of its new, cutting-edge asphalt plant in Llandarcy, near Swansea. The facility, Swansea Bay Asphalt, located just 5 minutes off junction 43 of the M4, is set to enhance the region’s infrastructure projects and will supply high-quality asphalt for road construction and maintenance projects across South Wales.

An official opening ceremony was held on 20th September with Carolyn Harris, MP for Neath and Swansea East, cutting the ribbon to declare the site open. She was joined by local business leaders and customers of GD Harries who toured the facility. The open day provided attendees with a firsthand look at the plant’s advanced features and the opportunity to discuss its potential impact on upcoming infrastructure projects.

Nick Cleary, General Manager for GD Harries, said, “We are excited to open this state-of-the-art asphalt plant in Swansea, bringing advanced infrastructure solutions to South Wales. This investment reinforces our commitment to supporting local communities, creating jobs, and improving the quality of roads throughout the region.”

The new plant has been designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, and is capable of producing 140 tonnes per hour.

Julian Smith, Head of Commercial for GD Harries, said: “By utilising aggregates produced from our own quarries, Swansea Bay Asphalt will minimise the environmental impact of road surfacing projects by reducing transportation distances for raw materials. At the same time, it will increase the speed and availability of asphalt used for road resurfacing, along with the repair of potholes,” said Julian.

The facility incorporates the latest in asphalt technology and is an integral part of the company’s sustainability objectives. As asphalt is highly recyclable, the plant is RAP-enabled (Reclaimed Asphalt Planings). Planings from worn-out road surfaces can be recycled and reused as aggregate in new asphalt mixtures.  This helps reduce landfill waste and lowers construction costs.

This new facility marks a significant milestone for GD Harries, which continues to expand its operations to meet the growing infrastructure needs in South and West Wales. The plant’s strategic location will enable faster, more efficient service to local authorities and contractors, ensuring critical road projects are delivered on time and to the highest standards.

Carolyn Harris, MP for Neath and Swansea East

State of the art plant

Tour of the plant

Official opening ceremony