Associated Asphalt Contracting Ltd is continuing in its rapid growth trajectory, recently marking the first anniversary of the opening of its Tonbridge asphalt plant, a facility that has quickly established itself as a leading local supply hub.
Strategically located in East Peckham, Kent, the state-of-the-art facility was developed to serve businesses in Tonbridge and the surrounding areas as part of a £2.6million investment. It marks Associated Asphalt’s first direct move into the local collect market, as part of the continued expansion of its asphalt business. The site is operated by a team of eight employees recruited from the local area, supporting regional employment and contributing to the local economy.
On its opening day 12 months ago, 32 tonnes of asphalt rolled off the production line. Since this time, the site has grown exponentially, producing over 30,000 tonnes of standard and specialist mix asphalt in its first year. Its footprint can be found in the roads of highways, local authorities and commercial developments across the South East region.
Core to the plant’s rapid success is its mix-to-order model, enabling tighter quality control and superior workability on site. Designed around customer efficiency, this streamlined approach also allows for faster turnaround times, with most customers in and out of the plant in less than 20 minutes. For single loads, the average turnaround time is just 16 minutes.
In a recent milestone, the plant received its first freight train, compromising 22 wagons carrying around 60 tonnes of aggregates directly to site. This new rail capability will support regional infrastructure projects while significantly reducing HGV traffic on local roads.
Dave Isham, Plant Manager for the East Peckham site, says the business has earned its stripes through a reliable and straightforward service.
“From day one, our aim was to build a reputable and reliable asphalt supply hub and we’ve done exactly that. East Peckham means local contractors no longer need to make long journeys or compromise on quality – just the right mix, produced to order and ready when they need it. A year in, the site is now well-established and has carved out a reputation as the go-to asphalt hub for Tonbridge and the surrounding area.”
(Picture: Associated Asphalt)
