CSR Bricks & Pavers (trading as PGH) celebrated the expansion of its brick plant at Oxley, QLD today with an official opening by The Hon. Anna Bligh, Queensland’sDeputy Premier. She was joined by MrAlec Brennan, Managing Director of CSR Limited and Mr Chris Grubb, ExecutiveGeneral Manager, PGH.

This efficient, low-cost manufacturing plant was upgraded at a cost ofmore than AUD$30 million, with its average annual capacity increased to morethan 80 million standard bricks. As aresult of the expansion, the Oxley Plant is one of the largest and mostefficient brick plants in Queensland.

The expansion is central to CSR Building Products’ long-term strategy ofgrowth and improved profitability through investment in low-cost capacity. This is tangible evidence of CSR’s commitmentto re-invest in its building products businesses and in Queensland.

Mr Chris Grubb, Executive General Manager, PGH commented, “The OxleyPlant expansion positions PGH favourably to supply the residential constructionmarket in Queenslandat its peak during the next building cycle. This is particularly significant given that the industry was short ofcapacity at the last peak. In themeantime, this expansion has enabled us to mothball high cost capacity at ourStrathpine plant, until the market recovers.”

The investment also aims to capitalise on the strong residentialdevelopment projected for Southeast Queenslandwhich is forecast to grow by more than one million people over the next 15years. This has strong growth prospectsfor the residential construction industry in that area. The expansion of the Oxley Plant – which islocated at the heart of this growth corridor – favourably positions PGH inmeeting the growing demand for its products in this region.

The expansion of the Oxley Plant was completed within budget and onschedule within 24 months on July 2006. The upgrade saw the construction of a new 600sqm factory building, theaddition of a second kiln and drier system, a new workshop building and factoryoffice extension, a new brick storage yard and a range of new amenities.

The investment in the plant has also had a positive impact on thecommunity, including job growth and infrastructural development. The plant’s employment numbers have increasedsignificantly to 50 employees. Inaddition, PGH has also contributed towards the upgrade of Kimberly Street and Boundary Road in Oxley.

The expanded plant will reduce environmental emissions and the number ofwaste bricks from the site. It will alsocontribute towards more energy-efficient operations and lower greenhouse gasemissions.

The expansion is part of an optimisation of PGH’s Queensland manufacturing network which will see the Oxley Plant become a dedicated sitefor the manufacture of a great variety of bricks and blocks, including three ofPGH’s latest product ranges: Café Collection, HarvestCollection and Resort Collection. PGH’s Strathpine Plant is now a dedicated paver manufacturing site, while the Cooroy Plant on the Sunshine Coast will continue to manufacturebricks and pavers. 

CSR Bricks & Pavers is part of CSR’s Building Products division andis a leading manufacturer of an extensive range of quality clay bricks andpavers for residential, architectural and commercial projects. It has a total of nine operating plants in Queensland, New South Wales,South Australia and New Zealand. The business markets under the PGH brand inmost states and territories of Australiaand in New Zealandmanufactures and markets clay bricks and pavers under the MonierbrickTM brand.