The acquisition of LB Silica sand and its quarry in Heath and Reach is a major boost to O’Brien Group’s haulage arm Ashvale Haulage.

Formed in 2001, Ashvale runs a fleet of 40 tipper lorries, hi-abs, and plant transport vehicles. The company will be boosted by the new requirement for the delivery of sand, and the transport of material for restoration of the quarry.

Ashvale Haulage operations director Richard Callanan takes on the role of quarry manager from retiring manager Richard Walpole.

The productivity of the high-grade silica sand processing has been boosted with M O’Brien Plant Hire’s extensive fleet of earthmoving equipment.

More than £2m has been spent on equipment in the first week to bring the project up to tier 3b emission standards, while also increasing the speed of sand processing with new sandvik screeners.

Michael O’Brien said: “I have been very excited about this deal for a very long time, and am so glad that it has all finally come together, this purchase will be a great boost to our material and aggregate supply activities and also to our haulage firm Ashvale.”