Holcim has snapped up one of the Midlands and East of England’s largest independent materials suppliers in a deal that expands its quarrying, recycling and readymix footprint across nine sites.

The acquisition brings PJ Thory, Gemmix and Pro Minimix into the Holcim UK business, adding sand and gravel reserves, limestone operations, a recycling centre, and a strong network of readymix plants.

The businesses turn over around £30m and employ around 130 staff, operating from a headquarters in Coates, near Peterborough.

The sites stretch from Market Harborough and Northampton through to Peterborough, Ely, Barnwell and St Ives, significantly boosting Holcim’s coverage across the East Midlands and eastern counties.

Holcim UK chief executive Lee Sleight said the deal strengthened the firm’s landbank, widened its readymix footprint and bolstered its recycling capacity as it accelerates plans to grow circular construction materials.

James Thory, managing director of TJ Thory Holdings which owned all of the acquired companies, said: “We’re really looking forward to taking the business forward with Holcim UK and harnessing its expertise and networks.”