WBB and SMC merge

"IN line with integration plans announced earlier this year (see Quarry Management May 2001), on 1 October Watts Blake Bearne & Co. plc and Sibelco Minerals and Chemicals Ltd merged to form WBB Minerals Ltd, creating a new company with around 1,700 employees, an annual sales revenue in excess of £200 million and a total annual sales volume of almost 11 million tonnes, comprising approximately equal amounts of white firing clays, red firing clays and industrial sands."

"WBB Minerals operate over 30 sites and have facilities in 10 countries throughout Europe, with significant strength in the UK, Germany and Spain. The company supplies over 6,000 customers primarily in the ceramics, glass and foundry industries, with two-thirds of total sales comprising exports to over 60 countries worldwide."

"Meanwhile, in a separate move, WBB Minerals have announced the formation of a joint-venture company in Portugal with José Mota and Carlos Mota. The new company, WBB Mota, will combine various raw material, mining, processing and prepared ceramic interests in the region and is expected to provide unique opportunities for the development of new products and services, both to the local and wider European ceramic industries."