Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete is marking 40 years in business with further growth and an increased shareholding in its Northern Ireland division.
Oscrete, a subsidiary of Christeyns, is one of the UK’s leading specialist construction chemical suppliers which manufactures and supplies a range of concrete admixtures for precast and ready-mix concrete and the ready-to-use mortar industries.
Established in Bradford in 1983, the 18-strong team has increased its client base by more than 12% in 2023 and completed a deal to secure a 90% shareholding of Oscrete’s official Northern Ireland-based distributor, Adcrete.
Director Scott Wilson said the strengthened Oscrete business model and presence in Ireland will ensure the team has the infrastructure and the expertise to become the leading supplier of concrete admixtures and additives in the country.
“Our growth and turnover in Ireland has increased by 200% in the last four years and this growth serves to support the wider business operation throughout the UK. All of our products are manufactured here in Bradford and the success in Ireland reflects our continued growth in the UK markets, shown through our increase in customers and the expertise of our team, which has seen seven new appointments since the start of 2022.”
Oscrete was formed in 1983 when new markets were found for the oil and surfactant products made by its former parent company and laundry detergent manufacturer, Christeyns. Oscrete rapidly developed products for precast concrete, ready-mix concrete and mortar, leading to the growth of the brand as a specialised, high performance concrete admixtures producer.
In 2004 Oscrete launched Osperse performance additives (OPA) to facilitate its growth as a leading supplier of speciality additives for use in the manufacture of dry silo mortars and dry bagged products, while 2016 marked the formation of Adcrete Ltd, the sole Northern Ireland distribution partner for Oscrete admixtures and additives.
Adcrete was acquired by Christeyns in 2018 further strengthening the company’s ambitious plans for the Oscrete brand in the construction industry. In 2023, the newly independent Oscrete team has achieved the growth milestone of securing a 90% shareholding in the Adcrete business.
Scott added: “In 40 years, we’ve gone from being a small part of a bigger business specialising in laundry detergent chemicals to a standalone business which, in 2022 declared a new chapter of independence, giving us the flexibility to focus entirely on core market supply, customer service and new product development.
“As Oscrete continues to evolve, we are placing considerable resource and focus on our role as a construction chemical manufacturer to help reduce the CO2 footprint of concrete through cost effective, green product solutions, while our strategic growth involves both live and planned conversations around future acquisitions.”
