The Early 1960s was a period of growing demand for cement in Northern Ireland. A.P.C.M / Blue Circle decided to meet this demand by developing additional cement-making capacity to supplement the capacity of their Magheramorne plant. An extensive search for a site identified two main contenders: Cookstown and Moira. Cookstown was chosen because of its central location, good quality raw materials - limestone and shale - and the skilled local workforce. Construction began in May 1967 and just over a year after construction began, the kiln was lit for the first time on 28th August 1968.
Over the next 30 years, significant investment in the cement mills, new computer control systems and packing facilities resulted in increased annual production capacities. The move into the new millennium was followed by a further computer system upgrade before the first name change at Cookstown in more than 30 years.
Going round in circles!
Blue Circle was established in 1960 and soon became synonymous with the highest quality cement available
HISTORY OF COOKSTOWN WORKS
Blue Circle Industries were acquired by Lafarge in 2001 with Cookstown becoming part of Lafarge Cement UK.
Just over 20 years and various rebrands after the Lafarge acquisition, Cookstown Works was purchased by Cookstown Cement Ltd in January 2022. The takeover was led by David Millar (Managing Director), a former Blue Circle and Lafarge executive with strong ties to the Cookstown works, as a 20% shareholder and the Cookstown-based LCC Group as 80% shareholders. The final step in this process to date has been the rebrand from Cookstown Cement to CEMCOR, which took effect in November 2022. With the works now under local ownership and following significant investment.