April Insight:

April has been… a very typical April.

A month of wind and shifting conditions across our three slate quarries. It’s been a mix of graft, problem-solving and most importantly, getting the job done right. A time that has reflected the realities of the industry, where hard work, skill, and capability sit at the heart of everything we do.

What’s kept things interesting is where our stone has ended up. From farms and agricultural buildings (places where slate earns its keep), to carefully constructed walls and hedges that shape landscapes and properties.

Our slate covers a wide reach of the southwest; somewhere in the middle of it all, there is always a quiet standout amongst the many walls being built and boundaries being defined. A hidden gem. A piece of craftsmanship that goes beyond function, stone chosen with care, laid with precision, handled by someone who clearly knows their craft and isn’t in a rush to prove it.

These are the projects that may not always shout the loudest, but they stand as a testament to the craft behind the material. Like a diamond in the rough, they remind us that even in the most traditional settings, there is space for precision and artistry.

We recently received the below photograph of a breathtaking wall constructed using our facing stone. A piece of art! We think this is a marvellous creation and are in complete awe of their work.

Operationally, April has brought a welcome increase in demand. We’ve seen a clear spike in orders across all three quarries, resulting in more deliveries. However, the conditions have not made things easy.

The wind has made dust control particularly difficult this month. Just as things start to settle, another gust comes along and reminds you who’s in charge. Managing dust is a critical part of our day-to-day operations and is something we have to maintain.

Then there’s diesel…

All of our quarrying vehicles rely on diesel, and with the increase in deliveries this month, fuel usage has naturally risen alongside demand. It’s one of those unavoidable pressures in the background, always ticking away.

Aside from these challenges, that’s a wrap for April and as we move into May, we look forward to what the month offers.