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Leading building products manufacturer Forterra has announced a £12 million investment in the manufacture of clay brick slips at its Accrington factory in Lancashire.

The investment will see Forterra capitalise upon growing market demand for brick slips, a material which combines the aesthetically appealing finish of traditional brick with a number of sustainability benefits, including the reduction of raw material and energy usage relative to the manufacture of traditional bricks.

Manufacture is expected to commence in late 2023, with a production capacity of up to 48 million brick slips per annum. This investment and the increased manufacturing output is expected to lead to the creation of 10 new jobs.

Brick slips, or “thin bricks” as they are sometimes known, are specially manufactured brick tiles which, when installed, have the appearance, colour and texture of an authentic brick wall. Typically used to create a façade wall, they are lighter weight than traditional masonry. Thanks to a speedier build-process, brick slips enable wind and water-tight buildings to be created earlier in the build programme. They also offer many of the benefits of standard bricks, including long-term durability, and easy and low cost maintenance.