The woman laying the foundations of Telford
Behind, or rather under, the house building programme in Telford are an army of local businesses instrumental in making what could be your next home.
This week I went to Lilleshall to meet Natalie Hicks, quite literally putting the foundations down across many sites in Telford and beyond as Best Concrete.
Based on the family farm, Natalie took an unusual path to head up the firm.
At first, helping out her Dad with a few deliveries after passing her test as a HGV driver in 2019, “The people on sites were great. Always willing to help out, when I was lost, and washing the chutes off for me.”.
Natalie then qualified as Biomedical Scientist and was working at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford when in 2022 her Dad asked for help to run the concrete business. A new batching system was installed to help grow the business.
“It was fairly difficult decision to make, but we had a great relationship and I joined the family business.
“It’s a scientific process mixing concrete, so a scientific mind helps. The product needs regular testing to ensure it meets the British Standards requirements. We have consultants who advise on mix designs.”
In 2023 however, her father died and Natalie stepped up to plate, taking over the running of the business.
Roll on to Spring 2025 and the firm has four volumetric mixers in the fleet along with six barrel mixer trucks.
Natalie explained the difference between the two systems. “With the volumetric trucks, the water, cement, sand and gravel are stored in separate tanks and the precise mix is programmed from a computer. This means you can do small batches very precisely and it’s all delivered fresh to the project.
“The barrel mixers are filled from the batching system. This is ideal to produce large quantities for sites who need lots of concrete quickly.”
With contracts for house builders across the town, there are plans afoot for the firm. A new product that reduces the need to tamp down poured concrete, and another mixer to deliver even more concrete, even more quickly are both on the cards for this year.
Telford is a great place to do business as a concrete supplier, and the future looks positive for Best Concrete. Although Natalie is the head of the firm, she is not afraid to get her feet dirty “I’ll still jump in a cab and help with a delivery if we are short of staff”.
Me? I’m still cleaning my shoes four days later.
Pic: Natalie in front of a selection of barrel mixers
