During the last 67 very successful years in the quarry and civil engineering contracting business, A.S. Ballantine Ltd has become established as one of the leading, independent family businesses in the quarry and civil engineering, plant hire and building sector throughout Ireland and further afield.
Founded in 1953 by the late Albert Ballantine, A.S. Ballantine Ltd. is now led by his three sons Stanley, Wesley and Jonathan and provides the construction industry with a vast range of quality products and services: The offering includes: quarry products, contract crushing and screening services, stone mastic asphalt, tarmac and bentonite enriched soil, heavy plant hire, volumetric concrete batching trucks and the highly successful and energy efficient ICF (Insulated Concrete Formwork) Building Systems.
The family values, on which Albert Ballantine founded the business, remain the ones that are still practised today. A.S. Ballantine Ltd has built a reputation for always seeking to do the right thing. “We are open and honest and treat our suppliers, customers and colleagues fairly,” said Jonathan.
“Our culture is to operate ethically and with integrity,” said Jonathan Ballantine, Managing Director. “We take pride in our work, in particular our employment records, working with our communities, exercising philanthropy and looking after the environment throughout our business activities.”
“Our commitment to running the business ethically means that we also have certain responsibilities, including what we give back to the community and how we affect the environment. Climate change is an increasingly important issue for future generations and us. We are committed to running the business with minimum adverse impact on the environment.”
Building solutions
The Ballantine Building Solutions team is lead by Jonathan and employs seven full time staff with plans to take on three more highly skilled individuals within the next 12 months.
The Ballantine family have built a very strong working relation with award-winning Canadian company, IntegraSpec, and have signed an agreement for the sole and exclusive distribution rights for IntegraSpec (ICF) for Ireland and the United Kingdom (including Channel Island and Isle of Man
“It has been a natural fit and significant achievement to obtain this prestigious distributorship,” said Jonathan.
The company has also recently purchased the IntegraSpec GB, which means they are now one of the few ICF companies who carry all their products in stock at their modern warehouse facility in Northern Ireland. From where they also operate a ‘just in time’ UK-wide distribution service.
“We have now added the award-winning ICF Bracing System Plumwall to our portfolio and can offer the trade several options of purchase and rent to purchase, in other words try before you buy,” explained Jonathan. “Thermal Bead Screed is another of our success stories. It’s a product we are developing. As the only supplier in the Province with a Volumetric Mixer, this means we can mix and deliver just what you require on site at a completive price.”
Market penetration will be strengthened by the recent appointment of the company’s new Sales and Development Manager, Chris McCartan, who has many years in the construction sector and is well known throughout the province and further afield.
Timber v ICF
“One thing is now certain about timber prices,” said Jonathan, “they’re now on par with the costs of ICF construction. Cheaper cost was the only edge that timber frame or even the traditional blocks and mortar ever had over ICF. Now that’s a thing of the past, the numerous advantages of ICF homes come at little to no premium to the home or building owner and the savings keep on going year-after-year.”
As a builder, you can now offer your buyers all the benefits of ICF for the price of a standard timber-frame dwelling while at the same time reducing your own risk of financial exposure to due the volatility of wood prices. IntegraSpec ICF will also streamline the construction process.
Finally
Jonathan concludes, “The construction industry may be living through uncertain times, but one thing has definitely become clear: concrete and ICF are your best solution if you want to avoid the risk and uncertainty of price fluctuations.
“What’s more, these materials no longer command a premium over the lower-performing timber frame and traditional blocks and mortar. This means that you can finally build comfortable, energy-efficient, durable homes without paying more.”
Sales office and showroom, Clara House, 37a Upper Dunmurry Lane, Dunmurry, BT17 OAA
T: +44 (0)28 90 686 756 (office)
Jonathan Ballantine, Managing Director: +44 (0)7801 531002
Chris McCartan, Sales and Development Manager: +44 (0)7801 531004
www.ballantinebuilding.com
