CHAP Group has completed a recent expansion of its quarrying division with the opening of a new concrete ready-mix plant north of Aberdeen.

The Westhill-based group has invested nearly £700,000 in the plant which is located within the Aberdeenshire Council-operated Balmedie Quarry in Belhelvie.

The expansion is a result of the group identifying a requirement for a second plant to join its existing facility within its Park Quarry near Drumoak in Deeside and will be used to service both residential and commercial developments in the north of the city.

CHAP’s burgeoning quarry division has been at the heart of the group’s growth in recent years and was a key driver behind the north-east company’s most recent financial results in which it reported pre-tax profits of more than £1.3 million.

The profit, which was on a turnover of £37.43m, followed the announcement of a new £20m banking facility with Santander to support the group’s focus on further strategic growth.

Hugh Craigie, CHAP Group joint managing director, said: “We’ve been pursuing an investment in a second concrete plant within the city for a number of months after we identified a requirement for a facility north of Aberdeen to join our existing plant in Deeside.

“The location of the new plant is significant in that it perfectly positions us to service key commercial and residential developments within suburbs such as Dyce and Bridge of Don.

“Despite the current challenging economic climate in the north-east, a number of major developments are continuing to come to fruition and demand on the quarry side of the business remains strong. This recent investment will enhance our ability to meet both this demand and the requirements of our growing list of clients.

“The quarrying division has been a big part of CHAP for decades and remains an integral part of our strategy moving forward as we look to continue to pursue new opportunities for growth across all divisions.”