Portland limestone producers and processors Albion Stone have appointed Tony Porter as their new operations director. Tony will have overall responsibility for the factory, quarry and mining operations on the Dorset island of Portland, reporting to Michael Poultney, the managing director. Tony moves to Albion from Easton Masonry, also on Portland.

Tony\'s appointment is in line with Albion\'s investment and expansion programme that began in 2000 with the introduction of the UK\'s largest dedicated limestone tile line and the introduction of the latest jet belt, wire saw and hydro bag extraction technology in the quarries.

The introduction of this specialist extraction equipment enabled Albion finally to eliminate all blasting in their quarries and encouraged them to review future extraction techniques. This culminated in the opening of the first ever stone mine on Portland at Bowers Quarry last year (see NSS, November 2002) with a further mine to open at the new Stonehills site in 2005.

Michael Poultney commented: "In the last three years Albion Stone have undergone major ergonomic changes through all elements of our operation. We have dramatically changed our block extraction techniques in the quarries and have increased our production capacity in the factory with the introduction of new machinery and our tile line. This, featured alongside the opening of the first Portland stone mine, has expanded our business to such a degree that we needed to created a new post for an operations director.

"Tony\'s primary role is to oversee the day-to-day operations, reduce wastage and increase the out-put in the factory, quarry and mine. Our customers have come to expect quality Portland stone from us and we want to ensure we continue to be the best in our market place."