Independent Welsh slate producers Berwyn have published a brochure to promote their range of products and will this month be having a Gregori automatic polisher installed.

It is part of the continuing development that has taken place since the Bickford family of builders and civil engineers bought Berwyn slate quarry in 1991, re-opening it in 1995.

Slate is sawn from the quarry using a Pelligrini wire saw. The blocks are moved by a 20-tonne Daewoo excavator and five-tonne Nissan to be sawn on a 2.7m blade Fickert & Winterling primary saw and a 1m Camma bridge saw.

Because the quarry does not produce roofing slate, Berwyn Slate Quarry Ltd have not sold roofing among their ranges, even though they do buy slate from other quarries in Wales. That, however, is about to change as they prepare to re-open their Swansea yard, which they own from the building side of the business, with a much stronger emphasis on slate.

They have until now also only sold Welsh slate, but that, too, could be about to change. "I\'m looking into other products from all over the UK," says Andrew Bickford, who heads the business.

The Bickfords\' slate business has grown steadily since they re-opened the quarry and started establishing a reputation for themselves and now employs six people. They supply both finished products, such as worktops, fireplaces and cills, and scants and sawn-six-sides to the trade.

The quarry dates from the early 18th century and was worked continuously until the 1940s, and then intermittently until the late 1980s.

Since the Bickfords took over the operation they have received the support of the Welsh Development Agency, who have now provided more grants for the new Gregori polisher and the production of the brochures.

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