Cast Stone - Smart Choice For Construction

Toby Marlow, Building & Construction Director from Haddonstone, outlines why cast stone is the smart choice for modern construction and historical renovation...

Natural stone, such as marble, slate and sandstone, has been a core construction material around the world for centuries; think the Taj Mahal, Palace of Westminster, the Palace of Versailles, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for example. Weather-resistance, beauty, durability, and low maintenance contribute to the appeal of natural stone yet today, natural stone’s drawbacks are apparent.

With sustainability at the heart of all modern building specifications and regulations, this material that requires time-consuming extraction methods, costly cutting and finishing processes, and where replenishment of stocks can be inefficient, is a great challenge.

Cast stone, first used to build a medieval fortification in Carcassone, France in 1138, is a versatile, cost-effective alternative which is also proven in some of the most iconic buildings of the world. It is a practical construction material which can be moulded into an array of intricate designs and, because each component, whether a coping, cornice or column, is created in moulds, it’s possible to create large quantities of each without compromising on quality and uniformity.

Cast stone, which can be reinforced with steel and cast with lifting sockets, boasts a consistency which is ideal for high-end developments where a cohesive, luxury aesthetic is demanded.

Key to the imaginative designer is the fact that the versatile stone can be produced in a number of coloured finishes meaning that replacing existing features when preserving or extending historic buildings is easily accommodated. The material is strong with a good freeze and thaw resistance compared to natural stone and, whether the restoration is structural or cosmetic, high specification cast stonework can help bring historical architecture back to life.

Turning to the environment and sustainability, using limestone aggregates from local quarries over heavy natural stone imported from more distant regions, lessens the environmental disruption and carbon footprint caused by the intense excavation and transportation of natural stone.  For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit  www.haddonstone.com

Haddonstone At 55: Building The Future Of Architectural Stonework

“We’re not just making stone - we’re building trust, quality, and heritage that lasts for generations.” Nick Lantsbery, Managing Director, Haddonstone

Managing Director Nick Lantsbery

As Haddonstone approaches its 55th anniversary in 2026, Managing Director Nick Lantsbery reflects on the company’s performance, its people, and its plans for the future. Despite a challenging construction landscape, Haddonstone has not only maintained its position as a market leader but also strengthened its team, enhanced its systems, and prepared for sustained growth at home and abroad.

How has 2025 unfolded for Haddonstone in terms of performance?

The past few years have presented challenges across the construction industry, but Haddonstone has continued to deliver strong results, which is a testament to our loyal client base and the quality of our products. After a quieter winter in 2024, we experienced a very busy summer in 2025, which helped us regain momentum. Since then, whilst the garden and landscape markets remain seasonal, with the lion's share of orders being placed in spring and summer, our architectural business has remained consistently busy.

Where are new contracts coming from?

We’ve recently secured work with several new, large developers, which is very encouraging. The structure of the developer market is constantly evolving, so our priority is to build long-term partnerships based on trust, consistency, and quality. Haddonstone’s reputation opens doors, but it’s our reliability - delivering premium cast stonework on time, every time, that keeps those doors open.

What new markets will you focus on in 2026 and beyond?

Our priority is to maintain and strengthen relationships with our existing customers, many of which have remained loyal to us for many years. It's these relationships that are the foundation of our success. Beyond that, we’re focusing on expanding relationships with garden designers, landscape architects, and specifiers in the hospitality and retail sectors.

A recent example was a garden designer who needed our stonework at very short notice to elevate the exterior of a new Ivy restaurant. It’s a reminder of how important design and presentation are, and how Haddonstone can transform a façade with timeless quality and elegance.

We’re also growing our bespoke architectural and landscape cast stonework design services for homeowners and private clients who value quality, craftsmanship and heritage. These projects tend to remain steady even during economic downturns.

Have there been new appointments within the team?

Yes, we’ve welcomed three new recruits to strengthen the project management function in our Building & Construction team. We also continue to invest in our manufactory apprenticeship programme, which is vital for developing the next generation of craftspeople. 

At the same time, many of our colleagues have been with Haddonstone for decades, and their experience is invaluable to our customers.

We are always looking to upskill our team members, and as part of this commitment our current Health and Safety Manage, who previously managed our TecStone unit, has taken on the additional role of leading our quality control. He now checks all stonework before dispatch to ensure everything reaches our customers right the first time and in first-class condition. Balancing the rising costs of employment with our commitment to career development is something we take very seriously - it’s about investing in our people as much as our product.

How important is international business to Haddonstone?

Our overseas work is a key part of our strategy. We have well-established markets in the Middle East, the USA, Ireland, and the Channel Islands, each with its own architectural preferences and cultural influences.

In the Middle East, for instance, we supply ornate architectural features for high-end hotels and country clubs, while in the US, the demand for traditional British craftsmanship continues to grow in many states.

We’ve recently completed a major ERP system integration, connecting every area of our business to improve efficiency and customer experience. That’s already helping us deliver more effectively to our international clients and distributors.

Sustainability and innovation are increasingly important in construction. How is Haddonstone responding?

Sustainability is central to our approach, and we take every effort to embed sustainability practices across our business. Our materials are designed to last for generations, which in itself is one of the most sustainable qualities a product can have! 

We source all our UK limestone aggregates from a local, environmentally responsible supplier, and we are also investing in energy-efficient processes, waste reduction, and digital design tools that minimise material use without compromising strength or beauty.

Innovation doesn’t just mean new technology - it’s about rethinking how we deliver excellence. We’re combining our heritage craftsmanship with modern production methods to achieve the best of both worlds.

How would you describe your leadership vision for Haddonstone?

For me, it’s about clarity, consistency, and culture. We have a simple mantra: First-class product; right first time, on time. That’s not just a slogan - it’s a promise. We’re a premium brand, and with that comes a responsibility to lead by example. My role is to ensure we keep things simple for our clients, stay responsive to their needs, and never lose sight of what has made Haddonstone the trusted name it is today.

What can we expect from Haddonstone’s 55th anniversary year?

2026 will be a year of celebration and reflection. We’ll be marking 55 years of craftsmanship, innovation, and partnership with our clients. But more importantly, it’s a year to look forward - to invest in new ideas, new talent, and new collaborations. Our goal is to continue evolving without ever losing the essence of what makes Haddonstone truly unique: quality, service, and trust.

Any final thoughts?

I’m incredibly proud to be leading Haddonstone into our 55th year. It’s a privilege to guide such a talented team, uphold our heritage of quality craftsmanship, and continue building on the trust we’ve earned with our clients over more than five decades. I'm excited to see how we can continue to build and evolve our business in the years to come. For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit www.haddonstone.com

Haddonstone Strengthens The Team With A New Trio Of Project Specialists

Haddonstone, supplier of quality cast stone to the architectural, construction and garden industries, will celebrate 55 years in industry in 2026.  With the proven business continually developing, three new members have been added to the project and design teams.

Haddonstone's newest additions to the project and design team - pictured (left to right): Ben Hughes, Marco Van De Water, and Joe Blatchly.

Joe Blatchly has been appointed as Projects Administrator to support the commercial project team as a first stop for all types of enquiries from key customer sectors. He arrives directly from a role in market research where he supported business development and explains “From the first interview, I liked the welcoming atmosphere. I am confident that I will have opportunities to learn on the job.” 

Ben Hughes, Project Manager, comes from an estimating role in the sheet metal industry. “Looking for a new challenge to increase my existing skills and knowledge, I am now involved with CAD drawings on larger scale jobs, for example, along with the effective project management processes. Ben is looking to “work my way up in scale of projects and start dealing with even more complex ones and to possibly get involved in some 3D CAD.” 

Marco Van De Water, CAD Technician, assists project managers with the detailing of the stonework in CAD for orders and standardising the drawing process and filing systems. He has a useful pedigree in that he was technical manager for a developer, managing the planning and design of residential developments. He wanted to go back to working with bespoke, classical projects and used to specify Haddonstone! He is back to his roots. He adds, “I hope to be able to contribute my knowledge from both the architectural and development world to improve the standard of drawings to suit the clients’ needs, help streamline timescales and assist in growing the brand further.” 

For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit www.haddonstone.com