The Association of Brickwork Contractors

About Us

Continually seeking to improve standards

The Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) strives for the highest quality standards of materials and workmanship to ensure brickwork continues to make a positive and growing contribution to the urban landscape.

The objectives of the Association are, at all times, to promote the role of the bricklayer and brickwork contractor and to continually seek to improve standards through the focus of quality of work, employment, health & safety, and training and education.

ABC believes education and training should underpin all major advancements in quality, employment conditions and health & safety.

Located nationally, the Association’s members comprise of large brickwork subcontractors, with work undertaken including larger contracts such as renovation of historic structures.

All member companies have to demonstrate they have not just the will but also the expertise to deliver a quality product that enhances the use of brick and the associated materials that make up the total masonry package. By demonstrating the quality of brick, members also strengthen the demand from architects, specifiers and the public to use brick in future projects.

The Association was founded in 2003 and its Chairman is G Irving, former MD of Irving Whitlock. It has five members of staff and membership comprises of ten members and 11 associate members.

ABC knows that quality requires training and commitment. Member companies must have in place – or be willing to put in place – a quality plan and the necessary disciplines regarding training, including commitment to the CITB modern apprenticeship scheme.

Underpinning the Association’s four key objectives is the continuing training and education of all users of brick.

The Association strives to promote, encourage and improve technical knowledge and education of people in, or training to be in, the brickwork contracting industry so as to improve the overall standards of work.

Supporting the aim of endorsing the CITB board’s apprenticeship initiative, the Association made its first priority the appointment of a CITB-accredited group training officer.

At the moment, the Association is working on housing starts and liaising with the government on this. A Resource Energy Action Plan has been compiled by the construction industry and funded by WRAP. This had its parliamentary launch earlier this month.

ABC is part of the Brick Awards, which is an annual event and one of the best known architectural awards, which has increased the profile of brickwork and of the Association’s members.

The Association has been able to record stable economic conditions despite the current climate, and in the future, intends to forge links with the Guild of Bricklayers and Tylers, while also publishing an increasing number of technical publications. ABC will also continue to benefit from its sister organisation, which publishes the Brick Bulletin. This goes to approximately 20,000 designers and is a great source of communication for the Company.