Wellwood Hawkins Builders

tiles business: tiles business

A major manufacturer of concrete residential roofing tile, Hanson Roof Tile, plans to build a new manufacturing facility in the Metroplex, despite growing concerns about an oversupply of new homes. The Fort Worth plant, slated to open in the second quarter of , is Hanson's first in North Texas and its second in the state. Florida-based Hanson Roof Tile said it will spend million to build the new -foot plant and to update a smaller, 2-year-old plant in Luling, about 60 miles northeast of San Antonio. "We're obviously concerned" about the slowing new-home market, said Dylan Walters, executive vice president of Hanson Roof Tile. "But like other companies, at Hanson in particular, we invest for the future, and we know the market will turn." The new plant at 610 Riverside Drive in east Fort Worth off Interstate 30 will employ 50, according to information supplied by the company. The plant is going up on a site owned by Hanson's parent, Hanson P.L.C. Luxury trimmings The plant should be a welcome addition to the market, said Steve Burke in Plano, director of production for Hawkins Wellwood Homes L.P., a luxury builder whose homes typically start at million. In North Texas, concrete tile is typically seen most often on homes $2 million and up, usually in the California or Mediterranean style, Burke said. Hawkins Wellwood builds three to four homes a year with tile roofs. The market's there, but it's a niche market," Burke said. "It would be good to have a plant there. We'd make use of them." Hanson expanded into Texas two years ago. Population growth in North Texas lured the manufacturer to the region. D-FW's inventory of new homes is reported to be high, but at the same time the industry says new home sales are also at record levels. Hanson's Luling plant now serves the entire state. That will change in the future. When the Fort Worth plant opens -- with about twice the capacity as Luling -- it will serve North Texas, and possibly Austin and Houston, Walters said.

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