President's Message

A message from Hanson Building Products’ President, Richard Manning

Hanson Building Products is fortunate to serve two of the three great countries that make up North America. But like most countries, they have a huge opportunity – creating nations that are built to last. When I moved to the states eight years ago from the UK, I immediately noticed this as well as the need for improving America’s infrastructure. Then I moved to Texas, and realized the opportunity our company had in improving our already existing corporate social responsibility strategy and telling our sustainability story. As a father and grandfather, and an employer of 4,500 of the industry’s best, I believe personally and professionally that we at Hanson are responsible for building a safe, secure infrastructure for our children’s children.

The most widely agreed upon definition of sustainability requires that we meet the needs of today without negatively impacting future generations. When a company claims to be sustainable and have future generations’ best interests in mind, it should be evident in its daily operations, employees’ behaviors as well as in the products it manufactures.

Often forgotten, a strong community foundation and its infrastructure serve as the central operating system for our cities, businesses, homes, roadways and recreation areas. Even though some of the products that we manufacture are largely unseen, they affect our lives daily by allowing us water when we turn on the tap, removing raw sewage from our homes and ensuring safe roadways for our children and loved ones. When money is spent on something so significant, spend it wisely and make it last – don’t make our children or grandchildren pay for the decisions we make today.

Concrete and clay based products have essentially been made the same way, literally, for hundreds of years. The Hampton Court Palace near London, UK, heralded as one of the most beautiful brick buildings in the world, was finished in 1540 and has only increased in beauty with age. Roman aqueducts, the oldest known form of gravity conduit systems, date back to the first century AD and are still intact. It is easy to see that long before sustainability became the newest addition to 21st century business strategies, the products we manufacture were defining the term.

Today, with the rapid deterioration and mass repair and replacement of existing buildings and underground infrastructure, far too many precious resources are being used for new products and valuable land is being filled up with construction waste. More than $1.6 trillion is needed over five years to improve our infrastructure to barely adequate conditions. We are just now dealing with problems caused by decisions made more than 50 years ago, when projects weren’t designed to last in excess of a 100 years. Our traditional culture as a throw away society has to change. It has to change now before it is too late.

Our products have a strong past and an even stronger future, but we do not draw the line there. A socially responsible business requires a focus not only on sustainability but on quality, service, safety and return on investment for our stakeholders. Of all of these, regardless of economic conditions, government pressures or the desire to be seen in a more positive light, Hanson Building Products always places its emphasis on safety. Everyone has the right to go home exactly as they came to work that morning, albeit slightly more tired. Regardless of the resources we use in the manufacturing of our products, our most precious resource is our employees, my team. It is our responsibility to keep them safe in the workplace, in the same way as it is our responsibility to keep the environment safe.

I am proud to lead a business that is socially responsible with a long history of sustainability, not just a newly formed commitment. For hundreds of years our products have made a positive contribution to society and the environment, and we plan to continue making improvements so that our positive legacy will continue for the next 100 years and beyond.

Best Regards,
Richard Manning
Hanson Building Products North America