Profile

The quarrying of Cotswold stone at Naunton is referred to in the Doomsday Book in 1086. Even then, it was valued as a building stone and roofing slate which was so attractive that it travelled well beyond the local market.

The focus changed in the 1920s when the unique frost resistance of the Huntsmans limestone earned a new reputation as a high quality aggregate. In those days, the rock was worked by hand and transported by horse and cart.

The advent of mechanical power brought a steady expansion of the operation, and in 1936 the Hanks family (who still retain an interest) established Huntsmans Quarries as a private limited company. An updated crushing and screening plant was added in the 1960s as the quarry responded to the demand for aggregate for infrastructure. Investment has continued in more recent years as the operation has met increasingly demanding product and environmental specifications.

Today, Huntsmans Quarries is a small company in an industry dominated by national operators. In our own area and in our particular market sectors, however, we are very much a leader - in terms of the beauty and quality of our products and the fact that we still provide an essentially personal service.

With David Glenn as our Managing Director, we employ some 50 people directly and create employment for many more indirectly. The company operates two key sites in Gloucestershire - a major hard rock quarry at Naunton near Stow-on- the-Wold and a depot some 15 miles away at Bishops Cleeve.

Download the History of Huntsmans 2007 Calendar to see early quarry life photos.