Hanson Building Products has changed its company name to Forterra, following a recent divestment by former owners HeidelbergCement.

The rebranding brings with it a new logo and a fresh identity to the business, it says, and adds that its selection of products and services will be unchanged.

The company, which operates in North America and the United Kingdom, makes a concrete and clay building products with UK brands, including clay bricks, Thermalite blocks, aggregate blocks, Red Bank chimney, roofing and flue systems, precast concrete, Jetfloor and Formpave permeable paving.

Structherm, a subsidiary specialising in external wall insulation, is unaffected by this rebranding.

Forterra employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide, 1,600 of whom work in the UK at 18 manufacturing facilities and the new Northampton based head office.

Stephen Harrison, UK managing director of Forterra, said: “The Hanson name and logo may have been replaced by Forterra, but this is a change of branding only.

“We remain committed to the excellence and integrity recognised by our customers and the construction industry in general, and we want to use this rebranding to reinforce our values.

“We will continue to be a leading building products manufacturer in the UK, and a key player within the construction industry. As Forterra, our business enters an exciting new era.”

The company says Forterra is a name that clearly states what it stands for and how it creates value: giving form (For-) to the earth (-terra).

The company logo is said to be inspired by the shapes and forms of Forterra products, with a strong wordmark that exemplifies the fortitude and solidarity of the company.

The new name is effective immediately, and will be implemented across the company’s products, services and communications over the coming months. Company emails and web addresses will also change to reflect the Forterra name.

These changes only apply to Hanson Building Products, while Hanson Cement, Hanson Quarry Products and Hanson Contracting will all continue to be part of Hanson UK, which remains within the HeidelbergCement Group.

There will be no ongoing connection between Hanson UK and Forterra.