For centuries, the Buxton lime industry has carved a distinctive mark on the town's identity and topography. Since its birth in the 17th century, the industry has been a formidable force, evolving with time and influencing the region’s building and construction industry. The Buxton Lime Firms (BLF), established in 1891, etched its mark in the region’s economy and then became part of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in 1926. Buxton proudly served as the headquarters for I.C.I. Lime Division until the 1970s, cementing its historical significance. Buxton’s quarrying sector, a cornerstone of its economy, boasts several limestone quarries, including the renowned "Tunstead Superquarry." This superquarry, Europe's largest producer of high-purity industrial limestone, provides employment to 400 individuals. Beyond extraction, the quarrying sector extends to limestone processing and distribution, creating a robust economic ecosystem.
It’s these historic quarries that tie Buxton to the country’s building and construction industry. The town has come to host Hillhead – a premier trade show that presents innovation and advancements within quarrying, construction, and recycling. Set against the backdrop of the Hillhead Quarry just outside Buxton, this event brings together exhibitors and manufacturers to showcase heavy machinery in action. What sets Hillhead apart is its emphasis on live demonstrations, providing a unique opportunity for exhibitors to make informed purchasing decisions by observing how each vehicle and piece of machinery behaves. That’s on top of the high-level connections being made.
Hillhead’s diverse product portfolio spans the entire value chain, featuring washing equipment, stone working machines, vehicles, shredders, rock processing, recycling machinery and ball and roller bearings. Hillhead 2022 marked a significant chapter in its history, setting new records for exhibition space, exhibitor numbers, and opening-day attendance. The enthusiasm to resume face-to-face interactions reverberated, reflecting the buoyancy in the construction sector. As the construction industry experiences a boom, this trend is anticipated to continue in future editions.