History
For over 80 years, Midland Brick has been crafting the buildings that define Western Australia – from colonial homesteads to modern landmarks.
In 1946, a small group of entrepreneurs recognised Western Australia’s potential and established the Midland Brick Company. What followed was one of the great manufacturing stories of the state – a company that grew alongside Perth, supplying the bricks for homes, schools, hospitals and landmarks that still stand today.
Through world wars, economic booms and busts, technological revolutions and changing tastes, Midland Brick has endured by combining the permanence of fired clay with a relentless drive to innovate.
Years in the Making
Ric New establishes Midland Brick on 2.5 hectares in Middle Swan. Brother Gerry joins the business after returning from World War II.
The New brothers build their first square updraft wood-fired kiln with the help of first employees Snow Endersby (retired 1989) and Henry Rowe.
Ric helps establish the Clay Brick Manufacturers Association of WA and becomes the association's first president. Ric also establishes WA's first bricklaying school.
Midland Brick begins marketing cream Palomino bricks to add to red bricks.
After seven years as a partnership, Midland Brick Company is registered on 24 November.
Palomino is the No. 1 selling brick.
British Empire and Commonwealth Games held at Perry Lakes Stadium. Games village built at City Beach using Midland Brick products.
Ric and Gerry New travel to the US to obtain the latest brickmaking kiln technology. Midland Brick No. 1 tunnel kiln commissioned. Blue Tapestry is the No. 1 selling face brick.
Midland Brick No. 2 tunnel kiln opens. Range extends to 73 brick types. Whitemans Brick reaches annual capacity of 15 million bricks and employs 80 workers. Alan Bond buys Whitemans Brick; Lew Whiteman retires to concentrate on Whiteman Park. Cream Plain and Chocolate Plain are top selling face bricks.
Midland Brick No. 3 tunnel kiln opens.
Midland Brick No. 4 tunnel kiln opens.
Midland Brick No. 5 tunnel kiln opens.
Midland Brick switches from heavy fuel oil to natural gas to fire its kilns — the first business in the State to utilise the newly completed Dongara gas pipeline to Perth.
Midland Brick introduces the first purpose-made clay brick pavers in Australia. First Telethon Home built with Midland bricks.
Perth Concert Hall becomes first commercial clay paving job. Moroccan Leather Bark Face is the No. 1 selling face brick. Midland Brick No. 6 tunnel kiln opens. Annual capacity reaches 230 million bricks.
'Fastwall' internal brick system developed. Revolutionises the building industry. Best selling face brick is 'Hawaiian Plain'.
No. 7 kiln opens with 1.25 million bricks per week capacity. 83 brick types offered to Perth and international market.
Midland Brick reaches annual capacity of over 300 million bricks.
Midland Brick No. 8 kiln opens — twin of Kiln No. 7.
First container of Midland Brick pavers leaves for Japan. Dallas Mexican is the No. 1 selling face brick.
Hay Street Mall paved with 25,000 square metres of Midland Brick pavers. Handmade bricks range added.
Midland Brick acquires Whitemans Brick, making it the largest brick plant on one site in the world.
Ric and Gerry buy the Woodada gas field near Eneabba and supply gas to the Kwinana Power Station as well as Midland Brick. Limestone Hue, added in 1987, is the number one selling brick in WA.
Midland Brick founder Ric New passes away.
Boral Group buys Midland Brick Company Pty Ltd.
Midland Brick is quality endorsed to ISO 9002 (now ISO 9001:2000).
Cameo is the No. 1 selling face brick.
Guinness Book of Records recognises Middle Swan site as the largest brickworks on one site in the world. Midland Brick celebrates 50 years.
Kiln No. 10 opened. Florentine Limestone is WA's No. 1 selling face brick.
Gerry New passes away.
Midland Brick's Kiln 11 opens — the most technologically and environmentally advanced kiln in Australia, and the most modern brick kiln in the Southern Hemisphere.
Midland Brick celebrates 60 years.
Midland Brick celebrates 70 years.
Competition watchdog approvals pave the way for BGC to acquire Midland Brick.
BGC acquires Midland Brick. BGC retires the Brikmakers brand and wholly rebrands as Midland Brick.
Midland Brick celebrates 80 years. Midland Brick opens its NATA Accredited Laboratory to external industry partners.
Landmarks We Helped Build
Modern Coastal Home in Fremantle, WA
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore e...
Boutique Retail Storefront in Subiaco
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore e...
Industrial-Chic Urban Townhouse in East Perth
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore e...
