Our history
Talbot Block was first established by Thomas (known as Tom) Barry in 1963, with the business originally operating from Addison Road, Port Talbot. Tom and his stepfather hand-pressed each concrete block for resale, demonstrating a commitment to quality and hard work from the outset.
Tom ran the business while juggling shift work in the coal mill at the Port Talbot steelworks, known as “The Abbey” to locals, until 1970.
Meanwhile in 1968, Tom relocated the business to its current site at North Bank, The Docks, Port Talbot to enable the business to diversify and grow.
Upon moving to North Bank Tom bought a concrete block and slab machine to utilise this additional space, enabling him to manufacture a wide variety of concrete blocks and patio slabs.
Under Tom’s leadership Talbot Block went from strength to strength and in the mid-1970s, Talbot Block became one of the key suppliers to the Aberavon Shopping Centre complex, with the shopping centre celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
During this period the business diversified into the operation we have today; serving the local community supplying sand and aggregates, heavy side materials, timber, plastics and drainage, ironmongery and DIY patio & garden supplies.
In the 1990s, following the completion of dredging in the Port Talbot docks area, Talbot Block began sourcing and buying shipments of sand and gravel direct to their dock area for resale to customers.
Circa 2023, after 60 years at the helm, Tom stepped away from the day-to-day responsibility of running the business and handed over the reins to his eldest son Richard to lead Talbot Block into a new era.
