A company supplying crushed stone for the construction sector has recruited new drivers for its 12-strong fleet of vehicles.

PMW Quarries, based at Lower Cumberworth, turned to Honley-based Driver Recruitment Agency (DRA) to fill two vacanices for drivers – and following a three-month temporary contract both have been taken on permanently.

Paul Greenleaf, of PMW Quarries, said the company might be looking to take on more drivers next year – and would certainly be using DRA to provide cover during the holiday period.

PMW Quarries has also recruited an additional office worker as demand for its services grows with the onset of the economic recovery. Contracts have included ones to deliver aggregate to the new Haribo sweet factory at Castleford, for social housing schemes and during the early days of construction to he new Huddersfield leisure.

The company, which was founded more than 35 years ago by husband and wife Peter and Marlene Watson, transports thousands of tons of aggregate to building sites and builders’ merchant outlets as well as for road construction.

The company has invested in replacement vehicles and now has a fleet of 12 MAN trucks. It is also upgrading its website to be mobile-friendly and additional enhancements.

Andy Thorp, of DRA, said demand for drivers from the haulage industry was increasing – but a shortage of skilled drivers was affecting the sector. “The general haulage industry is showing an improvement,” he said. “There is plenty of work out there, but we can’t get enough drivers!”

The firm was launched in 2013 by Andy and his father Peter. Andy has about 12 years experience in driver recruitment while Peter has a background in financial services, having run his own business for more than 30 year.

DRA has clients in Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford, Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield, Sheffield, Barnsley and surrounding areas.

Commenting on the tie-up with PMW, Andy said the client had been sceptical about using a recruitment agency, but said: “Over the last couple of years, we have gained their trust culminating in them asking us to recruit staff for them.

“From our point of view, we are really pleased that they have been able to help a local company.”