Weber
to Build New Production Unit in Telford
Construction materials manufacturer Weber, part of the global Saint-Gobain
Group, has commissioned the building of a state-of-the art production
and warehouse facility in Telford, Shropshire – one of the fastest
growing manufacturing areas in the West Midlands – with completion
scheduled for summer 2008.
The eight-acre site will initially accommodate a 5,500m2 factory designed
to output 80,000 tonnes of facade renders and tiling adhesives annually.
This is in addition to Weber’s existing manufacturing sites in
Flitwick, Bedfordshire and Ballyclare, Northern Ireland which will remain
fully operational.
From
left to right: George Russell, Plant Development Engineer; Kevin Medhurst,
Production Manager; Eamon McDonnell, Managing Director; Malcolm Knobel-Forbes,
External Project Manager.
The
design follows an architectural and technical template already successfully
employed by Weber in several other European countries and will include
the iconic 33m high round production tower which will be an easily identifiable
feature on the local landscape. Presently there are 27 worldwide Weber
locations.
'The new facility will effectively free up capacity in the Bedfordshire
factory where our technical mortars will continue to be produced,' says
Kevin Medhurst, Plant Manager. 'Construction forecasts and trends for
the UK and Ireland identify the need for increased capacity across all
of our business activities and the new facility means we will no longer
have to rely on costly imported raw materials from our sister companies.
This will enhance our customer service with controlled costs and faster
turn round, and reduce those expensive travel miles.' Render products
and tile adhesives and grouts will primarily be manufactured at Telford.
In size, the Telford site is one and a half times that of the Bedfordshire
facility providing opportunity for further development in the longer
term. 'This is only the first stage of our UK expansion plans in what
will undoubtedly be Weber’s flagship plant. There is the potential
for considerable investment here,' continues Kevin.
Although largely a mechanical manufacturing process, Weber expects to
provide up to 30 job placements across manufacturing, administration,
distribution and logistics when the factory is up to full capacity.
The new factory is designed to minimise energy use and meets the most
stringent emissions criteria. Extensive site restoration and landscaping
will be made on completion. This facility will be BREEAM certified,
being the world’s most widely used environmental assessment method
for buildings, and contribute to the sustainability of modern structures.
Joining the Weber project team at the ceremonial ‘breaking of the
sod’ were members from Transforming Telford, the economic regeneration
company responsible for creating sustainable communities, stimulating
economic growth and improving employment opportunities. Weber and Transforming
Telford have worked closely with English Partnership, from whom the
land was purchased, the Government’s national regeneration agency
which aims to deliver high quality, sustainable growth in England.
Chris Baker, Senior Development Manager at English Partnerships said:
'We are delighted to have been able to contribute to the growth of Telford
and that Weber has chosen this location for its flagship plant in the
UK. This type of industrial development will encourage the continued
economic regeneration of Telford.'
Sarah Raper, Chief Executive of Transforming Telford said: 'This is
great news for Telford as building technologies is an important sector.
We are delighted that a market leader like Weber recognises the potential
and that this new build will be a showcase for the company. We look
forward to working with them to develop the sector further.'
Web: http://www.netweber.co.uk
