An exciting multi-million-pound project is getting underway in the town centre of Keighley, West Yorkshire, that will see stairlift manufacturer, Platinum Stairlifts, more than double production efforts with their plans to relocate to a new, purpose-built premises, to serve the demands of their global market, set to create at least 30 new skilled jobs in the area by the beginning of 2022.
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In Platinum Stairlifts’ 25th year, the British manufacturing company is in a period of strong growth. The organisation is about to embark on a transition, consolidating their existing sites in the Aire Valley and Lancashire and investing over £5 million into opening a brand new, state of the art, custom-built facility in the town centre of Keighley. Due to open early 2022, this will allow them to significantly increase production capacity and improve processes.
Despite Brexit and many manufacturing industries moving overseas in recent years, British stairlift manufacturing is a strong and growing sector, and one still prevalent in the North of England. This sector provides much needed skilled job opportunities within the region.
CFO, Marcus Green, explains, ‘The project has been designed by MA Design & Planning of Bingley and construction will be managed by Gardiner & Theobold, overseen by HB Projects as the principle contractor and will provide a huge 58,000 square feet of production facility over two floors. With brand new machinery, many process efficiencies, ability to hold further stocks and the capacity to add hours on the production line, we will be able to more than double our output, improve turnaround times for customers and thus profitability for the group.
‘We are therefore working on an extensive recruitment drive, with the help of local agencies and colleges to recruit enthusiastic trainees and professionals who are looking for a stable, skilled careers in the local area. This is a fantastic opportunity and we are delighted to get the development underway.’
This exciting news coincides with the company celebrating 25 years in industry this year. Founded in 1996 in Keighley, West Yorkshire, the company now employs over 200 colleagues and ships over 10,000 stairlifts to a global network of partners each year. The company is now at a point where the scope for expansion is significant and therefore will be investing heavily in the new changes.
CEO, Clive Briscoe, say ‘We worked closely with colleagues to understand what they wanted from the new facilities. As a result, the site will accommodate 90 much needed car parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points, secure bike parking, shower and canteen facilities. The site is within easy walking distance of Keighley’s public transport and ‘A‘ road link, providing easy access for our colleagues.
Clive continues ‘Environmentally friendly design aspects have been considered and incorporated from the outset. With a circular heating system installed using the heat produced by the welding machines re-used to heat the building and a waste compaction system and recycling facility. It’s important to get these aspects included from the outset, making our operations environmentally sound and future proof.’
The construction started in May this year with the site scheduled to be opening in January 2022, with a transition from the other sites and new starters being staggered over 2022. Platinum Stairlifts plan to keep their head office at Crosshills Business Park with renovations planned for this building also, incorporating executive offices and a customer showroom.
