Ventcroft’s move to new premises steps up a gear
Halton Borough Council Chief Executive David Parr met up with the team at Ventcroft’s new premises on the Astmoor Industrial Estate earlier this month to review the fast track construction progress.
The Runcorn based specialist cable manufacturer needed to relocate as its current Goddard Road premises is on the route for the proposed Mersey Gateway Bridge. The advance sale has allowed Halton Borough Council to purchase a crucial parcel of land that will allow the project to proceed quickly if it is given approval by government in the autumn and, at the same time, reduce the risks for Ventcroft in a difficult relocation process where continuity of production is essential.
Ventcroft is building a new 90,000 sq ft facility on Faraday Road on Astmoor Industrial Estate, a site which was previously home to the Lion Foods Factory, which had been unoccupied for several years.
The new site is less than a quarter of a mile from Ventcroft’s existing premises on Goddard Road. The construction work is due for completion later this year.
The relocation provides the opportunity for the business to increase the size of its premises from about 65,000 sq. ft. to 90,000 sq. ft., to consolidate significant growth in recent years with some potential for increasing production capacity and future growth.
Ventcroft was founded in 1989 and now employs nearly 50 staff. Last year it had a turnover of over £11 million and is now the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of cable and electronic products for the fire and security market.
David Parr, Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted that the agreement reached with Ventcroft suits both parties by keeping the business and the valuable jobs it provides within the borough. This deal will help us to move forward quickly with Mersey Gateway if government approves the project later in the autumn.”
Frank Rotheram, Managing Director of Ventcroft, said: “We’re working closely with Halton Borough Council and are looking forward to moving to the new site in early 2011. We feel that this move can be a catalyst for us to develop our business, and in the long term we feel that the proposed new bridge will also be much needed to stimulate more investment and help grow the economy in the area.”