Haulier’s £6m expansion will lead to jobs payback

A Lancashire company’s £6m expansion will lead to more jobs being created, more customers being served and a new kit for a local football team.

North West Logistics, based on Altham Business Park in Accrington was founded in 2009.

After riding the recession, the company decided to expand and, although a number of locations were considered, it found the perfect spot next door.

Managing director Stephen Dunn said: “We weathered the recession by keeping our costs down and so we were able to look more long term.

“Our original building was leased, but we were in a position to buy. Computer company Exertis was relocating from Altham Business Park to Burnley Bridge and we decided to buy their building in February last year and lease it back to them until their move was complete.

“Exertis have always been very accommodating and flexible towards us, which has been a great help in the transition to our new building.”

Adjacent to the building was a large field ideal for parking for the company’s fleet of 50 articulated lorries. Planning permission was granted and building work will be completed in October 2017.

Dunn said: “Before we had a small lorry park and on a weekend when all the vehicles would return it was like a jigsaw puzzle to get them all parked. Moving here will be a big improvement.

“We transport goods for customers all over the mainland UK and into Europe and we offer warehousing for customers’ products.

“We work on repeat contracts with a number of blue-chip multinationals and have around 10 core customers.
“With the new building, which is five times larger, we will be looking to take on new staff and will be expanding our customer base in the next year.

“We have also invested in the local community by sponsoring Accrington Stanley’s Ladies’ Football Team with a new away kit.”

Community manager of Accrington Stanley Community Trust Martin Fearon said: “It is fantastic to be involved with a local company like North West Logistics and we really appreciate the support they are giving to the ladies’ team.”

The expansion was made possible by a combination of Regional Grant Funding, investment from the company and a bank mortgage from HSBC.

Dunn added: “Over the next few years we see the business growing and jobs being created; it is all good news for the Hyndburn area.”