German-owned manufacturer set for West Midlands expansion

A GERMAN-owned manufacturer is set to expand operations in the West Midlands with the construction of a new purpose-built factory.

Classeq, which manufactures commercial dishwashers, has exchanged contracts and applied for planning permission to build the new facility at Beacon Business Park in Stafford. The facility is set to create a number of new jobs.

Classeq, currently based in Hixon, was set up in 1977 to provide glass and dishwashing equipment to the hospitality industry.  The company has since grown to dominate its sector and was purchased by German-based family-owned business Winterhalter Gastronom in 2004 when the company looked to increase its investment in the UK.

Growth over the past 12 years has seen Classeq expand to supply an extensive range of industrial washing machines, ice making machines and accessories for customers in the UK, Europe, Australia, South Africa and Asia.

Its 45-strong workforce designs, develops and produces specialist machines for all types of hospitality venues including those with limited space, machines specifically for the Asian market, and even machines for high speed trains in Germany and the rest of Europe.  

A strategic review in 2014 led to further expansion of the product range, a redesign of all existing products and the realisation that it had outgrown its existing premises and needed to expand its own manufacturing and distribution operation into a single facility within Staffordshire.

A planning application designed by Stafford-based architects Barnett Ratcliffe Partnership was submitted earlier this year.

Construction of the new 3,000m² square metre facility will incorporate purpose-built production lines, sales and support offices, meeting rooms and a new showroom, all under one roof.

The new plant follows the recent completion of a 4,000m² headquarters building at Beacon Business Park, again for a German business – construction equipment group Wacker Neuson.

Gary Jones, technical director at Classeq, said: “The location of Beacon Business Park, delivering fast access to the entire UK transport network will improve the delivery service throughout our UK customer base and direct access to all the UK ports for our expanding worldwide export shipments.  

“Relocating closer to Stafford also means that our workforce can cycle to work or take advantage of public transport.”

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