Manufacturer relocates after £3.5m funding deal

A Black Country manufacturer has relocated after securing a £3.5m funding deal.

Cradley Heath-based A Perry & Co (Hinges) is the UK’s largest independent manufacturer and supplier of hardware and ironmongery to the trade.

It has moved to new 90,000 sq ft premises next door to its former base in Doulton Road after being backed by finance from Barclays.

The new base doubles the warehousing space for the business and will facilitate future growth.

The firm was established in 1925 by Arthur Perry and started out as a manufacturer of hinges and gutter brackets in Old Hill. It is still run by fourth generation family members and employs 85 staff supplying products to clients around the world.

The company has seen continued growth in recent years and has significantly increased its number of customers due to the depth of its product range, which continues to expand.

This growth instigated the move to new premises to accommodate the company’s growing order book. The £3.5m investment includes two-storey office space for a call centre and administration, two large manufacturing units, a 90,000 sq ft purpose-equipped warehouse and distribution centre, a loading yard and car parking.

Since moving to the site, the business has also taken on an additional five members of staff – a figure that is set to grow in line with the expansion of the business.

Commenting on the move, Guy Perry, managing director said: “While others in the market place are showing concern at this time of economic uncertainty, our confidence is high as we continue to grow and invest for the future.

“Our new centre will dramatically improve dispatch services to UK and overseas customers and I couldn’t be more proud and pleased that our capacity has increased to in excess of 14,000 pallet locations (10,000 tonnes). It’s an incredibly exciting to be expanding, creating new opportunities and continuing to be part of the community around our factory.

“The new facility demonstrates the importance Perry places in providing its staff with the best working environment possible, and provides the capacity needed to expand our workforce even further. The new site has been planned to future proof our continuing growth.  We are proud of our Black Country roots and our new site will play a key part in our five-year growth plan in line with the company’s 2021 vision.”

One of the secrets of the firm’s success is its willingness to look at ways in which it can diversify its product range.

This has seen it launch two new strands to the business; Primus, which specialises in garden art and accessories and Equestrian, which supplies a range of tack room, stable components and related equipment. Both were ideas introduced to the company by Mr Perry’s sons Steven and Chris.
 
Barclays has enjoyed a 90-year relationship with the business.  

Neil Barnes, Relationship Director at Barclays in the Black Country said: “A Perry & Co (Hinges) have a strong management team with a clear vision for the business. They are open to ideas and have introduced a range of efficiencies into the business to increase production output.

“They continue to identify ways in which to open up new markets and introduce new product ranges and this forward thinking approach has driven the success of the business, increasing sales and ultimately the need for larger premises. I wish them every success for the future.”