200 jobs to be created at listed firm’s new worldwide distribution hub
Speciality chemicals company Croda is to open its worldwide distribution hub at a new 232,150 sq ft warehouse in Goole.
The listed firm has signed up to a major pre-let on the Goole 36 Enterprise Zone in East Yorkshire with Tritax Big Box REIT’s logistics developer, db symmetry. The deal will see the creation of up to 200 skilled jobs during the construction phase of the project.
Croda, which creates, makes and sells speciality chemicals, will invest more than £7m into the fit out of the new facility. The site will become its worldwide distribution hub for products made at its three northern UK manufacturing sites and for the European delivery of products made across its global network.
Planning consent has been granted for 376,150 sq ft distribution warehousing space and the purchase of the 33-site on a pre-let basis from Homes England by LondonMetric Property, which has agreed to forward fund the 232,150 sq ft warehouse.
The new warehouse will enable Croda to operate a much larger distribution facility to service its growing global business. A new modern product-sampling department will be included as part of the investment, which will provide a more efficient service to the company’s expanding customer base. The site will also be home to a new International Employee Training Centre, providing development opportunities for the company’s global workforce.
The developer has worked closely with Croda to design and build a warehouse to exceptionally high safety and environmental standards. Energy and water saving measures will be key features of the project, combined with a zero waste to landfill policy. Investment in new automated processes and an anti-collapse racking system will offer the highest level of protection to employees at the site.
Maarten Heybroek, President of Croda Europe, said: “We are delighted at the prospect of securing a site in Goole for this investment as we are hugely proud of our Yorkshire heritage. Our founding Rawcliffe Bridge manufacturing site and our Global Headquarters, Cowick Hall, are both located less than 10 miles away. In line with our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, we will use the latest technologies to minimise our environmental impact and offer the most advanced safety features to our people in a facility of this kind.
“This announcement demonstrates the Company’s commitment to UK manufacturing and provides long term job security for the workforce who will move from our existing operation and for the new quality warehouse roles we will create.”
Freddie Oakey, associate development director at Tritax Big Box REIT’s developer, db symmetry, added: “Over the last 18 months we have become increasingly active in Yorkshire, identifying strategic sites where we can develop large scale logistics schemes. Goole 36 alongside the existing Capitol Park site is already well-established and the letting to Croda will only further increase Goole’s standing as a premier logistics destination in the North.”
Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council welcomes Croda’s multi-million-pound proposal for a new worldwide distribution centre at Goole 36, marking another great moment in the company’s long and proud history in the East Riding. This development will create a number of highly-skilled jobs and will also benefit the local economy with the company establishing its international training centre at the site.
“I’m pleased that Croda, like many other international businesses, have selected Goole as their preferred choice. This is due to its prime location and the support offered by organisations such as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, with its enterprise zone status and the excellent connectivity of the site to the extensive motorway network, port facilities and rail connections.”
Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, said: “’This is a fantastic step forward and will be very welcome news to local people.
“Croda are a well known local company and their decision to invest in Goole 36 is a major boost to the local economy, proving once again that Goole is perfectly located to attract investment and jobs.”
Neil Graham, Head of Accelerated Delivery at Homes England said: “Following our successful ERDF bid for £6,400,000, which Homes England match funded, we were able to construct infrastructure that enabled the creation of Goole36 which provides 130 acres of employment land. Working with East Riding Council, Goole36 has created strategic success for the region. Siemens PLC are already signed up to create a major advanced engineering facility and we are delighted that Croda will now also provide quality jobs at Goole36.
“Creating employment sites forms a key element of our housing strategy with employment and housing land uses being closely connected.”
Owned by Homes England, the 33-acre site is situated close to the East Coast Sea Ports of Goole, Hull, Immingham and Grimsby. Nearby occupiers include Tesco, Guardian Glass, XPO Logistics and Drax.
The project team includes Fox Lloyd Jones as project managers; Planning Indigo Planning; Rex Proctor and Partners as cost consultants; architects as DLA Design; engineers JPG Group and BREEAM Consultant Scott Hughes Design. Law firm Mills & Reeve acted for db symmetry.
