Luxury horsebox manufacturer with Royal clients creates 30 jobs with HQ move
A LUXURY horsebox manufacturer with Royal clients is relocating to Barnsley, creating up to 30 jobs.
Equi-Trek is moving into the former Fox Wire building near Stocksbridge to enable it to push forward with growth plans.
The family-run company is in the process of closing its five rented locations across Meltham and Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire, and will operate from its new 186,000 sq ft base from January.
The majority of the existing 130-strong workforce will move with them, and interviews are currently taking place for jobs in coach building and administration.
After launching in 1999, Equi-Trek is now the largest producer of horseboxes and trailers in the UK and the largest exporter of vehicles to Europe. It has clients in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, and following the gain of a commercial relationship with Ford USA the company is about to begin exporting vehicles to America.
Equi-Trek is also a supplier to the Queen’s estates and the GB equestrian team, and in 2012 it began using its horsebox expertise to manufacture motor homes under the name of Moto-Trek. The relocation will enable them to grow both sides of the business to meet increasing demand.
Tom Janion, managing director of Equi-Trek said: “Moving five sites under one roof is no easy task but this feels like the start of a new era for the company, especially now we are starting to supply to America, which could be a huge market for us.”
The new site, which is a quarter of a mile long, will provide an additional 50,000 sq ft of space and will house a showroom at the front, with building and manufacturing facilities behind it.
Equi-Trek has invested £2.8m in acquiring, clearing and building on the former Fox Wire property off Stocksbridge by-pass.
The company’s relocation has been supported by Enterprising Barnsley, which has helped it to secure a £283,000 grant to back the move from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Cllr Roy Miller, cabinet spokesperson for Barnsley Council and member of the Leeds City Region Business Growth Fund panel, said: “Inward investment is vital to the economic development of Barnsley and we’re delighted to see such a successful company move into the borough. As well as creating jobs, Equi-Trek have some really exciting plans for the future and we’re looking forward to supporting their growth.”
Chair of the LEP, Roger Marsh, said: “I am delighted Leeds City Region business, Equi-Trek, are growing their international customer base and creating a significant number of new jobs. The LEP is here to support ambitious companies.”
