Global chemical firm builds on £50m investment with new Leeds HQ launch

THE UK and Ireland division of a global distributor of chemical ingredients has been given a major vote of confidence from its German owners in the form of a multi-million pound investment and this week welcomed senior management from its parent company to the official launch of its new UK head office in North Leeds.

Brenntag UK & Ireland, the market leading distributor of chemical ingredients used across a range of sectors including food and nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, household and industrial cleaning, has received over £50m of funding from Brenntag Group, headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr.

It will be allocated across Brenntag’s business in the UK and Ireland including major investments in the North of England and Scotland through a five-year growth strategy.

In December, the entire workforce of Brenntag’s headquarters relocated after outgrowing its original base in Rawdon. Larger, more contemporary premises at Lawnswood Business Park in North Leeds are now home to over 80 members of staff which were officially opened this week by Brenntag Group directors.

Key suppliers and customers, Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, as well as representatives from The Department for International Trade, Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Brenntag UK & Ireland depots attended the official launch of the company’s new UK HQ.

Nationally, Brenntag employs over 750 people across 21 strategic sites, three sea-fed facilities and has a dedicated fleet of over 100 vehicles serving over 20,000 customer accounts nationwide.

Russell Argo, president of Brenntag UK and Ireland, said: “Following the relocation to our new UK and Ireland HQ, we are even better placed to reaffirm our market leading position. This is the perfect start to the year for the business. Across the UK and Ireland, numerous initiatives, innovations and targets have been consistently delivering impressive performance results for the group so to receive significant financial backing from Europe is a major boost and a real vote of confidence in our ambitions over the next few years.”

As the company continues to implement its investment into further developing its infrastructure, service capability and technical expertise to support needs of customers and suppliers, Brenntag UK & Ireland is also working towards the global Brenntag Group’s ‘2020’ vision, the company’s strategy to pursue its goal to be the preferred distributor for both speciality and industrial chemicals.

Mr Argo said: “Organic growth is always our focus but over the next few years we will give it a helping hand with sector specific acquisitions to enhance our added value offer across the markets.”

The company said the investment confirms Brenntag Group’s long-term commitment to its UK and Ireland operations.

Steven Holland, chief executive of Brenntag AG, said: “The UK represents a significant market for our products and services and it remains an integral part of our European and global growth strategy.”

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, added: “It’s encouraging to see a thriving, market leading business with its roots planted firmly in Leeds continuing to go from strength to strength. To receive such significant financial backing from Europe in the current climate is testament to the success and ongoing vision of the UK operation.”