Lincoln firm revs up with 10 new jobs
Vehicles body specialist Simon Knaggs is gearing-up to invest £1m in an expansion move which could create 10 new jobs.
Knaggs, who established the £3.5m turnover Lincoln Commercial Bodies business four years ago, is splashing out on his own tailor-made premises, after outgrowing no less than eight individual industrial units in Crofton Close.
Lincoln-based commercial agent Banks Long & Co said the news follows a complex deal, which has seen the sale of both the freehold and leasehold interests in a neighbouring parcel of land on the city’s Allenby Road Industrial Estate.
Kanggs set up the business after being made redundant when the former McComb Coachworks business in Tattershall closed its doors. He had worked there for 28 years.
“I was forced into a situation where I had to look for alternative employment, so I decided to take a chance. It turned out to be the ideal opportunity for me to strike out on my own,” he said.
“Setting-up in Lincoln was ideal for several reasons – it was near to home, key dealerships in the area and also close to the A46.
“I started out in Unit 6 with three former colleagues. Once we got going, we started making new contacts and building relationships with former customers. People heard about us and starting coming back to me. Soon I took on five more workers.”
Today, Knaggs employs 28 people, but when his new premises are up and running he is hoping to create up to 10 more jobs.
Building firm T Balfe & Sons has started work on site and Knaggs’s new premises should be ready to move into before the end of the year.
“The new building will include a 20,000 sq ft workshop, with 13 bays and office accommodation. We will also have a secure compound for parking vehicles,” said Knaggs.
