More than 100 jobs to be created at new factory in Cheshire
More than 100 jobs are to be created at a new factory in the heart of Cheshire.
The £22m factory is being built by Tiger Trailers in Winsford and bosses say the site will create 120 permanent skilled jobs for Cheshire and the surrounding area.
Joint managing directors John and Steven Cartwright say the business is outgrowing its current production facility.
The firm is investing in the new factory to help double production output to around 3,000 trailers and truck bodies a year.
The company’s 180 existing staff, alongside local MP Antoinette Sandbach attended a breaking ground ceremony at the Winsford Industrial Estate, less than a mile from the current plant.
Tiger Trailers will take on 40 new starters ahead of the factory beginning the production transfer at the end of the year, including 20 apprentices – with staffing levels set to continue growing throughout 2019.
John Cartwright says: “Today marks a new chapter in the history of Tiger. We’ve been planning this factory for almost two years, designing it from the ground up to be the most modern facility of its kind in the industry – and we’ve put our people at the forefront of those plans.
“The new factory will be a fantastic place to work, with every member of the team excited to be a part of what we’re building – we can’t wait to realise its full potential.”
The new factory will incorporate features designed to improve working conditions for staff, including a state-of-the-art ventilation and heating system.
A full-service canteen, spacious work stations, in-house training centre, as well as outdoor seating, garden, pond and woodland pathways.
Tiger has grown quickly from a turnover of £1.98m in 2014 to £31.51m in 2017, with the new factory providing the capability to reach £60m – £70m after three years.
Steven Cartwright said: “We elected to remain in Winsford as we’ve built up a fantastic team, plus we are also well positioned for attracting new talent from across Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, North Wales, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
“Over the past four years the Tiger brand has grown significantly within the transport industry. We now supply some of the world’s leading logistic, parcel and retail operators with a wide range of equipment. The increasing popularity and interest around Tiger was underlined by our inclusion in the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which will only help us to continue attracting the right people for the roles.”
Construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland will now lead an estimated 27-week build and fitting-out phase for the 168,000 sq ft site. Once complete, the new facility will enable Tiger to branch out into new sectors – including the country’s booming home delivery vehicle market, as well as temperature-controlled bodies and trailers.
The company’s initial £22m investment is privately financed – equally by shareholders and bank support.
The site includes provision for a second build phase which could be accommodated in the future, increasing production capacity to approximately 5,000 trailers and bodies per year, without disruption to existing production.
Tiger Trailers was founded in April 2014 by John and Steven Cartwright.
