New 40,000 sq ft Blackpool head office for Multi-ply

Specialist carbon fibre components maker, Multi-ply, will be moving into a new 40,000 sq ft commercial building at Blackpool’s Enterprise Zone.

Eric Wright Construction has completed work on NeXus, which has been designed by North West-based architectural, planning and building surveying practice, Cassidy + Ashton.

The £8m development was delivered on time and to budget on behalf of Blackpool Council with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal funding.

Multi-ply will relocate 70 staff from three existing sites to the purpose-built commercial building which they will occupy on a 25-year lease.

The new premises will enable Multi-ply to drive forward its ambitious expansion plans, expecting to initially create 16 new jobs with up to 100 further staff appointments over the next five years.

Founded over 30 years ago in Inskip by Peter and Sue Bourne, Multi-ply is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon fibre components.

The business was recently acquired by MedCap AB, a Swedish investment firm which specialises in medical equipment.

Darren Dowdall, managing director at Multi-ply said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive the keys to our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

“This strategic investment has been core to our long-term growth strategy that enables us to rapidly scale our manufacturing capabilities so we can simultaneously expand our rapidly growing customer base.

“A creative and dynamic collaboration with Eric Wright Construction and Blackpool Council over the last 18 months has resulted in an incredible landmark, NeXus with its striking magnitude boasting an extraordinary addition to the Blackpool Enterprise Zone.”

He added: “For thirty years we have operated successfully across three sites and now, with the building complete, we are thrilled to welcome our exceptionally talented, loyal and dedicated employees to their new facility and to continue our exciting journey.

“As we grow, we are committed to improving lives and minimising our environmental footprint, supporting Blackpool in its quest to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Job Creation said: “This new building is the latest addition to Blackpool’s Enterprise Zone, a strategically important site for the town and we are delighted to welcome Multi-ply to their new headquarters.”

Stephen Knowles, special projects manager for Eric Wright Construction added: “Despite the challenging working environment over the last twelve months, the team has dug deep to complete this superb new facility as planned, something of which we are extremely proud.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Blackpool, having delivered in excess of £130m of construction projects in the town in the last decade and we are absolutely delighted to add this superb new facility to our list of major commercial, community and infrastructure projects.”

Debbie Francis OBE, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership which contributed £800,000 of Growth Deal funding said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the Multi-ply facility is now complete.

“The development will contribute to the continuing transformation of Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast economy, retaining and creating highly skills jobs within our manufacturing sector.

“I wish the company every success as it embarks on the next phase of its journey and is able to achieve its growth ambitions.”