Drum maker Fibrestar on a roll to new home
A NORTH West manufacturer is spreading its wings to a new location as it embarks on a growth drive to new markets and boosts its product range.
Stockport-based sustainable packaging specialist, Fibrestar Drums, will nearly double its production capacity with the move from Disley to
a 110,000 sq ft industrial unit in Hazel Grove in the new year.
Founded in 1949 Fibrestar has 60 staff and has annual sales of around £6m a year. It is the UK’s largest manufacturer of fibre drums for the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries.
Major customers including AstraZeneca, Novartis and Dow Europe and
it is targeting growth by launching products for the food and drink sector.
It has developed products for the transportation and storage of liquids and by promoting the environmental benefits of its products, which have a significantly lower carbon footprint than plastic and steel alternatives.
Through research commissioned with the University of Manchester, the business has established that switching to fibre-based packaging can reduce a business’ CO2 emissions by as much as 30%
The company has signed a 10-year lease with landlord Towngate for the unit at the Newby Road Industrial Estate. The move will provide it with an additional 32,000 sq ft of production space.
Managing director Colin Pardoe, said: “Over the past decade we’ve led an aggressive product development programme to meet the changing needs of our key markets.
“As the economic and environmental pressures on our customers continue to grow, we see significant potential to develop markets through the sustainable and lower-cost qualities of fibre drums.
“The move to new premises is a significant milestone for the business as we gear up for this new phase of growth, delivering some major benefits including cost savings, a more efficient layout and vastly improved access.
“We’re looking forward to moving over with our 60 staff, many of whom have enjoyed long term careers with the business.”
Fibrestar Drums’ move has been supported financially through its existing facilities with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking and Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance.
