UBH International buys site to expand production

TRANSPORTABLE storage tank business UBH International has acquired its premises near Ormskirk for £2.6m.

The employee-owned firm based in Burscough has bought the four-acre site in Orrell Lane as part of a plan to develop its production facility which employs 76 people.

The identity of the vendor was not disclosed.

UBH says it is the UK’s only manufacturer of inter-modal tank-containers that can be used interchangeably for road, rail and sea transport of bulk products, including liquids, chemicals, food and gases.

Recognising a threat from foreign competitors in the 1990s the company licenced the manufacture of standard containers to a Chinese firm and focused on specialist containers.

Sales and marketing director Tom Harding said: “In the late 90s, we were the world’s second largest producer of inter-modal tank-containers. We recognised the threat of low-cost manufacturing in China, but instead of battening down the hatches, we embraced the situation and licensed our standard tank container designs to a Chinese company.

“In a spectacularly successful 10 year alliance, we have seen our licensee become the world’s largest manufacturer of standard tank containers.”

He added: “Our decision to purchase the site was based on the need to invest in developing new, more sophisticated tanks, including higher pressure gas tanks and cryogenic vessels. At the same time, we wanted to use our healthy cash reserves to secure the long-term future of production on the site and reduce operating overhead.”

Turnover increased by 25% last year to £12.3m. UBH has been advised by accountancy firm Moore and Smalley and Napthens solicitors.