Manufacturer Hoshizaki plays it cool
A TELFORD manufacturing company has doubled the size of its premises, safeguarding more than 40 jobs and creating a handful of new positions.
Hoshizaki, which specialises in the production of commercial ice-making machines, has moved into a new 70,000 sq ft base on the Stafford Park industrial estate.
It was previously located a few hundred yards away, in a smaller unit on the same estate.
The move, implemented with support and advice from One Telford and Advantage West Midlands, follows the company’s recent designation as the UK distribution hub for all Hoshizaki Group products.
This has paved the way for growth with five new jobs already created and the promise of more to follow.
The Telford site is part of Hoshizaki Europe, which started trading in 1994. It makes ice machines for a wide range of catering customers, including ice flaking machines for the fish retailing sector, and “pure” ice cubes for the restaurant and hotel sector.
Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s housing and regeneration leader, said: “Hoshizaki is widely considered to be the best manufacturer of commercial ice makers in the world.
“With 80% of its products exported to countries all over the world, it is putting Telford on the global map. We are delighted it has chosen to remain in the town for the next chapter of its success story.”
Sam Kawai, Investment Manager at AWM, said: “This move is great news for Telford. We’re very pleased that the company has not only safeguarded existing jobs, but is also looking to create new ones.”
Hoshizaki is the first manufacturer in its sector to have developed a range of commercial scale HFC-free machines which satisfy the strictest EU safety legislation, helping to reduce ozone-damaging emissions in the fight against global warming.
The company said the first machine in its new range, the FM481AGE-HC ice flaking machine, had been launched to an enthusiastic response from the retail sector.
“Over the years, the market for ice has grown significantly and now includes the healthcare sector, educational establishments, laboratories and food processing plants,” a spokesman said.
Hoshizaki Europe’s parent company, Hoshizaki Electric Corporation, was established in February 1947 in Nagoya. Today it has 46 affiliated companies around the world with 10,000 employees.
