Blackheath expands with HSBC’s backing
FAMILY-owned business Blackheath Products has acquired new premises to cater for future expansion, in a deal facilitated by HSBC Commercial Bank.
The kitchen, bathroom and flooring supplier to the trade has purchased a 40,000 sq ft warehouse next to its current 60,000 sq ft base on Fairfield Park near Halesowen.
The acquisition will enable the company to hold greater levels of stock and broaden the range of products it can supply. It will also be used as a training centre for the company, which employs around 110 people and is a fifth generation family business.
Blackheath Products had been leasing three sites around the Halesowen area and the purchase will allow the company to consolidate its business at one location, resulting in greater operational efficiencies.
The firm was founded in the 1930s as a timber component supplier for the furniture industry. During the 1950s the company became a distributor of Formica decorative laminate.
Today it has the largest range of decorative laminate, solid wood and solid surfacing work surfaces held at one location in the UK, as well as supplying kitchen and bathroom products, sheet materials and flooring to house builders, kitchen manufacturers, building merchants, retailers, shop fitters and specialist fabricators.
Last year it generated sales of more than £21m.
Managing director Ian Foster said: “The new premises are next to our existing base and bring a number of advantages – primarily it expands our storage space so we can widen our product range and offer a greater number of services to customers.
“It also means we are more efficient as a business because we have consolidated from three leased sites, whilst it also gives us the opportunity for future expansion if we require it.”
Adrian Gill, HSBC Birmingham area commercial director, said: “The company is always striving to innovate and offer a better service to its customers and these new premises mark the next positive stage in the company’s development.
“It is this tenacity and vision that has enabled the company to weather the tough economic conditions of the past few years and we look forward to developing our relationship with the business further going forward.”
