Listed chemicals firm reveals plans to open £7m global distribution hub

Croda International, which produces and sells speciality chemicals, is to invest more than £7m in a new state-of-the-art warehouse in Goole.

The site will become the listed firm’s worldwide distribution hub for products made at their three northern UK manufacturing sites and for the European delivery of products made across its global network.

The 12.3 hectare site, part of the Goole 36 development, will enable Croda to operate a much larger distribution facility to service its growing global business. A new modern product sampling department will be included as part of the investment, which will provide a more efficient service to the Company’s expanding customer base. The site will also be home to a new International Employee Training Centre, providing development opportunities for the Company’s global workforce.

Croda said that to stay close to its manufacturing operations along the M62 corridor, and with easy access to the UK-wide road network, the investment would provide additional employment opportunities as Croda relocates its existing smaller warehouse from nearby Thorne. Based in a national Enterprise Zone for business development, Croda also hopes to take advantage of future investments, such as the inter-modal link project that will give access to multiple forms of transportation.

The firm is  working with the site’s developers and owners to design and build the new warehouse.

Maarten Heybroek, President of Croda Europe, said: “We are delighted at the prospect of securing a site in Goole for this investment as we are hugely proud of our Yorkshire heritage. Our founding Rawcliffe Bridge manufacturing site and our Global Headquarters, Cowick Hall, are both located less than 10 miles away. In line with our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, we will use the latest technologies to minimise our environmental impact and offer the most advanced safety features to our people in a facility of this kind.

“This announcement demonstrates the Company’s commitment to UK manufacturing and provides long term job security for the workforce who will move from our existing operation and for the new quality warehouse roles we will create.”

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council welcomes Croda’s multi-million-pound proposal for a new worldwide distribution centre at Goole 36, marking another great moment in the company’s long and proud history in the East Riding. Subject to planning approval, this development would see a number of new highly-skilled jobs created and will also benefit the local economy with the company establishing its International Training Centre at the site.

“I’m delighted that Croda, like many other international businesses, have selected Goole as their preferred choice. This is due to its prime location and the support offered by organisations such as the East Riding Council, with its Enterprise Zone status and the excellent connectivity of the site to the extensive motorway network, port facilities and rail connections.”