DBL on the double for growth

FAMILY-owned haulage and logistics company DBL Logistics has announced plans to double in size with the development of a new purpose built distribution centre.

DBL Logistics presently operates from a 25,000 sq ft site at Sheffield Business Park and is planning the development of a 50,000 sq ft warehousing centre at a nearby site after securing a £1.8m finance package from HSBC.

Land has been purchased for the new distribution centre and work is scheduled to be completed in January.

Once completed, DBL will operate dual sites as it looks to accelerate turnover of £3m a year.

The company has a license to operate 15 trucks and trailers, but is to apply for a license to operate up to 25 trucks and trailers at the new site.

Managing Director David Clarkson forecasts the move will create at least 10 new jobs at the company, which already has 21 employees.

In addition to the finance package, DBL has switched its entire banking facilities to HSBC. The deal was managed by Philip Carr, commercial manager at HSBC’s Mid-Lincolnshire and the Fens Commercial Centre.

DBL was founded as Yorkshire Distribution Services in 1983 by Bert Clarkson, delivering white goods to private households in the North East.

His son David Clarkson became involved in the business, taking over as managing director in 1998. The company now warehouses and distributes a comprehensive range of goods worldwide.

David Clarkson said: “We are being constrained at the moment by the size of our current warehouse and this is something we believe the new site will help alleviate.”

Roy Harris, HSBC’s Midlands regional commercial director, said: “This is a successful, long-standing family run business that is looking to expand and HSBC is pleased to support it. We welcome DBL as a new customer and look forward to working with the company as it develops its impressive new distribution centre.”