Disposables UK on the move as growth plans take off

DISPOSABLES UK Group said it is a step nearer to achieving its ambitious five year growth plan as it looks towards its move to a larger site next month.

The family-run business, which is one of the largest employers in Meltham near Huddersfield, has invested £1.7m in new machinery and has plans to almost double its current £16m turnover to £30m by 2018.

The company manufactures and distributes paper disposables and associated cleaning and hygiene products for the ‘away from home market’.

Currently spread across four sites totalling 107,000 sq ft which include manufacturing, distribution and administration, the process of consolidating its operations onto one state of the art 150,000 sq ft facility is well underway.

The firm said the bigger site will bring many business advantages including a faster turnaround time on producing goods.

The move, expected to cost around £700,000, is being undertaken in phases. Phase one, the relocation of the distribution centre from its existing site, was completed in March. This was followed by the staged move of production machinery into its new home, with the relocation of ‘goods in’ and raw materials following in May.

This way, Disposables said it has ensured customers are successfully serviced throughout the move period and that delivery deadlines are met.

Managing director David Burkill said: “The move will have a really positive effect on our business in terms of our effectiveness, and will also enable us to improve on the lean manufacturing we’ve been working on over the past few years. It will also allow us to increase productivity, make savings, be more competitive and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The new site, originally built in the early 1970s for David Brown tractors, and most recently used to manufacture yarn by Fred Lawton & Sons, has undergone a total refurbishment with an emphasis on the company’s ethos of sustainability and the environment.