Pennine Stone has its eye on huge growth opportunities

THRIVING Yorkshire architectural stone manufacturer Pennine Stone is bolstering its growth to target an increase in its market share.

The manufacturer, which supplies architectural cast stone to some of the UK’s biggest housebuilders, including York-based Persimmon, is part of the Haddonstone Group, the largest manufacturer of cast stone ornaments and architectural dressings in the UK.

Launched in 2002 to service the housebuilding market, Doncaster-based Pennine has now opened a second office to secure more business as it continues to eye opportunities for growth.

Last month, the growing firm opened its second office in Preston, Lancashire to keep up with demand.
 
Managing director, Richard Walsh, said: “We are now trying to service the market in the North West and expand our horizons. We are already starting to do business with companies there.

“We will continue to invest in our site here, too, and are looking at new products all of the time in order to see what we can do to improve our market share. For example, can we look at different products to manufacture? At the moment we supply 20% of the UK cast stone market and we are attracting business in various different markets and different geographical areas in the UK. We will set targets on the type of products we want to be making which will result in us getting bigger.

“We are cash positive and are on target for the next financial year to see a turnover of £6m. We are an expanding company and we have to make sure we don’t stand still and make sure we progress.”

Pennine has increased its staff by more than 50% over the last three years and now employs 102 people.

“Our goal is to be efficient and become more cost effective, but it can’t always be about employing new people, it is about investing in machinery and we look at initiatives like that,” Mr Walsh said.

The firm has recently purchased a £120,000 truck, which follows a £150,000 investment in vehicles made last year.

 

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