Whitham Mills opens Manchester headquarters
Recycling equipment manufacturer Whitham Mills has completed its move to a new 33,000 sq ft headquarters at the Stakehill Industrial Estate, on the outskirts of Manchester.
The company, which previously had headquarters in Todmorden, on the Lancashire/ Yorkshire border, supplies and services baling machinery and bespoke-engineered technology to the international recycling industry.
Ben Smart, managing director of Whitham Mills
Whitham Mills said the move is part of a “wider growth strategy” which has also seen the recruitment of six new engineers. The company has also reported a 35% year-on-year increase in revenue.
Its client base includes retailers Tesco and JD Sports, national waste management companies such as Veolia and Viridor and a number of local authority operated recycling centres.
Facility
According to Whitham Mills, the facility comprises 25,000 sq ft of factory floor space, which is “triple the capacity” of the old location. Within this is a separate area for operator training, storage for the complete catalogue of consumables and spare parts, and a showroom displaying a range of balers, tippers and conveyors.
The warehouse also features two inbuilt heavy-duty gantry cranes, capable of manoeuvring Whitham Mills’ products, which can weigh up to 50 tonnes. There is also 8,000 sq ft of office and canteen space for the firm’s sales and support staff.
Ben Smart, managing director of Whitham Mills, said: “The demand for both our products, and the comprehensive after sales support we provide, has resulted in a 35 per cent increase in year-on-year revenue. Relocating to the larger base was necessary to support this continued growth, and it has been part of our strategy to relocate to Manchester for some time now.
“The regional and national motorway network are now on our doorstep, which is important for our rapid-response service team, who provide 24 hour breakdown cover and consumables supply to clients.”
Milestone
Mr Smart added: “We’re also doing more business in the UAE, New Zealand and mainland Europe, so the fact we’re now half an hour’s drive from Manchester airport makes things easier; not only for our sales and support staff flying out, but also for clients visiting us.
Whitham Mills has recently completed installation of a baler along with a conveyor system at Veolia’s Armoury Road site in Birmingham
“Additionally, the larger floorplate has allowed us the space to create a showroom for our products. The greater storage space means we can stock more consumables and spare parts, and have them ready at a moment’s notice.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the company and the move is an important milestone for us.”
Whitham Mills also announced it has recently secured the repeat business of Greater Manchester-based recycling and waste disposal company, Wheeldon Brothers. The family-owned firm has four material recycling facilities in the region, and previously bought a baler from Whitham Mills in 2007.
According to Whitham Mills, for the latest commission it will provide a GB1111 baler, capable of processing 20 tonnes per hour of cardboard and plastics.
