On growth trail after new line investment

Mar 12 2009 by Graeme King, The Journal

TRAILER manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull is aiming for nationwide growth after investing a “seven figure” sum in a new production line to double capacity.

The German-owned company is moving into producing five or six different kinds of vehicle from just two, so has had to radically re-model how it manufactures its products.

A new integrated line has replaced two previous ones used for refrigerated and curtainsider trailers, and is designed to be much more efficient than its predecessors, making up to 6,000 units per year rather than the 3,000 made up to now.

The company, which generated sales of nearly £75m last year, is also expanding its network of regional business centres, with substantial investment going into two new premises in the North Midlands and the South West, to add to one already open in the North West.

Two further centres in Scotland and Ireland are also planned.

Staff numbers at the Stanley factory base have been cut from around 300 down to 240, now the new production line has been introduced, but Schmitz boss Tom Macallan says these losses are compensated for by recruitment in the new business centres.