Since being created on the site of a former open-cast mine, Denby Hall Business Park has attracted a number of top companies, employing hundreds of people. Now, a new chapter could be about to be written for this important employment site in Derbyshire. Business Live’s Robin Johnson reports.
Back in the 1980s the site on which Denby Hall Business Park now stands was literally just a big hole in the ground.
A former open-cast coal mine, the site has since been completely restored, with part of it home to the highly successful business park, which over the past decade has brought new jobs and prosperity to this part of Derbyshire.
The land here has been utilised for industry for around 180 years - ever since the Denby Drury Lowe Colliery was first sunk in 1839. And now, another new chapter could be about to be written in its history.
Work to create Denby Hall Business Park, which is near Ripley, began around 12 years ago. Since then, 10 industrial premises have been built totalling 56,000 square metres.
It is currently home to firms including SC Johnson, HL Plastics, Tarpey Harris and Lockwood Haulage, employing around 1,500 people.
But they could soon be joined by more firms if major plans to extend the business park are given the go-ahead.
Garner Holdings, which owns the Denby Hall Business Park site, has lodged an application with Amber Valley Borough Council to develop the remaining neighbouring former coal mining land.
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It would see the 175-acre plot, to the west of the business park, transformed with new industrial/warehouse units and a large country park.
The country park element would be the size of 45 football pitches, while the business park extension would comprise large industrial units, which would eventually bring an estimated 940 new jobs to the area.
The man behind Garner Holdings is Roger Hartshorn, a local entrepreneur with a successful track record of building successful businesses in Amber Valley.
He was involved in HL Plastics for 42 years, starting with the business as an apprentice. He was instrumental in helping build the business into a multi-million pound concern.
He was also one of the founders of Eurocell Plc, a national manufacturer and supplier of uPVC windows, doors, rooflines and other products, based at Alfreton. Today, these two companies alone support around 2000 jobs combined.
However, in October, 2018, Mr Hartshorn stepped down from HL Plastics to concentrate on his own new venture - Garnalex (Garner Aluminium Extrusions).
The new firm, which is currently temporarily based at Firs Works, in Nether Heage, manufactures and supplies aluminium extrusions. Its customers include Mr Hartshorn’s former companies Eurocell and HL Plastics.
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However, the Firs Works site is not big enough for the firm to realise its long-term ambitions - and this is where plans for the Denby Hall Business Park extension come in.
That’s because if given the go-ahead, Garnalex would be one of the companies to take space in the new industrial units - vacating its Firs Works site, which has planning permission in place for housing.
Other businesses that would join Garnalex in the new buildings would be HL Plastics, which would take one of the units for warehousing.
The properties would also house a new production facility for another Garner Holdings company, LB Plastics, and a new headquarters for Manthorpe Engineering, which is currently based in Ripley.
Mr Hartshorn, who has so far invested £9 million in Garnalex, said: “Garnalex is a really exciting new business.
“Unfortunately, the buildings at Nether Heage are not large enough and the surrounding road network is not suitable for HGVs, which prohibits expansion.
“Denby is the ideal location for the new business as it can trade primarily from one site, creating a more efficient operation and reducing carbon emissions significantly.”
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A decision on the plans to extend Denby Hall Business Park is expected in the next month or so. If given the go-ahead, it would allow Mr Hartshorn to progress his plans for the expansion of Garnalex, employing more people and adding new equipment to increase production.
Mr Hartshorn has already invested heavily in new machinery for Garnalex. Last year, the business took delivery of a state-of-the-art aluminium press, which arrived at the Firs Works site from Germany.
Mr Hartshorn said: “In 2018 the 海角视频 consumed 190,000 tons of aluminium extrusions, but only 110,000 tons of this was produced in the 海角视频.
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“The huge benefit we will have is speed of response to supply customers from a 海角视频 source from the highest quality, latest technology SMS low energy plant, within an industry and a customer base that we have supplied for over 30 years.
“We plan to install a second machine and specialised paint finishing equipment when we have sufficient space and facilities to further develop the new business.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to continue to remain in Derbyshire. The Amber Valley region in particular is already a successful location for innovation and development in manufacturing and we’ve been lucky enough to attract some of the best people in the area to join the team.”