A purpose-built factory where high-end sportswear for top-flight athletes will be produced is taking shape in South Yorkshire.
SBD Apparel, a manufacturer of premium performance clothing, is taking the 100,000 sq ft building at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, creating more than 200 jobs.
The company is investing more than £9 million in land acquisition, development and final fit out costs, allowing it to bring its five existing buildings together on one single site, while quadrupling floor space.
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Its plans also include purchase of additional space at the new premises to pave the way for the business to expand in a second phase, allowing extension to the rear of the building to add a further 70,000 sq ft unit, which would double its capacity.
Benjamin Banks, managing director of SBD Apparel, said: “The new premises are needed so we can expand our production output and take advantage of the market demand which will see our company grow significantly in the future.
“With the new premises, we will be able to extend our product range and to launch our brand in new countries, where we plan to increase our local distributors from 42 to 70 countries. It will also give us the production capacity to progress with developing creative new prototypes and bring exciting new products to market.
“Another great benefit of these premises is that we will be able to expand to meet our future growth aspirations, so we won’t have to move again.”
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The Advanced Manufacturing Park is part of the 740-acre Waverley scheme, which is Harworth Group’s flagship development on the former Orgreave coal mining site.
It is home to some of the world’s biggest manufacturers including Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren Automotive. Technology developed there is already being used in leading edge projects in sport, defence and aerospace.
Lindum York is building the unit, with construction work due to be finished this summer.
Site manager Ben Marris said the project is progressing very well.
“This is the first time Lindum has worked with Harworth Group and we hope the strong foundations we are laying will lead to more opportunities for collaboration in future,” he said.
The finished building will include 52,500 sq ft of production floor space and 30,000 sq ft of offices over three floors, plus warehousing, car parking and land for expansion.
SBD was awarded a £1.5 million grant from Sheffield City Region to enable the expansion.
James Muir, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership chair, said: “The new premises will give a massive boost not only to the company but also to the local economy. “Without the BIF funding the project would have been unable to proceed, so it is fantastic news for SBD Apparel and for job creation in this region.”