A company that distributes chilled food for big manufacturers has opened the first phase of its new Leicestershire warehouse, with plans to have 120 staff on site by the end of the month.
Oakland International has invested £4 million fitting out a 225,000 sq ft unit near Coalville in north west Leicestershire.
The Logicor site has capacity to store and move 24,000 pallets and as the company grows the operation could eventually create 400 jobs.
On top of the 120 starting this month another 100 will join by the end of the year.
Chief executive and founder Dean Attwell stated: “Bardon has the capacity for up to 400 staff and considering the business’ growth direction, we should get to that level quite quickly, so we’re very keen to take on people searching for new opportunities working within the food industry.
“We’ve already recruited between 90-100 with a target of 120 new employees by the end of September.
“Although we’re new to the area, our policy has always been that wherever we operate we try and give something back to the local community, so we intend to operate an on-site food bank and create links with local schools.”
Oakland’s move to Bardon, a major warehousing hub not far from the M1 just outside Coalville, was influenced by the support and approach of North West Leicestershire District Council and the fast response from the team at Logicor.
The council’s chief executive Bev Smith and district councillor for Ellistown & Battleflat Keith Merrie MBE attended the official opening.
Councillor Tony Gillard, portfolio holder for business and regeneration at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “We’re working hard to encourage growth and new investment in North West Leicestershire, and it’s excellent news that Oakland International are officially up and running at their new Bardon warehouse.
“Covid-19 has presented a lot of challenges to local economies across the country, but we’re determined to ensure North West Leicestershire’s continues to thrive and developments like this are a big part of making that happen.
“New jobs and new employment opportunities are needed in our district and it’s a timely moment to be welcoming Oakland International to this site.”
Oakland International is a B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the Ƶ, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.
It is BRC AA accredited, a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development and is working towards becoming the first carbon-neutral business within its sector.
