Logistics firm Simarco Worldwide has unveiled plans to open a £10 million distribution centre in North Staffordshire - creating 130 new jobs.
The company has taken on a 10-year lease on Stoke 108, a 108,000 square-foot warehouse at Radial Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
The new depot will act as the firm's European logistics and distribution centre - serving the north of England, Manchester and the Midlands.
Simarco - which is headquartered in Essex - says its latest move is part of ambitious expansion plans.
Co-founder and chief executive Simon Reed said: “This development is a major undertaking on our part but entirely necessary given both our expansion plans and the amount of freight traffic which we are dealing with.
“Despite the ongoing uncertainty about what impact Brexit will have on imports and exports, we’re very confident that the improvements which we have made to services and infrastructure mean that we can expect further growth.
“We expect that our new depot will play a significant part in supporting that process and that’s one reason why we’ll be investing at least £10 million there over the current, full term of the lease.
“It is an ideal location – a real vindication of our business strategy – and will provide clients with even greater reassurance about our ability to deliver on their behalf.”
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Simarco provides worldwide logistics, air/sea freight forwarding, road haulage and distribution and warehousing and storage.
The new depot will complement the company’s eight other 海角视频 sites, including its two other Staffordshire sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Barton-under-Needwood.
The additional jobs which are being created will take the firm’s total workforce to more than 450.
Mr Reed added: “This is a tremendously exciting time for Simarco – one which has great challenges and significant opportunities.
“I am confident that the work which we have already undertaken and the potential of our new Stoke depot means that we are in the best possible shape to capitalise on them.”
Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton has welcomed Simarco’s plans to open an another site in the city.
He said: “I am delighted to see this firm choosing to locate here in Stoke-on-Trent. This will bring vital new jobs to our area.
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“I have visited the Radial Park site previously to see the new developments there and it is fantastic that these are now being filled.
“This signifies the growing confidence companies have in our city, investing in and supporting our prospering local economy.”
Sara Williams, chief executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, added: “Simarco are a great business providing services for companies to export and distribute their goods.
“They are already one of our key partners and we look forward to working with them even more closely, providing a seamless service with our exporters and growth businesses, as Simarco open their logistics centre here.”
For more information about the upcoming vacancies at Simarco, email carol.wheatley@simarco.com