IN BRIEF

■ Part of European buying group Der Kreis The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) has extended its portfolio of bathroom suppliers, with the addition of Utopia. With a history of over 30 years, Midlandsbased Utopia Bathrooms supplies bathroom furniture, worktops and mirrors. It also provides complementary sanitaryware, brassware, baths, shower screens, accessories, and lighting. View the story at www.rdr.link/KAN004

■ KBB buying and business support group MHK has announced the dates for its first International AGM since 2019. The three-day event, which will take place at Berlin’s Estrel Conference Centre, will run from June 2-4, 2023. Over 4000 visitors are expected at the International AGM with retail and supply partners, as well as preinvited guests, from all of the 10 European countries in which MHK operates. Read all the details at www.rdr.link/KAN005

■ Platform for home renovation and design, Houzz has announced its community’s choices for its Best of Houzz awards 2023. Best of Houzz is awarded annually across three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography and recognises just 3% of more than 3 million professionals on the platform. View all the winners at www.rdr.link/KAN006

Factory now spans equivalent of 11 football pitches Symphony expands factory with £30m investment

Privately-owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture, Symphony Group has invested £30million into a factory expansion at its HQ in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Measuring 300,000 sqft, the extension takes the total area of the factory to over 800,000 sq ft –equivalent to the size of 11 premier league football pitches.

It has been built alongside the existing factory to secure the company’s plans for the expansion of its product ranges, services, manufacturing capacity and storage over the medium term.

The newly expanded factory will also create new employment opportunities for local people.

Internal fit out is under way and the new facility is expected to be fully operational during the first half of 2023.

The factory at Penn Hill Estate in Barnsley is the largest of four locations owned by Symphony Group with other sites in Rotherham, Wakefield and Nottingham, amounting to a total area of 1.3million sqft.

Managing director for Symphony Group Richard Bunton said: “Whilst the current economic climate is uncertain, Symphony continues to look ahead, planning for the long term and future growth opportunities.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment, confidence and belief in both our business and the loyal customers we serve. Our focus is on delivering quality ontrend products backed by outstanding service and an ethical conscience. Symphony is a stalwart for the industry.”

Move follows “rapid and continued” growth PJH new distribution centre doubles capacity

KBB distributor PJH has invested in a distribution centre, in North Yorkshire, more than doubling the capacity of the site it replaces.

According to the company, its move to the larger Distribution Centre in Thirsk was prompted by PJH’s “rapid and continued” growth and provides 10,000sqft of space.

As well as much greater capacity, the Thirsk site benefits from nearby access onto the A168 dual carriageway, which in turn leads to the A19 and A1(M) to help service PJH customers in the North East.

Speaking about the new distribution site Richard George, CEO of PJH said: “The new Thirsk Distribution Centre is another significant investment for PJH and supports further the growth in our national logistics infrastructure that provides next day deliveries for our customers.

“It increases our total number of Distribution Centres to seven and our overall warehouse footprint to 355,000sqft.

“It is great news for our business and another demonstration of our commitment to being our Customers ‘First choice’.”

Investment in the regional distribution centre, with its improved logistics, capacity and stock holding, also lowers PJH’s carbon footprint through a more regionally deployed fleet and reduced delivery mileage.

It also forms part of PJH’s continued investment programme in its distribution capabilities and growth, to meet changing customer demands and maintain its service levels.

Move impacts 24 staff

Essex-based Traymate relocates to Yorkshire

Shower tray manufacturer Traymate is relocating from its current site in Purfleet, Essex to Firm Mills in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire impacting 24 staff.

Traymate, which was acquired in March 2020 by parent company of Trojan Baths, Mantaleda Bathrooms and Thomas Crapper & Co Hartford Holdings Group, will now manufacture at the company’s HQ site.

The relocation follows the decision of Traymate’s landlord to redevelop the existing buildings.

While Hartford Holdings considered alternative sites local to Purfleet, it reported the search proved difficult.

Production will come to a close in June 2023 in Essex, with a handover to the new site.

Hartford Holdings owners, Adam and David Mosley announced the decision to staff in mid-February.

Adam Mosley explained: “Due to the planned redevelopment of the current Traymate site in Purfleet and a lack of viable alternative premises readily available, it became an unavoidable situation.

“It was important to David and I that we announced the plans personally and face-to-face with the employees. We have offered redeployment but acknowledge that this will not be possible for all. However, all employees have been offered an enhanced redundancy package to help with the transition from Purfleet to Huddersfield.”

David Mosley continued: “We understand that this is a difficult situation for all employees at Traymate, but unfortunately felt that we had no choice but to make the move.

“The current Purfleet premises are only 7,000 sqft, nearly 100 years old, and sit on shared grounds with other businesses. The building in Huddersfield is 40,000 sqft, is a modern construction and sits on a 3-acre site.

“We remain committed to our plans to invest and grow the Traymate brand and will be delighted to bring any current employees to our home in Yorkshire.”

MD of Traymate Terry Wilkins added: “There is a shared determination by everyone to make the transition work. We are arranging visits to Huddersfield for those interested in a potential move in the coming weeks.

“Knowing we have space to expand and increase our manufacturing capabilities underpins Adam’s and David’s longterm plans for Traymate and allows the business to grow significantly in the coming years.”

Traymate recently rebranded its business with new logo, website, point-of-sale and merchandise.