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MANUFACTURER RELOCATES JOBS FROM CHINA TO DOVER

Locate in KentUp to 50 new jobs are to be created after a UK-based company decided to bring part of its manufacturing back from China, and establish a new factory in Dover.

Multipanel UK, a producer and distributor of Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) products based in Exeter, was attracted to Dover thanks to the work of Locate in Kent, the county’s inward investment company, and industrial property expertise of Core Commercial.

The manufacturer has acquired a 36,000 sq ft site in Millyard Way, Eythorne, near Dover, and will begin manufacturing by the end of the year on the site of the former Tilmanstone colliery. The company, founded by current Managing Director Andrew Cock in 2005, will create 50 jobs in Kent and retain its existing headquarters in Exeter, where it currently employs 14 people.

Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “This is yet another company which has recognised what a great deal Dover offers thanks to its connectivity to mainland Europe and the cost-effective commercial property on offer.

“Once synonymous with coal production in Kent, the former Tilmanstone colliery has been transformed into a home for international manufacturing and distribution businesses. Everybody involved in bringing the Multipanel UK jobs to Dover should be congratulated.”

Multipanel UK is a global leader in the production, marketing and distribution of ACP products, which are widely used in the signage and commercial construction industries. Multipanel’s products are currently sold in more than 40 countries around the world, including the US where it maintains a warehouse in Chicago.

As well as serving Europe and Australia, Multipanel UK is also targeting the emerging economies in Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.

Andrew Cock said: “Bringing manufacturing back to the UK gives us greater control over our products and also means that we will be able to produce specials, which are one-off products, much more quickly, resulting in a better service to our customers.

“The UK is reknowned for its quality manufacturing and we are pleased to be opening this facility in Dover, which obviously has excellent transport facilities for our products.”

Paul Wookey, Chief Executive of Locate in Kent, added: “We have seen a recent and significant upturn in interest from companies looking to invest and relocate to East Kent, which can only be good news in terms of jobs and is likely to continue now that Expansion East Kent loan funding is available.”

The property deal was completed by Kent-based industrial and warehouse agents Core Commercial, and HSBC Commercial Bank provided a comprehensive funding package to support the acquisition of the commercial premises.

 

 

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