Major gains for weights firm as £250k invested in city HQ

A BELFAST-based strength and conditioning product manufacturer has invested £250,000 in an expansion project.

BLK Box in Channel Commercial Park at the Titanic Quarter is also seeking to add another eight members of staff to its team with roles in installation, e-commerce, warehouse manufacturing and business development.

The firm, which was launched in 2012, designs and manufactures steel strengthening products including free weights and frames for sports teams, gyms and other establishments around the world.

It counts Google, LinkedIn, Pure Gym, Montepellier Rugby, Arsenal FC and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver as clients.

Closer to home, it has supplied products to Crusaders Football Club, Ulster Rugby, Wallace High School and Novosco.

And the managing director of BLK Box, Gregory Bradley, said he would be expanding “aggressively” following on from a list of new clients including the Swiss Rowing Team and an Abu Dhabi gym.

“We are embarking on an ambitious growth plan at the moment by looking at adding to our activity in markets in the UK and Ireland, as well as increasing our international footprint,” he said.

“We had outgrown our space in our original headquarters and we knew that we needed to do things differently to continue to sustainably tap into this sector.

“By expanding in Channel Commercial Park we get to continue to base ourselves in a fantastic location with easy access to the airports, while also increasing the amount of stock we can hold and manufacture. Within

James Eyre (left) from Titanic Quarter with Gregory Bradley of BLK Box

a year we have tripled our employees, going from 12 to over 30 very quickly.

“We are keen to keep progressing

and making the most of new opportunities.” BLK Box’s most recent investment has added a 17,000 sq ft unit to its original 20,000 sq ft headquarters. The additional space will house new machinery dedicated to the manufacturing and fabrication of products.”

James Eyre, commercial director at Titanic Quarter, said: “BLK Box has been a brilliant success story for Channel Commercial Park and we are pleased to have been able to facilitate the next stage in its growth.

“Our high quality commercial units have provided the additional space they need in a location that they know works well.”

Channel Commercial Park in Titanic Quarter attracts a diverse range of businesses keen to base and expand their operations in Northern Ireland.”