Kentish Express Ashford & District
Jobs boost as German coin merchant opens office
A German-owned coin distributor for the Royal Mint has set up offices in Ashford, creating five jobs.
British Numismatic Treasury has launched at International House, near Ashford International Station, in a move brokered by Locate in Kent, an agency which tries to attract business to the county.
The company is the UK subsidiary of MDM, the fifth generation coin merchant based in Brunswick, between Hannover and Berlin.
Its arrival marks the 1,000th investment project assisted by Locate in Kent since it was launched in 1997, and brings the jobs it has helped create or protect to more than 63,000.
As well as being an official distributor for the Royal Mint, the merchant has also works for the national mints of Australia, Canada, Germany, Finland, France and the USA.
It makes collectable and commemorative coins, although each one issued is legal tender.
Its UK operation is being led by marketing director Sylvia Martin, who is also in charge of the company’s French operation in Paris and commutes between the two offices via Eurostar.
She said: “We needed offices with great connectivity to Paris. Having found Locate in Kent via its website, we explained what we were looking for.
“We rejected London as it was too expensive, then considered Ebbsfleet and Ashford, both on the high speed route. With a doorto-door commute of only an hour and 45 minutes, Ashford offered us an excellent home in the UK.”
Steve Barkess, the company’s UK operations manager, added: “With offices immediately available opposite the station at International House, and with Locate in Kent putting us in contact with recruitment specialists and other advisers, the business decision to move to Ashford was simple and straightforward.”
British Numismatic Treasury has recruited its five strong sales and marketing team from Kent and has plans to double this by 2017, and employ 20 within five years.
The announcement coincides with Locate in Kent signing a new three-year contract with Kent County Council and Medway Council which will see it play a greater role in the county’s economy development.
Paul Wookey, chief executive of Locate in Kent, said: “The arrival of British Numismatic Treasury once again shows that Kent has a great deal to offer international businesses, thanks to its connectivity to London and mainland Europe, cost effective accommodation and skilled workforce.”