Plan to deliver jobs
HUGE LOGISTICS CENTRE OPENS
THE opening of a new logistics centre could ‘likely’ lead to a job boost.
That’s according to logistics giant Dachser, which has opened a new £14.4m logistics centre in Rochdale after it outgrew its previous base in Chichester Street, central Rochdale.
The 5,175sq m purpose-built facility sits in the Kingsway Business Park next to the M62.
It features 49 dock-loading doors and an additional four level access doors, with an internal area of nearly 7,000sq metres, including office space and canteen facilities.
Branch manager Gary Atkinson said the firm expects to recruit more people and it ‘always looks to recruit locally.’
“We have an established and award-winning apprentice programme with a number of apprentices on the Rochdale team,” he said.
The company employs approximately 31,000 globally, which includes more than 100 currently employed in Rochdale.
Mr Atkinson said the business park is the ‘perfect location.’
Dachser said being situated next to the motorway network means companies at the park have access to more than 1.6m people of working age living within a 30-minute commute. Mr Atkinson said: “On a purely commercial business case we could have moved out of the area but we’re a family business and our team is very important to us.
“We wanted to get closer to the motorway network but it was also vital for us to retain the skills and team that we have. The north and the north west are very important to us.” He added: “We are part of the Northern Powerhouse and the £14.4m investment in the new facility reaffirms our commitment to Rochdale.
“We’ve worked very closely with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency and they have been really supportive throughout our journey.”
The logistics firm said Brexit did not derail or affect its plans to open the new facility.
Mark Rollinson, managing director of Dachser UK, added: “Our significant investment is evidence of Dachser’s commitment to the UK market and our optimistic view on the future of both import and export trade with the rest of Europe.”