‘Demand has ‘sky-rocketed’
The facility is designed to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible...
HAULAGE firm Browns Distribution is building a brand new HQ – just 300m away from its current base. The family-run business has grown considerably over the past few years as freight volume and demand for palletised collections and deliveries ‘sky-rocketed’.
Now the 106-strong business has unveiled multi-million pound plans to construct a huge new distribution centre off Chemical Lane in Tunstall.
It is being built on a one-acre plot of land right next to its existing site.
Managing director David Brown Jr said: “We are experiencing ongoing growth within the business. We’ve had a very successful few years and now we need to improve our infrastructure.
“Browns Distribution has been based at this site since the sixties, and we like it here, but we wanted to push the boat out with our new facility which means relocating.
“However, we were very lucky that a piece of land right next door became available at the right time, so we won’t have to move very far.
“There’s no better solution for us than moving a few metres down the road and we’re really pleased that we are able to stay in Stoke-on-trent.” Work to construct Browns’ new base is underway and is expected to be completed by the end of August 2022.
The £8 million facility will boast a 75,000 sq ft warehouse, offices spanning two stories and a new 100-space car park.
Up to 15 new jobs will be created with the move.
Browns’ current Ravensdale facility, on Ladywell Road, will be sold off once the company has fully relocated.
David said: “We have designed every last detail of this facility to make sure we are operating as efficiently as possible.
“It will be considerably larger than our current site so we will need to grow into the building – and that’s exactly what we intend to do.
“This project has been two years in the planning so it’s really exciting to see that progress is finally being made.”
David – whose grandfather Albert Brown started the company back in 1955 – added: “We are on a mission at the moment because we’re also planning a huge investment in our IT systems and training facilities.
“We are taking things one step at a time and are confident that the business will continue to evolve. Eventually we want to become a £20 million turnover business.”