Vehicle cleaning specialist to build factory in Midland town
A MANUFACTURER of vehicle cleaning products has finalised plans for its new production site after securing new funding from Lloyds Bank.
Autosmart International, which produces specialist washes, wheel cleaners and polishes, has kitted out its 60,000 sq ft facility in Burntwood with new state-of-theart automatic machinery.
Improvements to the site and an investment in new equipment is expected to support a threefold increase in sales while reducing operating costs and minimising the plant’s impact on the environment.
It forms part of wider plans to develop the five-acre site purchased by the business in 2020.
This includes the construction of a new warehouse, which will increase capacity by 50 per cent, and the installation of overhead conveyor belts to efficiently transport goods between the production facility and the warehouse.
Autosmart International operates a network of franchises in eight different countries, including France, Germany and Australia.
Overseas sales currently make up 30 per cent of its revenue and this is rapidly increasing, delivering three quarters of the firm’s growth over the past five years.
It hopes the new site will support its ambitions to tap into more opportunities abroad.
It currently employs 150 people in Staffordshire and intends to create more jobs as it continues to grow.
Managing director Sophie Atkinson said: “Over the last three years, we’ve seen our franchise partners doing really well, growing their businesses leading to further demand. By investing in the site, we are ensuring we are prepared for further growth both in the UK and in other markets where we’re continuing to grow our presence. We’ve banked with Lloyds Bank for nearly two decades and their support with this investment has been outstanding.”
Chris Pennick, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, added: “Autosmart is highly regarded in the industry and is a fantastic example of a local firm that is flying the flag for the Staffordshire business community domestically and overseas. By investing in its production site, Autosmart is standing itself in good stead to continue to meet already-growing demand and expand their footprint even further.”