The technologically advanced 600 sqm bottling and filling line will be incorporated within the existing Thornton & Ross warehouse, in order to preserve the highest standards of hygiene.
The move is part of ambitious growth plans by Thornton & Ross – Huddersfield’s largest employer – and represents the most significant investments Thornton & Ross parent company, STADA, has made in the UK. Forty permanent jobs will be created at the site.
The process design and engineering work will be implemented by Haden Freeman, a process engineering consultancy headquartered in Denton.
Following a recommendation, Haden Freeman conducted an initial site visit and carried out checks for potential hazards before drawing up a detailed strategy for the new facility. A project manager was appointed along with site and office teams to ensure all work complied with Haden Freeman’s ISO:9001 2015 certified quality standards.
The building and civil engineering works will be completed by Hawkins Construction (Northern) Ltd, which is a well-established construction company specialising in this type of installation within a hygienic environment.
Hawkins Construction (Northern) Limited aims to deliver the new facility with minimal impact and without significant downtime on existing filling lines. Hawkins Construction and Haden Freeman already have an excellent working relationship, having recently worked together on number of challenging but successful projects within the manufacturing sector.
The scheme is expected to take 22 weeks to complete, with a completion date of January 1st 2020. Work will involve demolition and alterations to structures around existing production lines, structural steelwork and gantries, internal hygiene standard fire walls, walk on ceiling, Electrical & Mechanical design and installation, hygiene doors, stainless steel kerbs and specialist anti-dissipative hygienic flooring.
Mark Kirkup, Thornton & Ross Vice-President of UK Operations, said the new facility was essential in enabling the company to expand: “This facility represents the largest single investment that our parent company, the STADA Group, has made at our UK site and underlines the success of Thornton & Ross as a company.
“It will form an integral part of our plans to expand, which include the creation of 40 new permanent positions across the company.
“We selected our partners on this project for their technical capabilities and experience of working in similar environments. Despite the short timeframe for completion, we are extremely pleased with how the project is progressing and look forward to seeing the new bottling line in action.”
Shaun Sykes, Managing Director at Hawkins Construction, added: “Hawkins Construction are extremely proud to be involved with this project and look forward to working closely with Thornton & Ross and building our relationship with the project team involved. Our teams will ensure all work complies with our ISO:9001 2015 certified quality standards.”
