International Timber has completed the first of three phases of development which will see a new state-of-the-art timber processing and distribution facility built in Purfleet, Essex.
Formerly home to British Gypsum, the redevelopment project represents around £7m of investment by International Timber into the area, and once complete, will create approximately 40 new skilled jobs for local people, in addition to those created during the redevelopment stages. The new facility has been designed to service major timber and panel operators from across the south east and will be carried out in three phases, with the completed facility due to be fully-operational by early 2014.
On the completion of phase one, Tony Miles, managing director, says: “Offering the full range of timber and panel products, Purfleet is ideally located to provide an easily accessible hub for builders’ merchants, joiners and product specifiers to service their clients across the region.
“We have invested significantly in the redevelopment of this site and are confident this new state-of-the-art facility will put the south east back on the map as a hub for timber and panel manufacturing and distribution. Phase one has been a great success and with phase two now well under way we are on track to meet our development schedule and be fully-operational by Spring 2014.”
Strategically located less than a mile of the M25 motorway and the Dartford Crossing, the 11.5-acre Purfleet site provides easy access via main routes to the wider network of motorways servicing the south east region and beyond.
Phase one has seen the warehousing and storage system which includes state-of-the-art ‘guide aisle’ technology alongside mechanical handling plant equipment, which has been manufactured specially for International Timber to aid fast and efficient storage and order-picking. The first phase of development also included the refurbishment of the site’s transport office, Purfleet sales office and staff facilities. Transport infrastructure and signage has also been completed.
The distribution centre, which is now open to the trade, offers the full range of timber and panel products and a comprehensive stock-holding of specialist panel products, offering International Timber customers the opportunity to purchase all their panel product requirements, no matter how specialist, under one roof.
