Firm moves into new production facility to meet challenge of doubling turnover

A Barnsley company has opened a brand-new manufacturing facility after its chief executive challenged it to double turnover over the next five years.

Naylor Concrete Products, which makes pre-stressed concrete lintels for the industrial and commercial markets, had operated from a three-acre leasehold site at Ossett, near Wakefield, for the last 35 years, but a lack of space was constraining growth.

As a result, earlier this year the company acquired a nine-acre freehold site at Barugh Green, some 10 miles from Ossett and just two miles from the head office of parent group Naylor Industries plc at Cawthorne.

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Helen MacIntosh, managing director of Naylor Concrete Products, said: “We have some excellent new product plans which Ossett’s limited space prevented us from progressing.

“The new site gives us considerably more manufacturing and storage space; this will allow Naylor Concrete Products to fulfil its growth potential.”

Naylor Industries chief executive Edward Naylor – the fourth generation of his family to helm the business since he took over 22 years ago – wants the concrete products division to increase turnover twofold, from £5m to £10m, over the next five years. Ms MacIntosh, who has been with the company for 29 years, said: “It’s quite a challenge, but we now have the site and the factory to be able to make it happen.

“We’re looking at moving into retaining walls: large panels and L-shaped blocks. We’ve not quite finished our product portfolio; in fact, we’re currently recruiting for a business development manager to look at what new products are going to be needed by our customers.”

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Current indications bode well for the company’s chances of meeting Mr Naylor’s challenge. The company, which employs 50 people, has a strong order book and enquiries are frequent, especially from the Midlands and South. Although its customer base in primarily industrial and commercial, it is nevertheless also benefiting from the upturn in the housing sector.

Ms MacIntosh said: “We supply for blocks of flats, and wherever you get those being built you also often get shops, warehousing, leisure centres and doctor’s surgeries developed close by, so we can pick up that business too.”

The Barugh Green opening ceremony, which was attended by local MP Dan Jarvis, fulfilled a dual purpose, as the company is also celebrating 50 years in business.

Naylor has manufactured lintels since 1965.