Yorkshire firm will protect le Tour’s crowds

CYCLING fans will rely on a Yorkshire company to keep them safe when the Tour de France arrives in the county next month.
James McLean, Managing Director of ZND; Matthew Chenery, Barclays Relationship Director, and Stephen Chichester, Financial Controller  of ZND.James McLean, Managing Director of ZND; Matthew Chenery, Barclays Relationship Director, and Stephen Chichester, Financial Controller  of ZND.
James McLean, Managing Director of ZND; Matthew Chenery, Barclays Relationship Director, and Stephen Chichester, Financial Controller of ZND.

Rotherham-based manufacturer ZND (UK) will provide safety barriers on the route of the Grand Depart.

The company has also announced that it is planning further growth with funding from Barclays.

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ZND (UK) manufactures pedestrian barriers, temporary fencing and hoardings. It exports worldwide to support major global construction and event projects. In 2012 ZND’s products were used at the London Olympic Games and, in 2014, they will help to restrain crowds at major events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Tour de France.

James McLean, the company’s managing director, said yesterday: “The latest deal we have secured with Barclays will enable us to purchase the leasehold premises we operate from, which will provide long term security and stability for the business.”

The company, which has bought the 176,000 square feet premises, employs 97 staff, and hopes to hire more.

Turnover is expected to reach £37m this year, and with recent investment in new machinery, the capacity for manufacturing products has also increased.

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Matthew Chenery, the relationship manager at Barclays said: “It’s great to support a company investing for the future and creating jobs locally.

“This is a great example of a well-run local business with a forward thinking and ambitious management team and the future looks bright as it moves into the next phase of growth.”

ZND’s fences are being used at this year’s Glastonbury music festival.

A ZND spokesman said: “There will be 15,000 of our fences, and over 3,000 of our pedestrian barriers at this year’s festival, to provide not only safety for the thousands of music fans attending, but also piece of mind for the organisers.”