Expanding manufacturer takes space at Blackpool enterprise zone

A key 20,000sq ft unit at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone has been snapped up by a growing Blackpool business.

Willis and Thornley, which was recently bought out by the Jeremias Group, has moved into Pioneer House at the south of Blackpool Business Park.

The company, which manufactures industrial chimneys and flues, has moved from its original home on Cowley Road into the industrial unit formerly occupied by Lebus Engineers.

The move allows the site to become the new UK headquarters for German-owned chimney manufacturers Jeremias.

The new unit is based five minutes from the M55 motorway and offers plenty of warehousing space, allowing the company to increase production and take on larger orders.

Jeremias has invested in two 20t overhead cranes to increase the size of items it can manufacture, as well as a full renovation of the offices, HD Plasma Profile Machine and additional welding equipment.

It has also retained five of the staff from the old Lebus Engineering, taking its total headcount up to 35, with plans to expand in coming years.

Robert Willis, Managing Director of Willis and Thornley and Industrial Design Director at Jeremias UK, said: “We had worked closely with the Jeremias Group for over 12 years in both supplier and client roles, the synergy between both businesses was a natural progression to drive the growth of the Jeremias business in the UK.

“The backing and support of the Jeremias group has been phenomenal and enabled us to grow the Blackpool facility to be the market leader for industrial chimneys in the UK.”