An industrial machinery packager has invested in an expansion move, after doubling its workforce over the past year.
Lincoln-based Banks Long & Co today revealed that the growing success of Vanguard Packing Ltd – which is based across three sites in Beevor Street, has resulted in it leasing a further 1,500 sq ft (annexe) to the company, giving it a total of 60,000 sq ft of space.
News swiftly follows Vanguard’s pro-active approach to winning an increasing share of the work being generated by export manufacturers, who need to ensure the equipment they make is securely packaged and crated for shipping to worldwide destinations.
General manager Bill Towle, who heads-up a 20-strong team in Lincoln, said the company occupies a raft of former industrial bays and office space on both sides of Beevor Street – a key regeneration area in the city.
Now it has taken on an extra 1,500 sq ft of space, giving it much needed room to meet the ongoing demand for its services.
“Export manufacturing may be a shrinking market, but we have picked-up new orders and work from former competitors which have fallen by the wayside,” said Mr Towle.
“About a year ago, we won a large contract for shipping bus equipment to South Africa and last Summer we were contracted to provide a service to Siemens. Other local clients include Clarke’s Crankshaft and Machining, Rilmac and Hoval Boilers, with Lincolnshire-area work making-up most of Vanguard’s work locally.”
The company, which also has branches in Blackburn (head office), Hartlepool and Glasgow, mainly concentrates on packaging, but it is able to provide a shipping service where clients require this.
Banks Long & Co Surveyor Mark Spratley handled the leasing of Vanguard’s premises, which are on part of the former Becor House site.
“It is good to hear about Vanguard’s growing success and expansion in an area which is an important part of the city’s industrial heritage and which is now benefiting from massive regeneration.
“Our client, Lincoln Corn Exchange & Markets (1991) Ltd is also working in partnership with the University of Lincoln to develop the University’s School of Science and Pharmacy, plus a flagship Science and Innovation Park on land off nearby Green Lane.”
