A new headquarters for fast growing clothing and sportswear business Gymshark is thought to be the biggest letting in Redditch for five years.
Launched by former Aston University students Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan, the business has taken 7,814 sq ft at Unit 1, Brooklands, fronting Moons Moat Drive, in a deal put together by property agents John Truslove.
“Everyone involved with Gymshark – our supporters, our team and our athletes – form part of a huge community, a family,” said Mr Francis.
“We promise to do the best we possibly can to help our family and these new premises reflect that while at the same time taking us to the next level.”
Gymshark offers a range of exercise apparel for men and women which has been developed and expanded to include the likes of workout t-shirts, gym bags, running jackets, stringer vests, hoodies and hex leggings – all emblazoned with the brand’s distinctive shark logo.
Mr Francis and Mr Morgan co-founded the business when they were still teenagers, both are directors of the business along with managing director Steve Hewitt and strategic director Paul Richardson.
Started in 2012, Gymshark now boasts 40-plus staff and international customers in 160 countries, selling over the internet and competing with the likes of sportswear giants Adidas and Nike.
The new premises houses design, e-commerce,administration and customer service.
The company which has warehouse space in Bromsgrove is looking to expand that side from 15,000 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft in 2017.
Manufacturing to Gymshark’s own designs takes place abroad, mostly in China.
Ben Truslove, a director of John Truslove, said: “It is a remarkable success story and a big catch for Redditch.
“It is hard to call these things but we believe it is certainly one of the largest office lettings in the area for a very long time.”
Paul Richardson, strategic development director of Gymshark, said: “We will do £12 million turnover this year and are aiming to raise that to £50 million in the next five years.
“We chose Redditch because it has good motorway connections, many of our staff live in the area and the building offered room to grow.”
Mr Francis said: “It all began in a paint-stained back room at home, with a screen-printer bought with our combined savings. We are now talking thousands of square feet of office space and warehousing – quite a change.
“But the ethos is the same – making unique, fitted sportswear and accessories to help people reach their true athletic potential. We are still obsessed with innovation, more so than ever.
“Gymshark is dedicated to creating the best fitness products available anywhere. We are very passionate about helping people improve themselves, change their lifestyles and reach their goals and we will continue to push ourselves to do so.
“We are constantly investing our profits back into the business in order to create new and exciting technical garments and looking to push Gymshark forwards. Gymshark, thanks to the amazing people who support it, has grown from nothing into something we think is truly special.
“Yet, despite the success we have had I believe we still have a long way to go. I’m very excited about the future.”
A two storey building, the new premises has been taken on a ten year lease.