Equi-Trek, the largest producer of horseboxes and trailers in the UK, has bought the 186,000 sq ft former Fox Wire facility in North West Sheffield for £1.6m as part of the Yorkshire company’s ambitions expansion plans.
The site in Stocksbridge was home to 170-year-old wire manufacturing company Fox Wire until it went into administration in December 2014.
It will now become the new headquarters for the 16-year-old, family-run, equestrian transport company which employs 130 staff and is currently based in Meltham near Huddersfield.
Equi-Trek secured funding from Leeds City Region with the support of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to help secure the move, for the refurbishment of the site and to encourage the relocation of staff.
The move, which will see the employment of up to 30 new staff over the next couple of years, will also see the company expand its new motorhomes and motorsport transport divisions.
The purchase includes the 186,000 sq ft building on Sheephouse Road and surrounding woodland totalling 55 acres.
The Sheffield office of Knight Frank and Elliam acted on behalf of the trustees of a pension fund.
Rebecca Schofield, partner at the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, said: “Equi-Trek was attracted to this secure site which is ideally located north west of Sheffield benefitting from easy access to the M1.
“We had other interested parties in the site, but we were pleased to see the premises sold to an occupier who is going to invest in the site and continue manufacturing from there.’’
Ray Jannion, chairman at Equi-Trek said: “We were looking to relocate and consolidate the five sites we have around Huddersfield into one. Our search began a while ago and Fox Wire soon became the favourite.
“We have an extensive refurbishment programme planned to bring all our design and production under one roof there allowing for new manufacturing areas and a showroom. We are hoping to commence operations there in January 2017.
“The size of the site was the main attraction along with the location offering good access to the motorways.”
Equi-Trek is the only British company to manufacture a complete range of horse transport from lightweight, towable trailers up to 26 tonne motorised horseboxes which can transport 12 horses.
Its trailers and horseboxes have proved hugely successful in the UK and it has thousands of loyal customers across the world.
From humble beginnings on the outskirts of West Yorkshire, it is now the largest exporter of vehicles to Europe, and as far afield as the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The company has more than 20 approved UK dealerships and almost 50 worldwide.
Ray added: “Our current business objectives and performance meant we needed a site large enough to continue our expansion from equine transport into motorsport and motorhomes.
“We will be looking to add to our staff and recruit up to 30 more employees over the next couple of years. This is a hugely exciting time for the company.
“The funding from Leeds City Region will be crucial in helping the refurbishment and for moving a number of jobs from Huddersfield over to Barnsley.”
