A specialist manufacturer of glass-reinforced concrete for building façade panels will quadruple its output following a move to new premises in Wolverhampton. Legal advice on the lease was provided by Charan Thiara of FBC Manby Bowdler’s commercial property team.
Established in 2002, Telling Architectural enjoyed steady growth for many years but it was the decision, in 2013, to expand in to the production of glass-reinforced concrete that changed things for the business. This caused its turnover to double from £2.8m in 2014, to £5.7m just a year later and as Mike Wood, Director explains, a move became a necessity.
“Once we had expanded our range, our rate of growth was significant. Recognising that demand for GRC could grow rapidly, we put in place plans to double in size again within the coming few years. However, our original unit on the Four Ashes Industrial Estate would not cope with this level of production and it became obvious a move would be necessary.
“The Four Ashes Estate has a great deal to offer in terms of its proximity to the motorway network and mainline railway stations and we really didn’t want to relocate anywhere more urban. We were, therefore, delighted when we found out that a 60,000 sq ft unit just 300 metres away from our existing site had become available.”
During the early part of negotiations to secure the new facility, the freehold was acquired by South Staffordshire District Council and an agreement was subsequently made between them and Telling that will see the manufacturer enjoy a rent-free period of six months, offset against the extensive dilapidation repairs undertaken at the facility.
Commenting on Telling’s expansion, Wolverhampton-based solicitor, Charan Thiara says:
“Mike and the team at Telling Architectural successfully identified a way of diversifying the business which led to sustained growth. Yet with that came the need to relocate.
“The availability of a unit in proximity to their existing base was too good an opportunity to ignore and once South Staffordshire District Council had secured the freehold, the path was cleared for Telling to make the necessary improvements and relocate the business.
“They have ambitious future growth plans and having worked with Mike and the team previously, I have every faith that they’ll realise these plans.”
Telling currently employs 60 staff and with the ability to quadruple production output following their relocation, it is anticipated that this will increase to 90 within the next two years.