New investor brings 60 jobs to Chesterfield
I-Grunwerg, an award-winning supplier of houseware and catering products, is moving its operations to the former Franke Sissons site in Chesterfield.
The family-owned business, which has a turnover of £10 million, specialises in the design and distribution of premium stainless steel products including cutlery, tea ware, serving ware, tableware, kitchen utensils, cookware, kitchen knives, bar ware, and scissors.
It will move to the Sheepbridge Industrial Estate in May 2019 once refurbishment work on the former Franke Sissons building has been completed.
The move has been welcomed by Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council leader, who said: “We are really pleased that I-Grunwerg has decided to become one of our tenants on the Sheepbridge Industrial Estate.
“It is great that the former Franke Sissons site is back in use and providing job opportunities for Chesterfield residents.
“I-Grunwerg sells products through some of the biggest names in retail, including Harrods, Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Waitrose, Lakeland and Costco, as well to catering businesses and restaurants. They also sell products online across the globe.
“So to get a company of that stature locating in the borough is a vote of confidence in Chesterfield. They will add to the growing number of leading companies who are located in the borough at sites like Sheepbridge Industrial Estate and Markham Vale.”
The company has received the support of the council’s economic development team to help it relocate to the area.
Igrunwerg Owner Ben Grunwerg said: “Our main focus is stainless steel kitchen equipment and we have a particular specialism in quality kitchen knives.
“We were attracted to Chesterfield because it is next to the M1, which as a distribution business is great for us. There are good local facilities here and the fact that Chesterfield is going to get HS2 is important as a lot of our customers are based down in London.
“We were also impressed with the development plans for Chesterfield, like the Northern Gateway scheme, which show the town has a bright future.”
The company will be relocating most of its existing workforce from Sheffield to Chesterfield but expects there to be some job opportunities for Chesterfield residents next year and then further roles in the future as the company looks to expand.
Ben added: “Half the jobs here will be warehouse roles and then in the offices we will have a full mix of staff in sales, accounting, operations, marketing, product design and graphic design.”
Refurbishment work to the former Franke Sissons building is already underway to create the company’s offices; a showroom for customers and business clients; research and development and product testing areas; distribution warehouse areas where products will be stored, packed and then sent out for delivery; and staff recreation facilities.
There is also space on the site where the company can expand and build additional warehouses in the future.
