A leading manufacturer of timber holiday lodges and buildings, Pinelog Ltd, is set to relocate its production facility from Bakewell to Chesterfield and create 30 new jobs.
Nick Grayson, Chairman of Pinelog Group, a family-owned business which also owns Landal Darwin Forest and Landal Sandybrook Holiday Parks and employs approximately 240 people, made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event held on Wednesday 23 March at the Winding Wheel.
Known as a pioneer in the holiday park sector, the move to Chesterfield marks the end of Pinelog’s 10-year ambition to modernise their premises. The company will make the move from Bakewell, where it has been based since 1974, to its new premises on Sheepbridge Works in May later this year.
The new 36,000sq ft industrial unit, formerly occupied by Vesuvius, will enable the company to bring its production process under one roof. The site also offers a central location, excellent road links and access to a skilled local labour force and supply chain network.
In addition to complete holiday lodges, components for the construction of timber Glulam framed commercial buildings designed and built by Pinelog, will also be manufactured at the new site.
Mr Grayson said: “Our refusal to compromise on our requirements for a new facility has meant it has been a long process, but it has paid off. All our requirements have been met at Chesterfield.
“The move to our new facility in Sheepbridge marks a new chapter in Pinelog’s story; one where we can modernise, invest in new technology and further improve the business to capitalise on the staycation boom and growth in sustainable construction.”
As part of the company’s exciting growth plans, Pinelog will develop partnerships with local skills providers, including Chesterfield College.
He added: “A number of our staff live in Chesterfield, as do I, so I know there is a good local labour pool we can draw on immediately to increase production capacity in the business. We have also got to look to our future workforce, so we will be investing in apprenticeships and skills and training through Chesterfield College.”
Mr Grayson’s announcement was welcomed by delegates at the business event, which was is organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby and sponsored by CT and Markham Vale.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, welcomed Pinelog Ltd to Chesterfield saying: “The investment by Pinelog in the town is testament to Chesterfield’s strong offering for manufacturing businesses. We not only have excellent road and transport links, but we also have the premises, people and skills and good local supplier network. Our economic development team have worked closely with Pinelog to help support their move into the town. I am delighted that Chesterfield has been selected by Pinelog as the location to take the business to the next level and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them as they settle into their new business base here in Chesterfield.”
Now in its twelfth year, Celebrate Chesterfield is one of the most hotly anticipated business events in the area. This year, the sell-out event also hosted the Derbyshire Festival of Business Exhibition and attracted 250 delegates.
Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “Despite the challenges the pandemic has thrown at the town, Chesterfield has kept moving and the announcement by Pinelog Group at the conference was testament to that. We’re delighted that Pinelog chose Celebrate Chesterfield as the event to share its relocation news.”
In addition to Mr Grayson, speakers at the conference also included Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, Neil Johnson, Director of Economic Growth at Chesterfield Borough Council, and Professor Warren Manning, Provost Innovation and Research at the University of Derby.
To find out more about investing in Chesterfield, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/invest.
