Croda to invest £7m at new distribution centre in Goole

Speciality chemicals manufacturer, Croda, has announced it is to invest more than £7million into the fit-out of a new distribution and warehousing facility in Goole. The site will become its worldwide distribution hub for products made at its three northern UK manufacturing sites and for the European delivery of products made across its global network.

The new warehouse will enable Croda to operate a much larger distribution facility to service its growing global business. A new modern product-sampling department will be included as part of the investment, which will provide a more efficient service to the company’s expanding customer base. The site will also be home to a new International Employee Training Centre, providing development opportunities for the company’s global workforce.

Croda has announced it will invest £7m at a new distribution & warehouse facility in Goole / Picture: Croda/db symmetry

Tritax Big Box REIT’s dedicated logistics developer, db symmetry, has worked closely with Croda to design and build a warehouse to exceptionally high safety and environmental standards. Energy and water saving measures will be key features of the project, combined with a zero waste to landfill policy. Investment in new automated processes and an anti-collapse racking system will offer the highest level of protection to employees at the site. The project will create up to 200 skilled jobs during the construction phase.

Maarten Heybroek, President of Croda Europe, said: “We are delighted at the prospect of securing a site in Goole for this investment as we are hugely proud of our Yorkshire heritage. Our founding Rawcliffe Bridge manufacturing site and our Global Headquarters, Cowick Hall, are both located less than 10 miles away. In line with our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, we will use the latest technologies to minimise our environmental impact and offer the most advanced safety features to our people in a facility of this kind.

“This announcement demonstrates the company’s commitment to UK manufacturing and provides long term job security for the workforce who will move from our existing operation and for the new quality warehouse roles we will create.”

Freddie Oakey, associate development director at Tritax Big Box REIT’s developer, db symmetry, added: “Over the last 18 months we have become increasingly active in Yorkshire, identifying strategic sites where we can develop large scale logistics schemes. Goole 36 alongside the existing Capitol Park site is already well-established and the letting to Croda will only further increase Goole’s standing as a premier logistics destination in the North.”

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, concluded: “The council welcomes Croda’s multi-million-pound proposal for a new worldwide distribution centre at Goole 36, marking another great moment in the company’s long and proud history in the East Riding. This development will create a number of highly-skilled jobs and will also benefit the local economy with the company establishing its international training centre at the site.

“I’m pleased that Croda, like many other international businesses, has selected Goole as their preferred choice. This is due to its prime location and the support offered by organisations such as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, with its enterprise zone status and the excellent connectivity of the site to the extensive motorway network, port facilities and rail connections.”