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3 minute read

Marshalls to increase capacity with £30m investment

Construction and landscaping product manufacturer, Marshalls, is investing more than £30m throughout 2021 to increase capacity for its existing product ranges, build on its sustainable processes and boost product and digital innovation.

One of the largest investments will be at the Marshalls site in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, where the installation of a dual block plant is expected to increase site capacity for the South East region and operational network as a whole.

The investment of £20m over three years will fund the installation of exclusive patented machinery; Marshalls will be the first in the UK to install the technology. Not only will this project increase capacity but it also represents a notable investment in new product innovation, enabling more diversity of unique finishes and increasing customer choice.

Marshalls has announced investments of more than £30m to increase capacity, enhance sustainable processes & boost innovation / Picture: Marshalls Plc

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Martyn Coffey, chief executive of Marshalls, said: “St Ives is an exciting investment for Marshalls and along with our other investments reflect our commitment to continually develop and strengthen our product offer. By investing heavily in our UK manufacturing capabilities we are giving our customers more opportunities to source products from mainland Britain, which reduces lead times and the impact their projects have on the environment. This is a key part of our investment strategy and our sustainability work too.”

In 2021, Marshalls will also implement new methods to significantly reduce plastic packaging and increase the number of solar panels used at key sites. The firm says these initiatives will help it to achieve the ambitious science-based carbon reduction targets that it set in 2020.

Martyn added: “These projects will transform our customer offer and, combined with a series of digital innovations to improve customer experience online, will support not only our growth but that of our commercial customers. We look forward to sharing more details as projects progress.”

Strengthening commitment to gender equality

In addition to the investment announcement, Marshalls says it is hoping to spark change in the industry by publicly strengthening its commitment to gender equality.

Already working with the United Nations Global Compact on their Target for Gender Equality (UNGC TGE), Marshalls has begun taking action to advance women’s leadership and representation in the business. And now it has taken a further step forward by becoming Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) signatories. With this public commitment, it will be working towards upholding and implementing the principles across its own business as well as its full global supply chain.

Marshalls has been a UNGC signatory since 2009, and the business has already become an industry leader for its work to eradicate modern slavery. It is a natural progression for the business to now put a specific and increased emphasis on the rights of women and girls and to become a Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) signatory.

Marshalls has also strengthened its commitment to gender equality / Picture: Marshalls Plc

The statement was signed by Marshalls chair of the board, Vanda Murray OBE DBA; chief executive officer, Martyn Coffey; general council & company secretary, Shiv Sibal; and group HR director, Louise Furness. Within it, they state:

“We look forward to working in partnership with UNGC Target for Gender Equity to address the lingering barriers to parity whether we find them in our own business operations, in our global supply chain, in our sector or in the wider community. We are ready to act as advocates, take action to address issues of equality and women’s empowerment, be part of an effective platform, to learn more about UNGC Target for Gender Equity and to explore how we can contribute.”


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