Tyseley-based kitchen, bathroom and bedroom manufacturer, Mereway Group, celebrated the opening of the expansion to one of its factories with a visit from Andy Street, managing director at John Lewis.
Andy Street joined business owners Bob and Richard Norris to mark the opening an additional 2000ft2, adding 10% to the existing 17,500ft2 site.
The £500,000 investment at the Amington Road premises will create 10 new jobs for the company that is predicting to double its turnover in the next five years.
The factory which was the original production plant when the company was founded 30 years ago, has been extended to provide a new packing and dispatch area, new office and an improved staff canteen. Facilities have also been upgraded with the addition of new spraying booths to facilitate the production of flat matt painted doors and bespoke kitchen features.
Amington Road is one of four production sites within the area where products are designed and manufactured. Mereway supplies a network of about 500 independent retailers throughout the UK and has been a supplier to John Lewis for 15 years.
Andy Street says: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support Mereway, a manufacturer that is still designing and manufacturing in Britain. It is fantastic to see that traditional skills such as skilled carpentry, bench work and hand finishing are carried out in the new facility to create quality products for John Lewis customers.”
Joint MD Richard Norris adds: “This is an important milestone for our continued expansion in our 30th year. Despite the challenges that lie ahead we are confident that we can maintain our ambitious plans for growth, developing new products and strengthening our presence in the kitchen market.
“Our long-standing relationship with John Lewis is testament to our partnership approach and our vision to be an outstanding supplier of choice and we are grateful that Andy could join us today to mark this important opening.”
