Atlas maps out plans for new factory as part of expansion

Pictured at the former Birds Eye Wall’s site are Coun Martin Mancey (centre) with Atlas Leisure Homes directors (from left) Robin Atkinson, Andy Innes, Dennis Ashton and Bruce Harry.

A STALWART of the UK’s holiday homes industry has unveiled exciting plans for a new factory in Hull as part of a major investment and job creation programme.

Atlas Leisure Homes aims to take the next step in the growth of its business by moving its holiday home storage facility to the former Birds Eye Wall’s site of nearly 18 acres.

It will then embark on the construction of a new factory to open in time for the expiry of the lease at its current premises in Wiltshire Road, Hull, in late 2019.

The proposals underline the confidence of the management at Atlas, which employs nearly 250 people with company turnover expected to exceed £30 million this year.

But joint managing director Andy Innes said the time has come to remove the restrictions imposed by the current premises, which are costing money and jobs.

He said: “We can’t maintain the improvement in our performance if we remain in these buildings. During the last 12 months we have rejected hundreds of orders. We could have added around £15 million to our turnover and employed another 80 local people, and that is an indication of the difference a new factory will make.”

Mr Innes has briefed staff about the proposals and has also outlined plans to add to the management team as colleagues who have played a key part in the company’s success now look towards retirement.

He has worked closely with Hull City Council, who are eager to help Atlas modernise their facilities and create new jobs. The company has taken on 14 apprentices in the last three years and has also recruited long-term unemployed people through the Green Port Hull Pathway to Employment programme. A new operations director, Robin Atkinson, has also been appointed and brings additional experience from a career with world leading manufacturing organisations.

Councillor Martin Mancey, whose Energy City portfolio includes economic development, said: “I welcome the company’s plans to create a new, purpose-built facility and centre of excellence at the Birds Eye Wall’s site and I am delighted that the City Council’s support for Atlas has resulted in such positive outcomes.

“I am impressed by the company’s success in growing its business and by the large number of jobs created, many of which have provided work for local people who were previously unemployed.

“We can’t afford to have any business constrained by a lack of available sites and we can’t pass up on the job opportunities that arise from this sort of investment. The first phase of the company’s development plans is for storage of mobile homes but the longer term plan – and the bigger picture – is construction of a modern factory that will continue the growth of Atlas Leisure Homes. That’s the big prize.”

A planning application for the storage project is due to be considered by Hull City Council in October or November and Mr Innes said approval will enable the company to build on its achievements.

He said: “We’ve strengthened all areas of the business including design, procurement and production management and that’s brought a significant improvement in business over the last three or four years. Moving the storage facility from Melton to the new site will help us reduce our overheads.

“Feedback from the recent industry shows in Cottingham says our product range is the best we have ever had. We need to cater for the rising demand which results from that and we need to secure the future of the business for the next generation.”