Ceremony marks start of new manufacturing facility

Councillor Peter Rush, Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Julie Evans (Rochdale Development Agency), Mayoress Gillian Brown, Jonathan Ellaby INX Vice President, Rick Clendenning INX President (USA), Councillor Peter Williams, Mayor Councillor Alan Godson, Paul Fox Factory Manager and Peter Tresadern Managing Director

A ground breaking ceremony has marked the start of a new 40,000sq ft manufacturing facility for Ink Manufacturer INX International UK Ltd in Heywood.

Ink Manufacturer INX International UK Ltd has completed a deal to move from their current location at Transpennine Trading estate in Rochdale to a brand new purpose built facility at Hareshill Distribution Park which they will move into in 2013. The new premises will be 75 per cent bigger than their current site.

Sakata INX Corp, through their US subsidiary INX Group Ltd started blending and storing ink for printing beer and soft-drink cans in Rochdale in 1992 through a newly established subsidiary, INX Group (UK) Ltd.

The company currently employ 70 people in Rochdale, and 36 overseas and it is anticipated that the new premises will see their workforce increase over the next two years.

Agents acting for INX are Preston-O’herlihy and the new site is being acquired from Peel Land & Property.

In attendance were the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson and Gillian Brown, Councillors Peter Williams, Jacqui Beswick and Peter Rush.

Jonathan Ellaby, VP International Operations at INX International said: “The development is proof that INX International is committed to the UK manufacturing sector and to Rochdale in particular.

“In our 20 years in Rochdale we have created jobs and trained local people in the skills of the industry. We look forward to creating more jobs and establishing Rochdale as a Centre of Excellence for our company.

Councillors Peter Williams, added: “It’s great to see work start on site, this development will safeguard almost 70 jobs and allow the company to expand, develop and grow creating further jobs in the coming years.”

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) worked closely with the company and agents Preston O’Herlihy to help them secure the site.

Julie Evans, Business Development Manager for RDA, said: “This is another sign of positive investment in Rochdale and shows that Rochdale remains a popular location for manufacturing in the region giving confidence to businesses expand and grow during a very difficult economic climate.”