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Steelite International prepare to move into new factory

3 July 2014

 

On July 1, an exciting indication of Steelite International’s ongoing success is to be celebrated with a ‘topping out’ ceremony. The ceremony will mark the rapid progress made in the construction of the new Dish Cell building. Chief Executive, Kevin Oakes, will sign one of the steel rafters on a cherry picker to mark the final episode of production before its completion in August. The steel rafter will then remain in situ for the duration of the buildings life. 

The ‘topping out’ of a building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious practise of placing a tree on the top of a new building to commemorate a significant moment in its construction. The ceremony will be attended by representatives from Steelite International and Royal Crown Derby, along with representatives from Novus Property Solutions. 

Kevin Oakes, CEO, said that the ceremony was an ‘integral’ part of the extension plans commenting that: ‘Holding this ceremony enables us to recognise the hard work that’s gone in to the production of Steelite International’s new production space. Not only the people actively involved in the building of the expansion, but the people that work hard every single day to ensure the subsequent success and therefore necessity to expand our Company.’ 

Alan Nixon, director at Novus Property Solutions, said: “We are proud as a local business rich in heritage to be working for Steelite, another local business with a strong 

heritage, and playing our part in their growth and expansion. We look forward to maintaining a continued link with Steelite and to celebrating and acknowledging our collaboration at the Topping Out Ceremony.” 

Steelite International’s investment in the factory expansion will secure new jobs for the local community of Stoke-on-Trent and enable the Middleport Manufacturer to continue to succeed as an ambassador for the city of Stoke-on-Trent worldwide. 

The new build will hopefully be completed by June, 2014 and will increase capacity with an extra 22,000 square ft of production space. It will be used as a facility for production from August 2014 securing jobs, creating new jobs and helping Steelite and, in turn Stoke-on-Trent as a community, to progress and grow. 

Wendy Dean, Group HR Director at Steelite International said, ‘Unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent has risen year on year and our expansion is a fantastic way to offer new jobs to people who may have been affected. This topping out ceremony recognises our commitment to manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent; now, and well in to the future’.