Planet PVC Group’s new £500,000 roofing factory in Bamber Bridge near Preston is now up and running, with production gearing up for the manufacture of over 100 thermally efficient roofs per week. The new factory, which has resulted in a four-year supply agreement with Ultraframe, has created 25 new jobs with another ten likely to be created before the end of the year.
Steve Hacking, head of operations for the new 17,000 sq ft factory, joined Planet from Shepley Windows in November last year to oversee the new factory’s development. He had previously spent ten years with Ultraframe.

‘We’re currently manufacturing for all Planet’s company owned showrooms with the Planet franchises; Haydock, Isle of Man, Kendal, Leeds and Wakefield coming on stream this month,’ says Hacking. ‘March will see us also manufacturing for all of Planet’s southern franchise operations as well.’

The roofing factory is due to take delivery of two bespoke 45 foot trailers together with a tractor unit and a 7.5 tonne box van which will be used solely for deliveries from the roofing factory.

Planet is looking to install 135 conservatories a week by the end of 2004 with 200 installations per week by 2005/06. The company is aiming to have another 35 franchises secured within the next two years.

Planet was established in 1995 by the present chairman Dean St John and has grown to employ over 500 people. The main site and head office is located on Oldfield Road in Bamber Bridge, just 200 yards from its new roofing factory. The company is forecasting a £70 million plus turnover for 2004/05.

Source

Glass Age