KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
We strongly recommend viewing KBzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Deputy Prime Minister visits Glen Dimplex Home Appliances
The Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, visited the UK manufacturing headquarters of Glen Dimplex Home Appliances yesterday, as it was revealed the business is to receive a £3m Regional Growth Fund investment - the largest sum to be awarded to a North West business.
The Regional Growth Fund is a £3.2 billion fund to help companies throughout England to create jobs between now and the mid-2020s. The RGF supports projects and programmes that are using private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment. It is a competitive fund and has a minimum bid threshold of £1 million.
Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, the parent company of cooking appliance and refrigeration brands Belling, Stoves, New World and Lec, is thought to be the last remaining manufacturer producing freestanding cookers, built-in ovens and hobs and range cookers in the UK and will use the funding to further expand its manufacturing facilities and increase its manufacturing capacity. It is expected the move will create approximately 300 new jobs in the North West over the next three years.
The Deputy Prime Minister toured the company's 26-acre Merseyside base and manufacturing facility and met with the some of the company's apprentices. GDHA runs a three year apprenticeship scheme in partnership with local colleges offering NVQ training in a variety of roles across the business.
"This investment is hugely important to our business," said Denver Hewlett, Chief Executive of Glen Dimplex Home Appliances. "Many years ago we committed to returning the manufacture of as many of our products to the UK as possible but that has required significant investment. This money will allow us to further expand our operations, create jobs for the local community and increase our export activity."
The Deputy Prime Minister said: "The North West has seen major benefits from the Regional Growth fund already, and the £23 million investment I am announcing today is the latest important part in making sure the recovery is sustainable and balanced across the country.
"What Glen Dimplex Home Appliances has done here is a great success story. It is very rare to see a company that fully manufactures its products on one site from beginning to end. We're delighted the Regional Growth Fund is going to allow them to move onto the next phase of development."
GDHA is a privately owned company that produces across all categories, from Range Cookers to built-in and freestanding ovens. With more than 20% share of the UK market, it is a leading supplier to most of the major high street retailers. The company has hundreds of years' experience in producing quality products, and has earned a reputation for being a specialist in the production of market-leading domestic and electrical appliances. At its 26-acre Liverpool base, GDHA turns over £150 million a year and employs more than 1000 people (including 200 engineers trained to the highest standards and 18 apprentices).
11th April 2014