A Holme Valley firm has announced ambitious expansion plans expected to create up to 200 new jobs.
Honley-based precision component supplier Accu is investing over £1 million to design and open a state-of-the-art head office and distribution centre on the former Brook Motors site in Brockholes.
The company, which employs more than 90 people and supplies over 50% of the world’s top 100 manufacturers, is building a new 45,000 sq ft distribution centre on the Huddersfield Road site.
The move is expected to create up to 200 new jobs as Accu, which operates a four-day working week for all staff, aims to grow turnover to £40 million by 2026.
The company, which saw sales increase by between 60% and 70% during the pandemic, recorded a £12 million turnover at the end of its last financial year, and is on track to reach £18 million this year.
Martin Ackroyd, co-founder and CEO at Accu, said: “We are moving from an 8,000 sq ft premises to a brand new, 45,000 sq ft space because, quite simply, we need more room to grow.
“We will be able to hold significantly more stock, which means speedier distribution – and our customers receiving their orders quicker.
“We will also grow our product range to give our customers more choice, while expanding into other areas such as specialist plastic products for weight-saving engineering projects.
“Our new headquarters will incorporate open plan workspaces and break-out areas for staff, a coffee bar and a lecture theatre for the company to host staff training and industry-specific guest events and speakers.”
Mr Ackroyd added: “We are an international business but we employ a local workforce and supporting our local economy is hugely important to how we operate. That’s partly why we chose to move less than a mile from our current head office, because we want to continue that commitment and put our business innovation and growth at the heart of Huddersfield.
“We’re working with local contractors to carry out all the design and building work including local architects, interior designers and construction companies.”
Mr Ackroyd explained the new site will also incorporate a podcast recording studio that will help tell the stories of some of the trailblazing businesses it supplies.
He explained: “It is our privilege to supply and work with over 75,000 active customers, many of whom use our products to bring ground-breaking projects to life – from developing prosthetics technology, to helping facilitate clean water projects in Africa.
“Our components are being used in some of the most inspiring ways, and our podcast studio will allow us to hear the stories of these projects to help the engineers of the future learn and develop.”
In April 2022, Accu moved to a permanent four-day working week for all staff with no reduction in pay, with employees receiving one annual paid volunteer day with one of its eight chosen charities.
Its move to Brockholes will also see the revival of the village’s once popular annual carnival, funded by Accu as part of the company’s efforts to support the growth of the local economy and drive community engagement.
Mr Ackroyd added: “The Brockholes Carnival was always an important date in the community calendar, and we’re delighted to be able to revive it as part of our move to the village.”
Local Conservative MP Jason McCartney, whose Colne Valley constituency also covers the Holme Valley, said: “I am delighted to see the progress that Accu has made and am so proud to see a local business thriving.
“The Accu team should be proud of the work they are doing in providing high quality products for export around the globe, while helping create high quality jobs in our community.”
