The official opening was attended by Uwe Schültke, COO Brenntag Europe, Middle East and Africa, the company’s key suppliers and customers, representatives from the Department for International Trade and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, MP for Leeds North West Mr Greg Mulholland, members of Brenntag sites from across the UK & Ireland, media and press.
Mr Mulholland said: “It is encouraging to see a thriving, market leading business continuing to go from strength to strength.“
Russel Argo, President, Brenntag UK & Ireland, said the company plans to invest around £3.3 million on the Lawnswood site during the next 15 years, with further investment planned at its sales and distribution site at Gomersal, West Yorkshire, along with the number of investments across the company’s sites in the UK & Ireland.
The number of people employed at the Leeds headquarters has risen by 18% to 125 during the last 3 years.
The company, which distributes chemical ingredients used in sectors including food and nutrition, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, household and industrial cleaning, has received more than £50 million of funding from Brenntag Group, which is headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
The investment will be spread across Brenntag’s business in the UK and Ireland, and is a significant vote of confidence in the firm’s Yorkshire operations as the UK prepares for negotiations over Brexit.
Steven Holland, Chief Executive of Brenntag AG, said: “The UK represents a significant market for our products and services and it remains an integral part of our European and global growth strategy.”
To receive such significant financial backing from Europe in the current climate is testament to the success and ongoing vision of the UK operation.
Mr Argo added: “Following the relocation to our new UK and Ireland HQ, we are even better placed to reaffirm our market leading position. This is the perfect start to the year for the business. Across the UK and Ireland, numerous initiatives, innovations and targets have been consistently delivering impressive performance results for the group. So to receive significant financial backing from Europe is a major boost.”
The £50 million investment confirms Brenntag Group’s long-term commitment to its UK and Irish operations, a company spokesman said.