Homeseeker to grow at new plant

HOMESEEKER Homes has received planning permission to build new factory, warehouse and administrative headquarters at Rushden, less than three miles from its existing site at Irthlingborough in Northants.

The company's initial plan is to double its manufacturing capacity as part of a long-term growth strategy. Homeseeker employs 122 people at Irthlingborough and all existing jobs will be safeguarded. The management hopes that almost all current employees will choose to remain.

In addition, round 30 new jobs will be created, to be phased in over the first six months of the enlarged operation.

The new, 5,600 m2 facility, to be built on a 6.5-acre site, will comprise a purpose-built factory for park home production, plus warehousing, offices, car parking and a landscaped park home village.

The company launched its park home village at its existing site (pictured above) earlier this year, and it has proved a big success. The new village will have a permanent display of nine fully furnished park homes and will be open to the public free of charge.

Work will start at the new site in autumn 2007 and the new factory is expected to be complete in autumn 2008.

This year Homeseeker, founded in 1987, is celebrating 20 years in the park home business this year. Since its acquisition in 2004 by Shepherd Group, which also owns Advent Park & Leisure Homes, the company's customer base has widened and it now supplies more parks than ever.

Two new contemporary ranges have been brought to market in 2007 - the Pentland, with its distinctive regency-inspired full height windows, and the cleverly designed Brecon with its staggered front elevation.

"Our orders are very buoyant and we need to increase production of park homes," said Bill Clarke, Director and General Manager of Homeseeker.

"The new facility will allow us to do this and therefore to continue our growth, which has been rapid since 2004.

"By moving locally, we hope to retain the support of our dedicated and skilled employees who have contributed so much to our success," he added.

The new Rushden site has easy access to the major road network via the nearby A45. It will be convenient for customers to visit and for members of the public to tour the park home village, which will be one of the best show grounds of its kind in the UK.

For more information about Homeseeker, tel: 01933 651644, email: [email protected], website: www.homeseekerhomes.com.

This news piece was published in the September 2007 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.

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