Further business expansion in Staffordshire announced this month will strengthen its position as a place of opportunity, the county’s economic growth leader has said.
With business development continuing at pace across the county, two businesses operating in Staffordshire have just announced further major investment. Jaguar Land Rover is planning to build a £40million storage facility for 6,500 vehicles in Stone. Developer Stoford is holding a public consultation today on the plans for the site at Stone Business Park which would create 75 jobs. The development would complement Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing facility at i54 South Staffordshire and its other Midlands sites.
Stafford-based Perkins, which produces diesel and gas engines for global export, has submitted its plans for site expansion in the county town. The company employs 750 people. Meanwhile GE’s relocation to the county council-developed Redhill Business Park in Stafford should be completed by next month. In South Staffordshire, automotive supplier Gestamp has started initial operations at the Bericote Four Ashes Business Park early as the county council completes road junction improvements and access to the site.
Staffordshire County Council economic growth leader Mark Winnington said: “Jaguar Land Rover’s announcement on plans for its storage facility in Stone demonstrates further commitment to Staffordshire and will complement its thriving manufacturing facility here. Like GE, Perkins is a long- established county employer where generations have worked and we are pleased it is expanding here, enabling it to offer greater opportunities and high quality jobs locally. And with Gestamp’s operations beginning earlier than expected, we are seeing real strength and resilience in our economy. These are all important developments as we continue to support the creation of better paid, higher skilled jobs in Staffordshire.”