Francis Kirk Group is investing in its worldwide supply and distribution hub in Denton with a new warehouse on the site.
The fifth-generation family engineering and fastener business – which celebrates 150 years this year – is building a second 30,000 sq ft warehouse which will more than double its stock capacity.
It will sit alongside the existing 24,000 sq ft facility which was built in 2004 as the company moved its entire operation from Denton high street in the first phase of ambitious expansion plans.
‘Next phase of growth’
The business now turns over £7m (to end of 2017) and is looking to the new warehouse to help them move to the next phase of growth. The current warehouse has over 600,000 items in stock and provides immediate delivery locally to manufacturing customers within a 35 mile radius, an overnight service to the rest of the UK and ships product daily across Europe and around the world.
Managing Director Tom Kirk said the move would maximise space on the site. “It was an easy decision. The site here in Denton allows easy access to the NW road network and beyond. It made sense to explore what more we could do.”
Francis Kirk Group supplies a range of industries including automotive, rail, oil, mining and earth-moving machinery and owns the self-locking nut Philidas. It is a major supplier of socket screws made by leading brands Holokrome and Unbrako and is the sole European supplier of Durlok anti-vibration bolts. It also stocks product from other premium brands such as Draper, Dormer, Gedore, Makita, Stanley.
Its 600,000 item stock base in Denton is among the most comprehensive in the NW. The company also has a thriving trade counter at the site on Denton Old Farm Road which services the local building community.
Earlier this year, MD Tom Kirk was brought into the new Business Advisory Panel set up by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.