Screwfix to deliver 700 new staffordshire jobs

The power tools, plumbing and hardware company already has a major warehouse at Stafford employing hundreds of staff.

But up to 700 new jobs will be created at the new site: a purpose-built 562,000 sq ft warehouse to be built at Prologis Park Fradley. Work is due to start this month and should be completed by October next year.

"The decision to construct a warehouse near Lichfield was taken to ensure we have the logistics infrastructure to support the needs of our expanding business," said Martin Lee, supply chain, logistics and IT director at Screwfix.

"Adding one store per week to our network means we need to make sure we have the stock distribution in place to enable our busy trade customers to get what they want, when they need it from the nearest Screwfix, so they can get back to the job as quickly as possible.

"We will initially be recruiting 200 new warehouse colleagues and drivers and the number of roles required will grow to 700 to support its growth plan, representing a significant employment opportunity for the local community."

Screwfix will lease the the warehouse from Prologis and Wittington, while the development of the building will be funded by an arm of property investment group Tritax Big Box REIT. Tritax said the development represented an investment of £52.7 million.

"Prologis has a strong relationship with Screwfix, so we are delighted to be working with the company again to expand its operations in the West Midlands," said Andrew Griffiths, managing director of Prologis UK. "Prologis Park Fradley is one of the few remaining locations in the region that can accommodate a building of this size because of the shortage of employment land in the West Midlands."