Insulation firm plans to open huge West Midlands factory after completing land deal

Rockwool says it hopes to expand its UK operations with a "state of the art production facility" proposed for land at Peddimore Lane on the north-east fringe of Birmingham. The company currently employs 500 staff at its main UK production plant in Bridgend, South Wales and at other sites across the UK and Ireland.

The proposals for a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility would boost supply capacity for UK and ROI customers, whilst also supporting Rockwool's ambitious global sustainability plans, the company says.

The Peddimore site, which is designated specifically for manufacturing use, is included in Birmingham City Council’s Development Plan and has outline planning permission for a manufacturing facility.

“We’re very excited at the opportunity to expand the business into the West Midlands that would enable us to boost our production capacity in the UK and to create quality jobs and business opportunities in the local community," said Nick Wilson, Managing Director of Rockwool UK & Ireland. 

"During the past 45 years, we have built a strong foundation at our site in South Wales where we will continue to manufacture and invest for the long-term, and are now looking to build on that success with a second manufacturing plant at the Peddimore site."

Key infrastructure including a new access road and roundabout into the site is already in place, servicing an adjacent facility built in 2023.

This would be the company’s second UK production facility in addition to its existing South Wales plant and the firm says the project would also create skilled long-term jobs and local supply chain opportunities, as well as help in achieving the UK’s net zero targets.

"The West Midlands has a skilled, local workforce, a strong manufacturing tradition, and excellent transport links, so it is an ideal location for us to expand our business in the UK and bolster our service to customers in the Midlands and across the north of England and Scotland. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans with the local community and are fully committed to being a good neighbour and partner for the Minworth and wider West Midlands community.”

Rockwool says it will shortly launch a number of community consultation events to gather feedback on the scheme, ahead of a detailed planning application set to be brought forward at a later stage.