26th february 2003
MID BULK CELEBRATES START OF PRODUCTION

Celebrations marked the start of production at the first unit to be occupied on the Park Springs strategic site in Grimethorpe. (Left to right) BDA chief executive John Penney, Yorkshire Forward’s Tony Kildare and leader of Barnsley MBC councillor Stephen Houghton joined Mid Bulk managing director Kevan Upperdine to cut cake and toast the 20 jobs already created by the venture.



Mid Bulk Limited, part of Midlands-based MIP Limited, manufactures flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), commonly known as ‘big bags’, from its new 15,000 sq ft facility. The bags are supplied to the food, chemical, fertiliser and building industries.

Welcoming the company to Barnsley, councillor Houghton said: “Mid Bulk are just the kind of ambitious company that Grimethorpe needs. We look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength.”

Tony Kildare added: “These units were developed by Yorkshire Forward to help stimulate investment and bring jobs to Grimethorpe. We are sure that Mid Bulk is the first of many investors to recognise the potential of the site.”

One of the leading manufacturers of FIBCs, MIP Limited, was established in 1903 and has a 50, 000 sq ft facility at Halesowen, Birmingham. Here it employs 60 people manufacturing speciality films and flexible packaging for a diverse range of markets from salt to soap powder, grass to grain seed, throughout the UK and Ireland.

The new factory in Barnsley represents the first stage of a major expansion programme for the firm. Commenting on the start of production at Park Springs, Mid Bulk managing director Kevan Upperdine said:

“This year we celebrate our centenary, but we’re looking forward rather than back! We see an exciting future in Barnsley and are delighted with the unit and the workforce. We look forward to recruiting more local people as we expand.”

All four of the high quality speculative units developed by Yorkshire Forward at Park Springs are now under offer. Located alongside Grimethorpe’s new £9.5m link road, they offer access to the A1, M1, and M62 in a matter of minutes.

BDA’s John Penney commented: “These units form an important part of the overall regeneration strategy for Grimethorpe which will bring new jobs and stimulate inward investment at a local level. We look forward to welcoming other companies on site soon.”

Park Springs has funding from Yorkshire Forward, English Partnerships, European Regional Development Fund (Objective One Programme), Single Regeneration Budget, as well as private sector investment from UK Coal and Barnsley Miller Partnership.

The new units are built on 34 acres of former mining land which has been reclaimed for redevelopment.




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