Latest News
Company move saves jobs
Monday, 8 February, 2010
A Telford manufacturing company has doubled the size of its premises in a move which has safeguarded more than 40 jobs and created a handful of new positions.
Hoshizaki, which specialises in the production of commercial ice-making machines, has moved into a new 70,000 sq ft base on the Stafford Park industrial estate. It was previously located a few hundred yards away, in a smaller unit on the same estate.
The move has safeguarded the jobs of the firm's 43 staff, and the company's recent designation as the UK distribution hub for all Hoshizaki Group products has paved the way for expansion. Five new jobs have already been created, with the promise of more to follow.
The Telford site is part of Hoshizaki Europe, which started trading in 1994. It makes ice machines for a wide range of catering customers, including ice flaking machines for the fish retailing sector, and "pure" ice cubes for the restaurant and hotel sector.
One Telford, the economic development organisation for the area, supported the company with its relocation and expansion, along with regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: "Hoshizaki is widely considered to be the best manufacturer of commercial ice makers in the world. With 80 per cent of its products exported, to countries all over the world, it is putting Telford on the global map. We are delighted it has chosen to remain in the town for the next chapter of its success story."
Sam Kawai, Investment Manager at AWM who has been working closely with the company, said: "This move is great news for Telford and the West Midlands region. We're very pleased that the company has not only safeguarded existing jobs, but is also looking to create new ones."
Hoshizaki is the first manufacturer in its sector to have developed a range of commercial scale HFC-free machines, which satisfy the strictest EU safety legislation, helping to reduce ozone-damaging emissions in the fight against global warming. The company said the first machine in its new range, the FM481 AGE-HC ice flaking machine, had been launched to an enthusiastic response from the retail sector.
Hoshizaki Europe's parent company, Hoshizaki Electric Corporation, was established in February 1947 in Nagoya, Japan. Today it has 46 affiliated companies around the world with 10,000 employees.
One Telford has replaced the Transforming Telford brand along with all the services aimed at promoting economic growth and tourism. These are currently in the process of transferring back to Telford & Wrekin Council by the end of March, as part of a new economic development unit.
Pic: Celebrating the Hoshizaki move are, from left, Cllr Eric Carter, Sam Kawai, Akira Kamiya, and Phil Challinor from One Telford
