First look at huge new production plant set to be built in Preston for the Kerakoll Group

A huge new production plant is set to be built in Preston, creating dozens of jobs.

Kerakoll Group, an international leader in sustainable building materials, has acquired 40,000 square meters of land at Aptus off Roman Way for its new production plant – the second in the UK.

With construction set to commence by late 2024 and completion expected by spring 2026, the facility in Preston will add to the one already existing in Leyland and will serve as a hub for manufacturing and distributing the Group’s products across the UK and Northern Europe. It will be Kerakoll Group’s 20th production site globally.

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The investment will lead to an expansion by 30 per cent of the Group’s workforce in the UK as well as a 100 per cent increase in production capacity in the country by 2028. In 2023, Kerakoll Group achieved a turnover of £40 million in the UK, supported by a dedicated team of over 130 employees.

The new plant will leverage green technologies and sustainable practices, such as photovoltaic panels, which are expected to produce 245 kWh per day, and advanced rainwater recycling systems.

Carl Gardner will lead the expansion of Kerakoll Group in the UK at a significant moment, with the Group in the process of integrating the brands Kerakoll and Tilemaster Adhesives, a company specialising in ceramic and flooring installation systems it acquired in 2017.

Marco Zini, CEO of Kerakoll Group, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of Kerakoll Group’s latest accomplishments. Both the launch of our second production site project in Lancashire and the appointment of a seasoned professional like Carl Gardner reflect Kerakoll Group's unwavering dedication to accelerating expansion in strategically vital regions. I’m sure Carl will make a big impact in his new role, helping us sustain the momentum in our trajectory of international growth”.

Vivienne Clements, Executive Director for Industrial and Logistics at developer HBD, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to provide a solution for Kerakoll as it looks to expand its UK and northern European network. The deal will act as a catalyst for the delivery of the scheme and demonstrates the continued demand in the market for high-quality, sustainable industrial and logistics space in key strategic locations.

“We look forward to seeing the first unit take shape this year, as infrastructure works start in spring followed by construction in summer.”