Silentnight has announced it is expanding its manufacturing facilities at Barnoldswick and creating 140 new jobs, after Lancashire County Council agreed a £1 million investment package.
Bosses said hundreds of existing jobs have also been secured by the agreement, which the county council is supporting to boost the area’s economy and create job opportunities for local people.
The expansion comes after the announcement that Silentnight’s site in Batley, West Yorkshire, would close and production moved to Barnoldswick, with the loss of 200 jobs.
Adrian Fawcett, Chairman of Silentnight Group Limited, said: “I am extremely grateful for the support offered to Silentnight by Lancashire County Council, which has helped us invest in new roles and secure what will be approaching 500 manufacturing-related jobs here in Barnoldswick.
“This helps us increase the capacity of the site, allowing us to produce additional ranges of products.”
Geoff Driver, leader of the county council, said: “It’s hugely important to me that the council does everything it can to create and secure jobs in the county and I’m delighted that Silentnight is able to do both of those things with our support.
“This is excellent news for everyone associated with the factory including the workers, their families and the small businesses that benefit from the factory’s presence in the town.
“The manufacturing industry remains vital to the Lancashire economy and will continue to for a long time with big name brands like Silentnight expanding here, even when the economic climate is tough.”
Silentnight has already begun taking on new workers in Barnoldswick to support the expansion of production at the site. Coun. Driver added: “We are sending out the message that not only does Lancashire have a great workforce and infrastructure, it also has a county council that will show serious commitment to organisations who are going to do something truly positive for the local economy.
“We have worked hard to reach this agreement because we know the county council’s investment will make a real difference in terms of job security and job creation.”
Edwin Booth, chair of Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said: “There are few places in the country that can match Lancashire’s track record in manufacturing and its reputation can only continue to grow with a market leader like Silentnight expanding its operations here.
“The agreement between the company and the county council will provide an excellent return on investment for local taxpayers and it shows that the public sector in the county is really determined to make economic growth happen.”