Russells Construction has secured a £1.5m design and build contract for jam,
marmalade, honey, peanut butter and condiment manufacturer F Duerr & Sons. The
Trafford-based contractor will construct a 20,000sq ft peanut butter manufacturing
facility at Dallimore Road in Wythenshawe for the family firm.
Andrew Russell, managing director of Russells Construction, has structured a deal
which will see the firm relocate its peanut butter manufacturing operation from its
115 year old factory in Old Trafford to the Roundthorne Industrial Estate. The new
unit will neighbour Duerr's other existing plant on Floats Road. The move marks a
departure for Duerr's which has been based at the Prestage Street site since 1894
following on from its beginnings in Fred and Mary Duerr's kitchen in 1881.
Andrew Russell said: "We had in our portfolio a piece of land which was ideal for a
new manufacturing facility so we developed a scheme and approached Duerrs with a
design and build proposal. Our team worked very hard to ensure both the land deal and
the construction project would allow Duerrs to continue its operations and support the
company's future plans.
"Our focus over the last year has been on delivering well-thought out projects to
end-user clients and making sure the contracts run to time and to budget. The economy
has undoubtedly made the commercial property market more difficult but it has also
created opportunities for contractors who are able to put together schemes which offer
value for money and appealing results for their clients."
Russells has commenced work on site and the project is due for completion by May 2010.
Mark Duerr, managing director, said the move was necessary to respond to market
demands and increased production. He said: "The demands of modern production meant a
move from Prestage Street was becoming a priority. We had feared that Duerrs would
have to move this area of production out of Manchester as we were struggling to find
an appropriate site, so I was delighted to receive an approach from Russells
Construction with a great scheme which has enabled us to remain in the area and
protect those local jobs.
"This will be the first purpose-built peanut butter production and storage site in the
UK and forms a major part of our growth strategy for this market. The new facility will
allow for our future expansion and may even allow for the creation of new jobs going
forward."
Russells Construction has recently won a series of refurbishment contracts including a
£400,000 project for J&M Properties, an £800,000 scheme for AKW Group Plc in Trafford
Park, and another £400,000 development for a Yorkshire-based haulier, Longs of Leeds.
The company is also currently building a £9m Holiday Inn Express in Manchester, and
working on a £4m retail park in Hull and a £2m contract for an office complex in Trafford.
Advisors for Russells Construction included Fruhman Davies Livingstones and Tenon.
Hillyer McKeown from Chester acted for F Duerr & Sons.
