A specialist Barnsley manufacturer is moving in to larger premises to ramp up production and extend its product range.
Adomast, which supplies chemical products to the UK construction industry, is moving into a 24,000 sq ft building on Carlton Industrial Estate next month. Its new home will be more than twice the size of its existing base in nearby Shafton.
A £100,000 investment in new equipment, including an additional 50 litre storage tank, specialist mixing tanks and a semi-automated filling and dispensing line, will accompany the move.
Adomast’s expansion will enable the company to increase production, extend the range of products it offers existing customers; and launch a new line of products aimed at new buyers in the trade and DIY market.
The move follows a year of growth for Adomast which saw sales increase by 45 per cent to £1.25 million in 2015.
Managing director Denise Wolstenholme, who took up her post in 2012, said: “Now is the perfect time to invest in growth at Adomast. The company has an established reputation as a supplier to the construction industry and we made a huge effort to develop our relationships with UK customers and distributors in order to achieve our increase in sales last year.
“We were delighted with this fantastic growth in our core business, but didn’t want to stop there, hence our decision to explore a whole new market for our products in 2016.”
Adomast launches its new product range aimed at homeowners, gardeners, car and boat enthusiasts this month. The Profinish range, including products such as patio cleaning fluid, wood filler and bodywork treatments, will be sold via builders’ merchants, DIY and specialist stores like Wicks, Halfords and B&Q – and through the company’s new e-commerce website.
Denise said: “Traditionally all our products have been sold to customers in giant 200 litre drums, but we realised that, packaged and presented on a smaller scale, we could supply a different market and create a new income stream for the business.
“In our new home we’ll have the capacity to manufacture more product and hope our new venture will quickly generate even more demand in our new market. We hope for an additional £1 million worth of sales through this initiative within 12 months.”
Adomast has been helped to develop this new side of the business through the Click e-commerce accelerator programme, which is funded by Enterprising Barnsley, a business support programme delivered by Barnsley Council.
Adomast’s workforce has also grown from seven to 11 in the last year too and it plans to create three new jobs in 2016. Denise is currently talking to Barnsley College about taking on a second apprentice, in business administration, and is advertising for a new sales representative.
Enterprising Barnsley business development manager Paul Tinsley said: “It’s great to see Adomast not only growing their core business but also seizing the initiative and developing their products for a completely new market. Their ambition is leading to real growth and new jobs in the Barnsley economy, and we wish them every success in their new premises on Carlton Industrial Estate.”
Adomast’s specialist products for the construction industry include mould oils, sealants, adhesives and concrete curing agents.
Enterprising Barnsley offers a wide range of business support to small and medium-sized businesses with growth potential. On the Click e-commerce programme, participants are taught how to research the market, create a website, protect intellectual property and trade online; plus develop a brand and get business basics in place, including logistics, sales, marketing, social media and finances.