Philbins Offices, Wigan
Working In The Borough - Case Studies - H J Heinz Ltd
H J Heinz Ltd is one of the most famous brand in the world and whether you are eating baked beans, soups or pasta, they have probably been made in Wigan. The company established its Wigan manufacturing base in 1959 and it has played a vital role in the local economy ever since. Today, Europe’s largest food manufacturing plant can be found at Kitt Green, Wigan where 1,500 people are employed working on seventeen manufacturing lines, producing 300 product varieties.
The need for a new national distribution centre came from the continued success and growth of the company, combined with changes in the grocery retailing industry. The company has made substantial further investment in the Borough with their national distribution centre, which opened in 2001. The location of the new distribution centre was vital.
The ideal site turned out to be Martland Park, Wigan, which was very close to their exisiting site. The decision to locate the distribution centre here was seen as a sign of the company’s continuing investment and commitment to the area. The proximity of Martland Park to the national motorway network and the valuable support from the local authority and other decision makers were significant factors as was the availability of a local skilled workforce.
The national distribution centre occupies 38 acres of land and utilises the latest materials handling technology to handle 83 million cases of food each year. The centre operates on a 24 hour, seven day a week basis, employing a further 260 people.