James Latham plc has purchased a site in Purfleet for £2.3m as part of its strategic relocation plan (TTJ July 7).
Latham’s Clapton hardwood and softwood departments, headed up by sales director John May, will move to the 2.8-acre site in late spring 2002.
In the meantime, Latham is building a 30,000ft² racked warehouse in addition to the 50,000ft² warehouse space already at the new site. It will also refurbish the existing office block.
Peter Latham, a director of the company, said: ‘Although the site is smaller than the current space occupied at Clapton, the use of the racked warehousing and Combi trucks will reduce handling and allow us to provide an even better service to all our customers across the south-east of England.
‘We are very encouraged by the numbers of staff who have indicated that they will be moving with us.’
The company is looking to move its Clapton panel products division to a further site in East London, yet to be finalised. The Clapton site is considered too big, with poor layout and road links.
Latham opened new depots in Hemel Hempstead and Dudley during July, and also moved its head office to Hemel Hempstead.
