Production director Doug Bircham said: “The additional capacity at Gamlingay continues our development programme that began in 2003 with the new sawmill at our Great Gransden factory, and will service the increasing demand for our timber frame products from developers, housing associations and self-builders alike.”
Phase one at the eight acre Gamlingay site, which the Potton Group has owned for some time, will provide the company with 9,000ft2 of factory space which will help grow its current panel capacity by 40%.
Mr Bircham said: “The new site provides us with significant scope for further expansion as we have planning permission already granted for 35,000ft2 of additional factory buildings for future increases in capacity.”
The expansion programme follows Potton’s decision to centralise its operations as part of a £500,000 investment.
Fifty office staff were moved from the former Wyboston site to a new office buiding at the Great Gransden factory which recently saw the installation of an additional sawing line.
Sales and marketing director Joe Martoccia said: “Our self-build market is pretty secure and we are growing, but the really dynamic growth in the industry is coming from housing associations and developers who are looking for cost-effective solutions to overcome skills shortages in the south-east of England.
“We have always been a little understated in that market, but there are now opportunities for timber frame housing in Milton Keynes, Stansted and the Thames Gateway.”
