ROCKWOOL Signs Land Deal for New West Midlands Plant

INSULATION MANUFACTURER ROCKWOOL has bought a West Midlands site to build a new manufacturing plant on.

The company announced today it has signed an agreement to buy 114 acres (or 46 hectares) of land at Peddimore, north east of Birmingham. It says it intends to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with proprietary electric melting technology for its stone wool insulation products.

The new facility would boost supply capacity for UK and Republic of Ireland customers, while supporting ROCKWOOL’s global sustainability plans, it says. The investment would also create skilled long-term jobs and local supply chain opportunities. The manufacturer adds that the development will also help in achieving the UK’s net zero targets through ROCKWOOL’s portfolio of non-combustible and recyclable stone wool insulation products.

Community Consultation

The Peddimore site, which is designated specifically for manufacturing use, is included in Birmingham City Council’s Development Plan. It already has outline planning permission for a manufacturing facility. Key infrastructure including a new access road and roundabout into the site is already in place, servicing an adjacent facility built in 2023.

In the coming weeks, ROCKWOOL will begin consulting with the community about its plans. Open house events will allow community members to meet ROCKWOOL leaders and learn about the business and its commitment to delivering social and environmental value. ROCKWOOL will then submit applications to Birmingham City Council to adapt the existing planning permissions to its specific proposal.

Information about the plans will be made available as the proposal develops.

ROCKWOOL Land Deal

Nick Wilson, ROCKWOOL MD

Nick Wilson, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL UK & Ireland, said: “We’re very excited at the opportunity to expand the business into the West Midlands that would enable us to boost our production capacity in the UK and to create quality jobs and business opportunities in the local community. During the past 45 years, we have built a strong foundation at our site in South Wales where we will continue to manufacture and invest for the long-term, and are now looking to build on that success with a second manufacturing plant at the Peddimore site.

“The West Midlands has a skilled, local workforce, a strong manufacturing tradition, and excellent transport links, so it is an ideal location for us to expand our business in the UK and bolster our service to customers in the Midlands and across the north of England and Scotland. We’re looking forward to sharing our plans with the local community and are fully committed to being a good neighbour and partner for the Minworth and wider West Midlands community.”

>> Read more about ROCKWOOL in the news