Ridgeons, the timber and builders’ merchant in the East of England is boosting employment in the region at its new central distribution warehouse in Mildenhall.
The 120,000 sq ft site based on Hamstead Avenue, will add up to 18 jobs in the area this year, with a vision to create further vacancies when the distribution warehouse is at full capacity in 2016. The site is currently recruiting drivers, admin and warehouse staff to get the central distribution warehouse up and running as the new centre for holding Ridgeons timber, heating, plumbing and sanitary ware stock.
Ridgeons began migration of plumbing and heating stock to the Mildenhall site in October 2015 in conjunction with the launch of the PlumbStock brand. This was followed by CRS Wholesale, a bathroom and sanitary ware wholesaler and part of the Ridgeon Group, moving its operations from the Cambridge location where it resided for the last 37 years to take advantage of the new space and facilities. A further 15,000 sq ft of the warehouse will be used for Ridgeons Forest Products timber by the end of the year.
Alistair Brace, head of group services at Ridgeons, said: “The new central distribution warehouse is a real milestone for the Ridgeon Group. It will help improve service across the Group and efficiency and stock availability across our merchant branches and new PlumbStock stores. Having one large site also improves our stock holding potential, giving the Ridgeon Group better buying power and wider product range offering, even at our smaller stores.
“We are really pleased to create more jobs in the local area and our plans for expansion will mean more roles become available in 2016.”
Cllr James Waters, leader of Forest Heath District Council, added: “What great news for our local economy and residents and just in time for Christmas. Our West Suffolk economic growth team and myself met with Ridgeons on site earlier this year, and I am delighted that they have recognised the growth potential of investing in Mildenhall. This is 18 new jobs with more to follow next year as the warehouse gets fully up and running. I am sure that Ridgeons will prove to be very successful in the town.”
