Thermal and acoustic insulation materials manufacturer Armacell has received planning permission for a new extension development to increase floor space and production capacity at its UK factory located on Mars Street, Oldham.

The development forms part of a multi-million pound programme of improvements currently underway at the plant. Oldham resident Tom McCreight is plant manager at the site and has worked there for 30 years. He said: “This is an extremely exciting development and investment in the future of manufacturing for Armacell in the UK. The extension will deliver a much needed increase in capacity and also significantly improve our logistics and despatch operations. This will ultimately help us to better meet the current and anticipated demands of our distribution partners.”

The planned single storey extension building will house new state-of-the-art equipment for its Armaflex pipe insulation product range and creates additional space for optimisation of logistics operations. To this end, a large covered loading bay area and a one way system layout are being created to improve site access and allow for lorries to enter and exit the plant without any reversing required. The development will also provide additional waiting bays and space to reduce the impact of noise and disruption to surrounding residential properties, with delivery vehicles having easier and faster access to the despatch area in future. Acoustic barrier fencing will be introduced, with trees and shrubs planted and existing foliage preserved around the perimeter of the site to help further alleviate noise and screen the buildings. The new single storey extension building has also been designed using similar materials to those used for the existing buildings to further minimise the visual impact.

Armacell UK has been manufacturing at the current Mars Street site since 1964. Today the site employs approximately 100 staff in production and logistics, sales and marketing, technical support, HR and accounts functions. The site is one of the principle factories within Armacell worldwide for producing the Armaflex, Tubolit and ArmaSound ranges of thermal and acoustic insulation. Key applications include thermal and acoustic insulation of pipes, ducts and related mechanical services equipment in commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

Armacell UK Ltd 0161 287 7015 www.armacell.com/uk