Jobs 'set to flow' in water tech firm's park switch

A water technology firm has pledged to create jobs in an industrial site move.

Eliquo Hydrok is switching to Barnsley’s Kestrel Park.

The company says the 16,695sq ft hub will bolster local staff numbers by nearly half and increase the business’ national workforce to 240 over the coming nine months. 

Bosses add the unit – which is set to supersede a Wombwell base on Barnsley’s outskirts – will double production as the business seeks to service “a burgeoning order book”.

Headquartered in Cornwall, the company is known for providing water and wastewater treatment engineering, project management and maintenance support to operators including Yorkshire Water, United Utilities and Northumbrian Water. 

William Mackveley, sales and business development director, said: “We are seeing huge growth in demand nationwide and needed a larger space.

“We will now be able to manufacture and assemble our products on site, create extra jobs and double our production with this move.

“It also allows us to build on our established workforce in South Yorkshire.

“We will not be passive occupants with this move; we want to inspire young people and others to become involved in the water sector.”

The business’ expansion comes after Podopro UK, Yorkshire Housing and 1st Land Services confirmed moves to Kestrel Park.

The deals – brokered by Knight Frank’s Sheffield office and Smiths Barnsley – will see podiatry product supplier Podopro UK lease a 16,070sq ft space, social housing operator Yorkshire Housing move into a 3415sq ft base and civil engineering and brickwork company 1st Land Services occupy 3,010sq ft.

The seven-unit development was delivered by Carnell Management Services, backed by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, using £3 million South Yorkshire Investment Zone funding with support from Barnsley Council’s Property Investment Fund.

Hazel Sykes, business investment manager at Enterprising Barnsley – the business support arm of Barnsley Council – said: “It’s fantastic to see such strong early take-up at Kestrel Park.

“Welcoming businesses like Eliquo Hydrok, 1st Land Services, Yorkshire Housing and Podopro demonstrates the demand for high-quality, well-located space.”

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