30 new jobs to be created as luxury horsebox manufacturer invests £2.8m in Barnsley move

Equi-Trek, the luxury horsebox manufacturer with royal clients, is set to create 30 new jobs by relocating to Barnsley.

The family-run company, which exports its equine transportation around the globe, has invested £2.8m in acquiring, clearing and building on the former Fox Wire building near Stocksbridge.

Equi-Trek is in the process of closing its five rented locations across Meltham and Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire, and will begin operating at its new 186,000 sq ft base from January.

The new site, which is a quarter of a mile long, will provide an additional 50,000 sq ft of space and will house a showroom at the front, with building and manufacturing facilities behind it.

The majority of the existing 130-strong workforce will also move, and interviews are currently taking place for jobs in coach building and administration.

Established in 1999, Equi-Trek is now the largest producer of horseboxes and trailers in the UK and the largest exporter of vehicles to Europe.

The business has clients in Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, and after securing a commercial relationship with Ford USA, it is about to begin exporting vehicles to America.

Equi-Trek is also the supplier to the Queen’s estates and the GB equestrian team, and in 2012 the business began using its horsebox expertise to manufacture motor homes under the name of Moto-Trek.

Tom Janion, managing director of Equi-Trek, said: “Moving five sites under one roof is no easy task but this feels like the start of a new era for the company, especially now we are starting to supply to America, which could be a huge market for us.”

The company’s relocation has been supported by Enterprising Barnsley, which helped secure a £283k grant to back the move from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Cllr Roy Miller, cabinet spokesperson for Barnsley Council and member of the Leeds City Region Business Growth Fund panel, said: “Inward investment is vital to the economic development of Barnsley and we’re delighted to see such a successful company move into the borough.

“As well as creating jobs, Equi-Trek have some really exciting plans for the future and we’re looking forward to supporting their growth.”