£200m-turnover workwear manufacturer unveils South Yorkshire expansion plans

Portwest, the workwear manufacturer, has announced plans to build a second warehouse in South Yorkshire and expand into more countries.

Portwest, which employs 200 people at its headquarters at Thurnscoe, near Barnsley, supplies more than 120 countries and has a turnover of around £200m.

The company, which is celebrating 30 years in the region, has been backed by Enterprising Barnsley to help carry out these expansion plans.

Portwest supplies workwear ranging from chefs’ aprons and welders’ gloves to high-visibility jackets and over-trousers. Most of the garments are manufactured in the Far East, with special orders made at the Thurnscoe site, which also acts as the distribution centre for most of Europe.

The company, which was started in Ireland in 1904 by Charles Hughes, now has a catalogue which is translated into 26 languages. Portwest also has warehouses in Ireland, Poland, Dubai and New Zealand, and has recently moved into Australia and Panama.

Richard Jones, Portwest global sales director, commented: “The transformation since the move in to South Yorkshire 30 years ago has been enormous.

“And we are confident the next 30 years will be amazing too. But we couldn’t have done it without the fantastic staff here in Barnsley.”

The company first opened a warehouse in Barnsley in 1988, which was based in Goldthorpe. In 2006, Portwest moved to a purpose-built 15,000 sqm facility at Fields End Business Park in Thurnscoe.

The company is now considering building on spare land at the site, with a view to a second purpose-built warehouse and dozens more jobs.

Portwest has been supported by Enterprising Barnsley, the economic development arm of Barnsley Council, since just before the move to Thurnscoe.

Richard said: “Enterprising Barnsley have been a great resource for us over the years. They are there in the background to turn to when we need them and are always the first people we go to for advice.”

Judy Sidebottom, of Enterprising Barnsley, added: “Portwest really are one of the success stories of Barnsley. They have grown from a few staff at Goldthorpe to being a major employer in the borough.

“The support we have been able to offer the company just shows how the public sector, really can help the private sector to create new jobs and boost the local economy.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →