US company, CR Laurence confirms new European HQ at Kingsway Business Park

Los Angeles based company CR Laurence has announced it is set to expand its Europe operation with a new headquarters at Rochdale’s Kingsway Business Park.

The organisation, which is a leading supplier to the glazing, stone and architectural industries, has signed contracts for a brand new office and warehousing unit totalling 71,000 sq ft.

Earlier this year CR Laurence acquired Rochdale based Ebor, a successful business that had grown in the borough for 30 years, with the aim of establishing a European headquarters. Former Ebor partner Simon Boocock is now Managing Director of C.R. Laurence’s Europe operation which also includes a major base in Stuttgart, Germany.

The new premises will have a bespoke design and will allow the company to grow. Around a dozen new jobs will be created in the first year, ranging from warehousing to technical sales with the capacity to take on many more people as the business expands within the European market. The former Ebor premises at Gorrells Way in Rochdale, which currently employs 55 people, will also be retained with the majority of staff relocating to Kingsway when construction of the premises completes next summer.

Simon Boocock said, “It is an exciting time for C.R. Laurence with these major expansion plans. We chose Kingsway Business Park because it is a prestigious development set within a pleasant environment, which will continue to grow and develop. The location was crucial; it has excellent motorway access and is also close to our existing UK offices, which is great for our employees and visiting customers.”

The latest deal for Kingsway Business Park seals its international appeal with Japanese based Takeuchi already operating there along with Vindon Scientific which recently announced plans for further expansion across Europe.

Robert Grafton, Development Director of developer Wilson Bowden Developments said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome C.R. Laurence to Kingsway Business Park. The organisation, which operates in the US, Canada Australia and Germany, has chosen Kingsway as its new European headquarters, confirming the quality offer here.”

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, announced the deal today, saying, “This is fantastic news for Rochdale and will mean new local jobs. The Kingsway Partnership will support residents with training and up-skilling so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that will be created. It’s excellent to see a growing international business choosing to set up its European headquarters in Rochdale, safeguarding jobs as well as creating new positions.”

Damien Bourke, Policy and Partnership Manager at the NWDA, said,
“It is excellent to see jobs being created and safeguarded for local people, and to see that companies are recognizing the benefits of basing themselves in Kingsway. This will further raise private sector confidence in Kingsway Business Park, which is key to driving forward the local economy in Rochdale and Greater Manchester.”