Siddall and Hilton to splash £9 million to redevelop site

Siddall and Hilton Products, which employs 60 people in the town, has been granted planning permission to begin work on phase one of the three-year project which will see the creation of new amenities for staff.

A CGI of the new site (Image: Google)

The business, which dates back to 1895, has a number of manufacturing, storage and office buildings on both sides of Foundry Street, some of which are over 150 years old and are no longer fit for purpose.

Initial works will provide new facilities including showers, locker rooms and a canteen for employees, with a briefing room and a training space above. This will be followed by several major demolition and construction phases.

Ian Thurley is the chief executive of Siddall and Hilton Products (Image: Google)

The first phase represents a £4 million investment by Siddall and Hilton Products and will see the demolition of a number of the older buildings, to be replaced by a new portal-framed building, HGV service yard and factory extension, with work due to start on the site in 2023.

Later phases will include the extensive refurbishment of the old Tower Works site and the conversion of one of the sheds to provide permanent office accommodation.

Once this has been completed, the company plans to remove the portakabins, which office-based staff will temporarily work in, and build two warehousing units adjacent to Birds Royd Lane.

Another CGI of the site (Image: Google)

Ian Thurley, chief executive, said: “Since the MBO three years ago, the business has gone from strength to strength.

"We have already embarked on a major investment programme, from commissioning a new state-of-the-art £2m welding machine last year, replacing a roof and refurbishing existing machines to expanding the team and implementing ongoing training programmes to upskill colleagues.

“This significant investment in redeveloping the entire site will bring all our facilities up to the latest standards as we continue to compete on the world stage.

In 2021-22, the business achieved a turnover of £25.3m (Image: Google)

"Not only will it see us expanding our operational site capacity, but also improving process flow and future-proofing the buildings as well as creating a better working environment.

"One of our key strengths is our skilled workforce in Brighouse and the scale of this project is a further demonstration of our commitment to our people and continuing to invest in the town.”

With a 127-year history, Siddall and Hilton Products has become the UK’s largest manufacturer of welded steel mesh for high-security fencing, general fencing and industrial mesh panels.