SIG Distribution – the distribution division of FTSE-listed construction supplies firm SIG plc – formally opened its new £2 million Tyneside ‘supercentre’ at a glittering ceremony.
L to R: Paul Gordon, Managing Director SIG Distribution, Ian Mearns MP for Gateshead, Cllr Jack Graham MBE, Mayor for Gateshead and Stuart Mitchell, Group Chief Executive, SIG plc celebrate the formal opening of SIG Distribution’s new Tyneside ‘supercentre’.
Gateshead’s MP Ian Mearns and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Gateshead were among the dignitaries celebrating the opening of the new branch in Dunston, Gateshead, alongside SIG plc Group Chief Executive Stuart Mitchell and SIG Distribution Managing Director Paul Gordon.
The branch is the first in the UK to bring together on one site all five of the company’s constituent businesses – SIG Insulation, SIG Technical Insulation, SIG Interiors, SIG Fixings and SIG Construction Accessories.
Stuart Mitchell, Group Chief Executive, SIG plc, said: “The launch of the Tyneside ‘supercentre’ in Dunston marks a major milestone for SIG Distribution. As well as making SIG Distribution’s business operation more streamlined and efficient, we believe this new branch will add value to our customers businesses. By working with us more efficiently, we will help them to ensure their businesses are ‘fit for the future’ and well positioned to take advantage of the growing upturn in the construction sector.
“It will also play a central role in supporting the roll out of SIG’s business strategy for the future by helping us secure new customers.”
The first SIG delivery enters the new supercentre at Gateshead
SIG Distribution has invested over £2 million in work to regenerate the derelict site, which was the distribution centre for the former Newcastle Federation Breweries. Now open for business, the ‘Tyneside Supercentre’ currently employs around 70 people and will service the needs of SIG’s 1,500 construction customers in the North East.
In his speech as Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony, Ian Mearns, Labour MP for Gateshead, said: “The Government needs to see that the way to economic growth and future prosperity is directly linked to the strength of our construction sector.
“That’s why developments such as this are so important. SIG has shown its faith in the future of the region’s construction sector, and that is enormously significant. I want to thank SIG for the confidence that they have demonstrated in Gateshead, and wish the company every success in the future.”
Paul Gordon, Managing Director, SIG Distribution, added: “I’m extremely proud that with our investment we have been able to reinvigorate this previously derelict industrial complex and bring it back into use as our brand new distribution centre.
“As a business we have 1,500 plus customers located here in the North East. Indeed we see the region as offering a real opportunity for further growth. The investment we have made in this fantastic new site will enable us to realise that ambition by helping us build and maintain productive working relationships with existing and new customers across the North East, in the months and years to come.”
SIG’s new Gateshead supercentre
SIG Distribution is moving away from the model of having multiple, small trade counters specific to individual SIG businesses, instead SIG is looking at centralising them in larger distribution hubs which will serve customers across each of SIG Distribution’s businesses.
SIG, which has 680 trading sites in 15 countries and first half 2013 turnover of £1.27bn. SIG Distribution is the distribution arm of SIG plc, incorporating five separate businesses: SIG Insulation, SIG Technical Insulation, SIG Interiors, SIG Fixings and SIG Construction Accessories.
