Caravan firm on the move

16/12/2009

AN EAST Hull caravan manufacturer is looking to double its production to meet demand from Europe, less than a year after setting up.

Europa Caravans was set up on the Chamberlain Business Park in March, but is now moving to Wyke Works, in Hedon Road, to extend its production lines.

The company currently makes between five and ten holiday homes per week at its 12,000sqft premises in Chamberlain Road, but is looking to double that at its new 46,000sqft base.

It is also introducing new lines, too.

According to director Graham Oades, the company is seeing a significant increase in demand across both its export and home markets.

He said: “The markets in Holland and Belgium are massive. They spend more on their caravans and take more care of them than most people here and they visit them religiously every weekend.”

But he added UK orders have started to take off as well.

“We have made about 20 vans for the UK market, but it is coming to the end of the season,” Mr Oades said.

“We will be doing more in the new season.”

The firm is currently moving its plant and equipment over to the new site and will be starting production there from January 4.

The move will create new jobs, Mr Oades said, although how many is not yet known.

Don Oades, director and uncle of fellow director Graham, said the reason for the company’s success was producing high-quality caravans at competitive prices.

He said: “ I personally check every van that goes out. The quality is always very high.

“We’ve had great support from our suppliers and we are confident next year will go well.”

The Hedon Road site is owned by the Wykeland Group which worked alongside Hull City Council to secure the letting.

Dominic Gibbons, director of the Wkeland Group, said: “Wyleland and Hull City Council are extremely pleased we have been able to help Europa Caravans achieve the next step in the impressive growth of their business.

“The success of Wyke Works is proof the private and public sectors can work together for the benefit of the local economy.

The deal on the factory was arranged by Beverley Road property agent Garness Jones.

It is the second time the company has secured premises for Europa Caravans.

Don described Garness Jones as “spot on” and said they were very easy to deal with.

Dale Gooderham, surveyor with the practice, said it was good to see a Hull company grow at such a rapid rate.

He said: “We were really happy to have helped Europa find accomodation when they started out less than a year ago and really pleased they once again contacted us when they needed to expand.”

 Links

Garness Jones

www.garnessjones.co.uk

Europa Caravan

www.europacaravans.com

Wykland Group

www.wykeland.co.uk