Shropshire firm moves to new base in £8m plan

A company which began its life in a small Shropshire village has moved to larger premises as part of an £8 million expansion plan, which is creating 100 jobs.

Heavy plant hire company Hawk Group has sold its site in Loppington, near Wem, to housing developers, and the firm has moved its entire base of operations 12 miles away to a site at Sandford, near Whitchurch.

The move comes just weeks after bosses revealed more than 100 jobs would be created as part of the company's £8 million expansion.

The firm has invested in 60 new hydraulic excavators and 20 forklift truck-like telehandlers.

Bosses say the move will help the firm win more business from international customers.

They also say the new offices provide much needed additional office space for new businesses and expansion within the group.

The majority of the new office will be occupied by safety and training department, which had outgrown the old premises in Loppington.

The new headquarters also includes additional meeting and test rooms.

Mike Hawkins, chairman, said: "Training is fundamental to the future success of the Hawk Group.

"We realise the shortage of skilled people within the UK and we are encouraging young people to come forward for training."

Also based in the offices will be the team from Hawk Cabin Hire which provides offices, canteens, containers and sleeping accommodation to clients throughout the UK and overseas.

Two new ventures are also based at the Sandford site.

The first is Drivers Today, a driver agency established to meet increased demands from customers for plant operators, commercial drivers, electricians, logistics experts, construction trades and professionals.

The other is part of the team from Leica, which the Hawk Group has joined with to promote use of advanced control systems within the construction industry.