Metelec, a specialist copper stockholder and manufacturer, has relocated its operations from Bloxwich to a ‘state of the art’ 47,973ft² office and distribution centre based on the Hilton Cross Business Park in Wolverhampton.

Managing director Kevin Draper said the move represented a significant moment in the company’s 22-year history and will enable it to expand and grow further. He said: “We are delighted to have completed the move to this incredible new facility. Furthermore, the Metelec team has done an amazing job to keep the business trading at normal levels during the two-week relocation period. We have been growing steadily for a number of years but this is a game-changer for us as it future-proofs the business and allows us to push forward with our expansion plans.”

The building has an impressive multi-functional open space that can be utilised for both employee and customer events and is close to the M54 motorway. Its central location enables deliveries across the UK logistically much easier, and the site also has dock levelling facilities, allowing Metelec to accept containerised supplies for the first time, producing significant cost savings and lead-time reductions.

With an EPC A-rating, the new building has impressive credentials when it comes to environmental sustainability and has electric vehicle (EV) charging points for both employees and visitors with infrastructure in place to eventually increase the number of charging points to 40.

Huge energy savings
Mr Draper continued: “We have invested a significant amount to make this a premier place to work. Our employees are proud to work here and you can see a real difference in their overall happiness. From an environmental point of view, this building also delivers huge energy savings and we are planning to introduce an integrated renewable energy management system, which we simply couldn’t have done at our old Bloxwich base.

“We are now looking at installing integrated PV panels on the roof, battery storage, as well as truck charging points. We are way ahead of our competitors in terms of sustainability and comfortably have the lowest copper carbon footprint. Furthermore, the proximity to the M54 motorway is a massive advantage and being able to send and receive containers for the first time will result in huge cost savings.”

Further investment is planned with research underway to determine what machinery will be needed for future manufacturing. Metelec is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading specialist manufacturers of busbars and a distributor of copper bar, copper profiles and copper components. It is the UK logistics arm of Gindre Duchavany, the largest manufacturer of copper extruded bars in Europe.

The company which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022, turns over more than £30 million per annum and is a trusted supply chain partner to a growing number of switchgear specialists.