Yorkshire construction company, Harris CM, is due to start work in February on a £1.8 million design and build project to create a major new 1,870m² factory and office building at Dorehouse Business Park in Sheffield for Fernite, a manufacturer of bespoke and highly specialised products.

Fernite is investing significantly in both its workforce and the very latest technology to grow its blade development service, to suit customers’ specific requirements across a wide range of industries including food, print, paper, packaging and plastics.

The company, which was established in 1832, is currently based at Coleford Road in Sheffield, and will relocate to the new site later this year.

James Kitching, managing director of Fernite, said: “This project is a key part of Fernite’s drive to be the best machine knife manufacturer in the world.

“Our ‘state of the art’ new factory will allow us to expand our high-tech manufacturing capability, provide an outstanding environment for our highly skilled workforce and support our pledge to be our customers’ favourite supplier.”

CEO at Harris CM CEO Jason Adlam said: “This is a great project to be involved with, which further demonstrates the importance of Sheffield’s heritage in the precision blade manufacturing industry.

“Furthermore, this scheme provides a plenty of opportunities for both our own workforce and our supply chain, with a significant proportion of both being based in the South Yorkshire area.

“Once complete, this development will be an impressive addition to the extensive portfolio of successful manufacturing facilities that we have constructed throughout the region.”