Pictured: Front row from Oakland International, Louise Ziolek Planning and Executive Support, David Hoey HR and Purchasing Director, Stuart Mace from Mace Buildings Ltd, Mike Attwell Director of Attwell Farms, Oakland International MD Dean Attwell, Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid, Relationship Director Barclays Corporate Lindsay Pearson, Oakland International Marketing Director Sallie Attwell and Sue Attwell Company Secretary Attwell Farms 

Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid, officially opened multi temperature supply chain specialist Oakland International's new storage facility at Beoley in Redditch on Friday 27th January, completing the company's recent £3 million investment programme supported by Barclays Corporate, with the warehouse being the final stage of the current development.

Oakland International MD, Dean Attwell, commenting on their investment said: "This is a huge step forward for our business and is testimony to the great work of the Oakland team, our customers and our supplier partnerships - without their passion and commitment to Oakland, investment decisions of this magnitude would not be possible. We are delighted Sajid Javid was able to officially open our new facility and for the clear support initiatives that the Government is directing towards business growth in general.

"Oakland is based in Redditch but is also located within Bromsgrove District Council boundary - we are grateful for the support of Bromsgrove District Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce for their support in getting this project off the ground."

Despite the challenging economic climate, the Midlands based firm have continued to drive growth of around 25% year on year. Their new 55,000 sq ft warehouse provides an additional 8,000 pallet spaces and incorporates a deep chill storage chamber to support seasonal requirements, as well as specialist storage for year-round supply chain solutions, extending Oakland the opportunity to accommodate organic growth of existing clients and work with even greater numbers of producers and manufacturers wishing to gain access to the competitive retailer market.

Bromsgrove MP and PPS to the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, Sajid Javid, stated: "I was delighted to open Oakland International's new facility. It's a fantastic growing and confident business, that's creating the local jobs we need."

Investing at a time of economic challenge places Oakland International in a solid position, and when the economy picks up, they will emerge stronger. Installation of green and energy efficient technologies has been key in the development of Oakland International's new warehouse which incorporates energy efficient chillers, high levels of insulation and LED lighting.

Said Dean: "With Barclays Corporate backing for the project, which was a measure of their confidence in our ability to perform, the new warehouse has extended our capabilities, and allowed us to retain and improve our competitive offer, whilst supporting planned growth. Increased capacity in the UK will directly influence and benefit the company's Irish export and trade operations, with exports increasing between the two countries, Ireland to the UK and vice versa."

Lindsay Pearson, Relationship Director, Barclays Corporate stated: "Barclays is committed to using our industry expertise and specialists to support such propositions, which bring real benefits to the local community. By really understanding the business, Barclays Corporate has been able to support Oakland International both financially and professionally throughout this latest expansion."

Oakland International's development extends to its people, with steady recruitment and the opening of the Oakland Training Academy in 2011, the firm is planning on creating an additional 50 jobs in 2012 as it heads towards doubling its workforce by 2014. Oakland is always looking to recruit new people to service new business and to fill the positions of promoted employees who have moved on through the company and who are now covering additional business need and customer demand. Increasingly popular with producers, Oakland delivers significant supply chain savings as well as real reductions in food road miles travelled.