Kärcher UK intends to relocate its Banbury headquarters from the present site on Beaumont Road to a purpose-built facility adjacent to Junction 11 of the M40. Construction is scheduled to begin early this year with the move to commence from December 2015.
Occupying a 6.5 acre site in Banbury, the proposed three storey building almost doubles the size of the current premises and will feature modern offices, warehouse space, training and customer facilities to accommodate the growing business. Since Kärcher first came to Banbury in 1978 with an original team of eight, the company has grown to employ almost 300 people and its product range now encompasses 380 machines across 13 product lines.
Simon Keeping, managing director of Kärcher UK, said: "While Kärcher is renowned for our commercial and domestic pressure washers, other products are increasingly coming to the fore - among them our window vacs, steam cleaners and professional floor care solutions. These are exciting times and this opportunity, afforded by the company's expansion, is testament to the quality inherent in Kärcher - not only of our products but of our team and its ethos too. In order to maintain continuity amidst our growth and retain key Kärcher knowhow, remaining near to our Banbury roots was crucial. Indeed, the new site is only one mile from the old, albeit the environment will be very different.”
The relocation includes plans for the expansion of the Kärcher Academy, a training facility for customers, distributors and employees. Tripling the size of the Academy will enable the further development of its training portfolio and allow more staff and customers to experience its unique blend of theory and practical learning delivered by a team of onsite experts.
The development is also to include Banbury's first Kärcher Center - a one-stop-shop for both domestic and commercial customers, offering sales, service and advice for the entire Kärcher range. Kärcher Center Banbury will be the latest in a national network of 17 existing centres, and the UK's third Kärcher owned, Kärcher operated centre following on from Kärcher Center Bristol, which opened earlier this year, and Kärcher Center Nottingham, which will hold its grand opening early in 2015. Kärcher worldwide aims to have 1000 Kärcher Centers operational across the globe by 2020.
The company intends for the Banbury Academy and Kärcher Center to help better acquaint the town and surrounding area with the full scope of its offering. 2015 will be an important year for Kärcher as, along with the new building, it also celebrates its 80 year anniversary. This major milestone for the German based family firm will be marked with a series of special events and promotions, both in the UK and internationally.
www.karcher.co.uk