Long-standing Huddersfield businesses John L Brierley Limited and Paxman Coolers Limited are to take a major step forward in a collaborative partnership project to develop an advanced manufacturing facility in central Huddersfield.
Located in the heart of England’s third HealthTech and Digital Investment Zone, and alongside the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus, the new development will rejuvenate the JL Brierley Turnbridge Mills site on Quay Street.
Paxman has been exploring sites for relocation for some years due to the lack of expansion space at their Fenay Bridge manufacturing premises, whilst JL Brierley has long sought a way of rejuvenating the site following the significant reduction of their textile business over 20 years ago. This investment will not only provide the fit-for-purpose building Paxman needs to increase manufacturing output but also help to preserve the historic significance of the broader site. The custom-built 27,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will incorporate a health innovation research & digital manufacturing facility, bespoke cryotherapy research labs, engineering R&D space, and office facilities for Paxman’s cryotherapy solutions for managing the side effects of chemotherapy.
“This project represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Huddersfield’s economy,” remarked Ian Brierley, Managing Director of JL Brierley, “By partnering with Paxman, not only are we investing in the future of our businesses but also in the vitality of our community and town.”
The ambitious development aims to cement Huddersfield’s position as a key player in the region’s MedTech ecosystem, whilst aligning with the strategic objectives outlined in the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor and the West Yorkshire Investment Zone.
“As home-grown Huddersfield businesses, we want to stay and grow within the town and bring the wider benefits to the local economy. From an innovation perspective, Paxman is economically embedded in the region via the HealthTech Strategy for West Yorkshire. The fact that we are surrounded by some of the best higher education institutions in the north means we have outstanding opportunities for research and development, business growth, skills development, and job creation. We are more committed than ever before to increasing our presence and investment locally.” said Richard Paxman, CEO. “Our investment into this exciting new state-of-the-art facility will not only support the growth of our organisation, in addition to supporting the commercialisation of our latest medical device but bring wider benefits to our region’s economy.”
Paxman takes pride in employing regional talent from Huddersfield and within the West Yorkshire region which encompasses the local authority districts of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. The region’s strengths in manufacturing and research foster the wider West Yorkshire healthcare innovation agenda, thereby bringing benefits to supply chain growth and inward investment.
With sustainable development and a commitment to conserving the heritage of the site at its heart, the development project aims to minimize its environmental impact, while preserving the historic significance of the broader site, including Grade II listed buildings, which JL Brierley will continue to occupy.