Home improvement supplier MB DIY has turned to Wharton Construction for a second time as it invests £2 million in additional warehousing.
Work on the 16,000 sq. feet building, next to the company’s existing warehouse, offices and retail space constructed by Wharton in 2019, is progressing well, with the erection of structural steelwork already underway.
The development will lead to about five jobs being created at Middlesbrough-based MB DIY.
The investment has been triggered by business soaring in the wake of Covid with people, who saved money while being confined to their homes during the pandemic, now investing in their properties.
This is reflected by turnover at MB DIY, in South Bank Road, soaring by 27 percent in its latest financial year.
The warehouse, which is due to be completed early next year, will provide additional storage for the company as well as three retail trade counter units of 200 sq. metres each, which will be leased to companies related to the home improvement sector.
MB DIY also plans to transfer its transport office to the new building, which will free up space for additional storage in the three-year-old adjacent premises.
Mike Greenup, managing director at family-run business MB DIY, said: “There is a lot of pent-up demand as people, who were unable to go on their usual holidays and trips abroad during the Covid pandemic, are spending the money they saved.
“We are finding some householders are improving rather than moving and those that are moving are then improving.
“Even now, some people still are reluctant to fly overseas for a break because of the current risk of flight cancellations and hours-long airport queues. Instead, they are diverting cash earmarked for holidays to home improvements or renovations.
“So, it’s a win-win situation all round for us.”
Mr Greenup added that Wharton Construction, of Darlington, was chosen to build a second storage facility for his company due to the quality of its work on the previous warehouse.
Wharton Construction, which specialises in commercial and public sector projects across the North East and North Yorkshire, believes it is ideally placed to take advantage of investment in Darlington and across the Tees Valley.
Matthew Wharton, director of Wharton Construction, said: “We are proud to have secured a second major construction contract from MB DIY to help it meet the growing demand for its services.
“This repeat business is testament to our ability to deliver high quality schemes to a client’s exacting specifications, on time and in budget.
“It also validates our capability to make a significant contribution to improving the region’s business infrastructure and its economic outlook.”
MB DIY has seen its business expand substantially in recent years with its distribution footprint taking in the North East, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and London.