Global machinery giant invests £20m in Burnley move

Stolle Machinery has been announced as the first tenant of Burnley’s Frontier Park.

The USA-based company, which provides machinery for the canning industry, has taken on 158,000 sq ft at the new development.

Stolle will invest a £20m into the lease and fitting out the space to accommodate its operations. It intends to bring 200 jobs, including 27 apprentices, to the site.

Richard Mercer, the company's managing director, said: "We’re delighted to be consolidating our operations into this impressive facility at Frontier Park, which is exactly what we’ve been looking for. Many of our employees are based in Burnley and surrounding areas so it was vital we stayed close to our current home in Altham. Frontier Park is ideally located just off the M65, so it made perfect sense.

“We’ve been impressed with how proactive Burnley Council has been with working with us to ensure an efficient transition and can see how the business community here is thriving. Stolle are excited to continue this partnership, backed by our significant investment into the borough.”

Lukman Patel, chief executive of Burnley Council, added: “It’s fantastic news that such an impressive global brand has chosen Burnley to have such a significant strategic base, with Burnley joining locations such as Colorado and Sau Paulo. 

“To make such a large investment into the borough and to bring over 200 jobs clearly shows their commitment and how they recognise Burnley as a manufacturing and engineering force to be reckoned with.”

Stolle was advised by the commercial property department of Burnley-based Donald Race & Newton Solicitors.