EGGER Barony is holding two exhibition events regarding an extension to its plant in Auchinleck to form an additional three lamination lines, a warehouse/storage facility and an external log store. The events schedule is as follows:
When:
- Wednesday 3 May 2023, 3pm - 7pm
- Wednesday 17 May 2023, 3pm - 7pm
Where:
EGGER Barony, Barony Rd, Auchinleck, Cumnock KA18 2LL, UK
Information about the proposal will be on display at both events and members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback. We are committed to our Barony plant, and value our ongoing discussions with local residents.
We would encourage those who wish to attend to register their interest with us by contacting Kirsty O’Brien on 0141 212 7123 or kirsty.obrien@invictapa.co.uk .
EGGER in the UK:
EGGER is an international manufacturer of wood-based materials. Headquartered in Austria, the family owned business has 21 plants and 24 sales offices across the world.
In the UK, we produce approximately 1.2 million m³ of chipboard at our two production sites located in Barony, East Ayrshire and Hexham, Northumberland. We employ over 800 people across two sites, and since 2006, we have invested over £250 million into our UK operations.
We produce raw chipboard, Eurodekor faced chipboard, and structural flooring in the UK for the furniture, interior design, and housebuilding markets. We also supply the UK market with worktops, laminates, edging, OSB and decorative flooring.
We operate a business-to-business model and supply some of the biggest brands in the UK, including Howdens, Wren, Sharps, Homebase, and Jewson. We also have nine nationwide distributors who distribute our products to retailers, furniture manufacturers, joiners, and builders.
Over the last 25 years, we have continued to invest in our Barony site. This has included an £8 million wood recycling plant, a £4 million biomass energy plant to reduce CO2 emissions and gas consumption, and upgrading our engineering building to include a purpose built apprentice training facility.
EGGER is one of three principal wood manufacturers in the UK, and alongside Norboard and Kronospan, we are members of the Wood Panel Industry Federation (WPIF). The three companies operate across six sites across England, Scotland, and Wales, employ over 7,500 people, and have a combined gross value added (GVA) of £850 million per year.
EGGER in the community:
We are committed to developing our Barony plant and the area it operates within. Our team values ongoing discussion with the local community, and we have a strong and positive relationship with our neighbours. It is clear that everyone shares our wish to see Barony and the local area thrive.
We are grateful to the local community for their continued support of our growth and ambitions, and to East Ayrshire Council for granting permission to support our development plans in the past.
Our Barony plant has been operating since 1998, and we are now the largest private employer in East Ayrshire, with more than 140 skilled employees. Thanks to significant investment from the wider EGGER Group we have been able to grow our workforce by 60% over the last 25 years.
Our market leading apprenticeship programme offers the opportunity to develop new skills in a mechanical, electrical, or production role, while working towards a Level 3 Scottish Vocational Qualification. In the last year, we have recruited nine apprentices at Barony, (mechanical, electrical, production and H&S).
Planning proposal:
Our proposed investment is the extension of the existing plant with the addition of a building to house a state of the art lamination line so raw chipboard produced at the site can be upgraded to Eurodekor Faced Chipboard, a process currently undertaken at Hexham.
This is part of our long-term vision for the Barony plant, and if successful, the £50 million investment project will secure the continued growth of the plant and the local economy through the delivery of additional skilled jobs.
The additional building will be located on the left hand side as you approach the plant from the road. It will have the capacity to house up to three lamination lines in the future as well as provide additional warehouse and storage space. In order to accommodate the building, the existing log yard will be relocated to the back of the site.
Pre-application comments and queries can be posted to the project team by way of a feedback form on the day of the event; posted to 87 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 2AW, or by phone to 0141 212 7123 for a further 30 days from the last event until 16 June 2023. Statements made to the project team are not formal planning representations. If a planning application is subsequently submitted, then there will be an opportunity to make a direct representation to East Ayrshire Council.
Please click here to view the public consultation board that will be on display.
Next steps:
March 2023
Community Liaison Forum
May 2023
Public Exhibition
June 2023
Public Exhibition
June/July 2023
Application Submission
Autumn 2023
Break ground
We propose to submit an application from June 2023 onward and hope to break ground in September 2023. More information can be obtained or any questions answered by calling our community hotline on 0141 2127123 or email catherine.wales@invictapa.co.uk .