After a seven-year search, E.P. Barrus Ltd, distributor of lawn and garden brands in the UK including Cub Cadet, Lawnflite, WOLF-Garten, Wilkinson Sword and Energizer, has found a new site.
Barrus will be relocating to a 16-acre site, enabling the company to consolidate its operations under one roof, and remain in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The site forms part of the commercial space located on the edge of the Graven Hill Development to the south of Bicester, formerly owned by the MoD.
L-R: Keryn Clarke, Director of Operations, E. P. Barrus Ltd, Andrew Feilden, Non-Executive Director, E.P. Barrus Ltd, Robert Muir, Managing Director, E. P. Barrus Ltd, Robert Glen, Chairman, E.P. Barrus Ltd, Karen Curtin, Managing Director, Graven Hill Village Development Company, Councillor Ian Corkin, Councillor Lynn Pratt, Tara Glen, Non-Executive Director, E. P. Barrus Ltd
In addition to the familiar household garden brands, Barrus markets and distributes its products across a wide range of other sectors including marine and industrial.
Barrus originally moved from London to Bicester in 1977, choosing the site for its central location.
“We are delighted to announce our exciting relocation plans in this, our centennial year,” commented Robert Muir, Managing Director, E. P. Barrus Ltd. “Our growth plans have been constrained by the size of our premises here in Launton Road and it has always been our intention to expand if possible our business within the Oxfordshire area.”
As a major employer in the town, Barrus say they have maintained a commitment to recruiting local people and have developed long-term relationships with Oxfordshire schools, colleges and universities offering work experience placements and apprenticeships to young engineering students. Many of these students have taken up a career in engineering and have become long-standing Barrus employees.
“We are looking forward to the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Barrus, and integrating into the new village community within the innovative, Graven Hill Development,” Mr Muir continues. “In addition to securing the future of our existing, loyal workforce, I am confident that we will be creating more job opportunities over the next few years in support of our long-term, strategic business growth. As our centennial strapline states, ‘We are celebrating our first 100-years, gearing up for the next'.”
It is anticipated that Barrus will occupy the new site in 2019 when the Phase 2 land transfer from MoD to Graven Hill is due to complete. Barrus is working with Graven Hill Village Development Company to see if it is possible to secure earlier occupancy.
