A two year building project has resulted in the opening of the new Haverhill manufacturing and training facility for Bernhard and Company.

This major project was conceived and driven by chairman, Stephen Bernhard and he is thrilled with the results: “We started our business way back in the early 1800s and it’s grown year on year, in the same group of ancient Victorian buildings in the town. We really had to expand the manufacturing space, and up-grade the facilities.  The training and education side of our business is growing all the time, so we needed a dedicated area for that as well as a demonstration area for user and staff training.

“This extensive new building is great to work in, is super efficient, and offers us marvellous training and demonstration areas with dedicated R & D capabilities and plenty of office, admin and meeting space.

“This move is a massive step for a small British company to make in the global turf industry and our commitment to the business and to the industry is clearly demonstrated by such a huge investment.”

“The building was designed to a very high spec.,” Manufacturing Manager, Shaun McCarthy said.  “It is efficient and eco friendly and is light and airy to work in.  It was important for us to have flexible space, and the design can be adapted from a cellular structure into a linear very easily.  This will allow us to adapt to the changing needs of the market, if need be – but we also wanted to incorporate something of our heritage, so the reception area reflects a hint of the old Victorian sheds.  The effect works well.

The formal opening was jointly performed by well-known and highly respected golf industry figures, Pat Finlen from the Olympic Club in San Francisco and Peter Todd, Director of Golf Operations at the London Club, and a previous Chairman of BIGGA.

Stephen concluded: “Our machines lead the world in mower sharpening globally. We now look forward to working out of this impressive home. Despite all the economic challenges that we face as an industry, we moved into this building with confidence in the market and we are determined to grow the business in these challenging times. “