Garnalex reveals plans for the future as planning permission granted

Garnalex, currently based in Nether Heage, Derbyshire, has secured planning permission for a purpose-built development near junction 27 of the M1. The facility will enable the company to prioritise sustainable growth, increase jobs, and improve transport links.

As well as moving all current employees, the project will create new jobs and long-term employment opportunities for the area. Work is due to commence in the spring and will take between 18 months to two years to complete.

The development has been split into two phases. The first phase will see a new manufacturing site being built to cater for the existing Sheerline business, enabling the company to continue its everyday operations without disruption to service.

Phase two of the development allows for future expansion of the site, helping to keep jobs in the Ashfield district long-term. The fact that this additional expansion was applied for at the same time as phase one reflects the company’s ambitious yet sustainable growth plans.

Aside from ensuring the building is as green and sustainable as possible, it will be built with a façade that blends in with its natural surroundings, and there will be wildlife corridors and tree planting to mitigate the impact of the development.

As well as environmental considerations, care is also being taken to support the road network around the site to ensure easy access to the M1 while keeping lorries out of residential areas. A sustainable cycleway/footway will be built alongside the development as part of phase two.

After successfully launching two fenestration businesses in Derbyshire, Roger Hartshorn founded Garnalex in 2018 as a solution to the UK’s reliance on imported aluminium. In 2024, it was recognised as the ninth fastest growing company on the Oresa Growth Index.

Sheerline, Garnalex’s aluminium window and door systems house, was launched in 2020. It has gained industry-wide recognition by challenging what is expected from an aluminium company, achieving awards for both its products and people.

All this success has come in a relatively short time despite challenging external circumstances including the Covid pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis. This not only shows the company has got the formula right, but that there is an appetite for UK aluminium.

Roger Hartshorn, Garnalex’s CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this development to Ashfield. Garnalex is ambitious and we have plans to expand further and create hundreds more jobs in the coming years.”