'Perfect timing' for expanding Dingwall firm WoodblocX as it flits to prominent Strathpeffer Road site vacated by car dealer Mackays
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A PROMINENT gateway site in Ross-shire's county town has changed hands and will be filled by a rapidly growing local firm.
Hot on the heels of the success of last week's Queen’s Award for Enterprise in international trade, garden and landscaping furniture specialist WoodblocX has confirmed it has acquired the former Mackays of Dingwall car dealership site to help meet its rapid growth.
The car dealer – which is consolidating in Inverness – announced its plans to flit from Strathpeffer Road in March.
WoodblocX, which had moved to nearby Docharty Road last year, needed more space to expand to
move its entire operation from its existing site at Munro Sawmills on Old Evanton Road.
The business had been considering building a new site outside Dingwall when "on the off chance" it approached Mackays and timing proved perfect.
WoodBlocX plans to move its entire production, storage and distribution to the site over the coming years.
The firm's expansion plans were last year backed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise with a £180,000 grant. It currently employs 15 staff with aims to ramp that p in the next year.
Its exceptional growth over the last three years landed it the Queen's Award for Enterprise. Overseas sales have grown a remarkable 433 per cent over three years with the firm's raised beds, planters, retaining walls, ponds, edging and seats becoming a familiar feature in many gardens and public spaces.
Henry Blake of WoodBlocX said that the owner’s of Macyays' owner, Muir Mackay, had been extremely supportive of the acquisition. He said: “Muir and his team have done everything they could to make this process as smooth as possible, they are delighted that the site will be used by another local family business and we are equally delighted that we are able to continue to operate from Dingwall.”
He hopes the new premises "will set us up well for maximising future potential of the WoodBlocX range of products and will enable us to serve even more countries across Europe and beyond. These are exciting times for WoodBlocX.”
Joanie Whiteford, Ross-shire's Lord Lieutenant, said: "The creation of a unique value added product using local materials is a great example of what can be achieved in the Lieutenancy of Ross and Cromarty with the consequent extra employment opportunities. A business such as this is a huge asset to our community.”
Related: Queen's Award for Enterprise for WoodblocX
