A SOUTH Wales business set to bring in excess of 20 jobs to their new site in Barry has celebrated it’s official opening.
The event for the new United Worldwide Logistics (UWL) depot in Barry Docks took place on Friday, June 30, featuring guest speakers such as Vale MP Alun Cairns and businessman Nev Wilshire, famous for his role in BBC documentary ‘The Call Centre’.
The new site marks a return to Barry for business directors Michael Mitchell, Christine Hillier, Mark Hillier, Adam Ruckley and Michael Ruckley who are all originally from the town. The company has taken over the premises formerly owned by SHS Scaffolding, which went into administration in March costing nearly 150 local jobs.
Keeping Wales Open for Business.
The move forms part of the firm’s current campaign, ‘Keeping Wales Open for Business’, which forms the basis for ongoing plans to continue opening facilities around South Wales and create further jobs in the area.
This site will run alongside the current Bridgend and Cardiff Facilities.
Over 20 staff have already been taken on for the Barry site, while additional vacancies are still being filled for driving positions.
In his speech marking the official opening, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns hailed the company’s passion and determination to boost the local economy of Barry, as well as putting the importance of new business into context within the wider country.
“Barry has turned a corner over the last five years,” said the MP.
“I’m grateful for what you’re doing for the wider economy. You are the oil that keeps it turning.
“I’d like to thank you for what you’re doing for the community in Barry, but also for the people who work for you. It really does matter.”
Mr Cairns went on to add how it was his decision to add the scrapping of the Severn Bridge toll to the Conservative election manifesto – and believes this will help link the economies of Wales and Bristol together to benefit the country.
TV personality and businessman Nev Wilshire also delivered an impassioned speech, levelling criticism at the Welsh government for failing to invest sufficiently to help Welsh enterprises like UWL.
Actor Ewan MacIntosh aka Big Keith from ‘The Office’ was also in attendance.
Big Keith’s appraisal in the BBC show has gone down in comedy history as he sat vacantly while David Brent tried in vain to make him care about paper.
Ewan was also in attendance at the opening and is pictured above with UWL accountant Christian Powys.
Article Written by Joe Langstaffe – Barry & District News
Photos By Kyomi Martin