Housewares supplier Taylor’s Eye Witness is set to invest £1m in a new production facility as part of a deal with Sheffield City Council.
The new location marks a move for the brand after 150 years trading from its Milton Street venue. The site, a 32,000sq ft single storey unit off The Sheffield Parkway, was previously owned by Sheffield City Council and will provide the business with a modern factory space as well as room for its growing distribution business. In return Sheffield Council will take on ownership of the brand’s existing Grade 2 listed building.
As part of the move, Taylor’s Eye Witness Ltd will invest in new machinery for the manufacturing unit, new warehousing equipment, offices and a trade showroom.
Alastair Fisher, joint managing director of Taylor’s Eye Witness, said: “We are experiencing growing demand across our product ranges as consumers are increasing their discretionary spending.
“The new facility provides us with a great opportunity to continue to meet consumer demand, expand our business and give even better service to our worldwide customer base. It also demonstrates our continuing commitment to manufacturing in Sheffield, home to Taylor’s Eye Witness for the last 176 years.”
The move will take place over the next 24 months and when complete will provide room for growth and open up opportunities for recruitment in the local area. The business currently employs 50 members of staff.
Taylor’s Eye Witness was founded by John Taylor in the early part of the 19th Century and remains an independent company. The brand has become nationally recognised for the design and production of kitchen knives and scissors.
l-r: Councillor Leigh Bramall, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development, with Alastair Fisher of Taylor’s Eye Witness