Certikin International, the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of swimming pool and water leisure equipment has confirmed its move to a new 125,000 sq. ft headquarters across town from its current base in Witney, Oxford-shire. The company aims to move into the new building by the end of 2020. Established in 1963, and now a subsidiary of Fluidra, Certikin hold over 8,000 product lines in stock for both domestic and commercial pools, spas and wellness and aquatics. As well as being a market leader in the UK for swimming pool covers, Certikin is also the UK’s foremost specialist in swimming pool heating with class leading brands such as Calorex H&V equipment and Genie Gas Boilers. Since 1990, Certikin’s headquarters and main distribution hub has been based in Witney, on the Station Lane Industrial Estate. In addition to the site in Witney, the company has a swimming pool liner and cover manufacturing plant in Leeds. However, it is in Witney where the majority of the stock and workforce is based.
It was therefore considered crucial that the new HQ remained in the vibrant market town to retain its experienced team of professionals and excellent location for distribution. “Having outgrown our existing premises, we knew we needed to move to a bigger, better site but we were determined to stay in Witney with its excellent infrastructure and to cause the least possible disruption to our highly valued and experienced employees,” comments Neil Murray, Managing Director for Certikin. “As well as being an ideal location, Tungsten Park offers us the space and enhanced facilities that we need to suit all the complex needs of our growing business. This, along with the improved access provided by the new A40 junction, should improve our operational efficiency and secure Certikin’s future as well as that of our 130-strong workforce,” Neil continues. “This in turn translates to improved service levels for our customers as almost all our products will be under one roof with increased picking locations and more efficient order preparation. We will also benefit by bringing stock held in third party storage back into our main warehouse.”
The new HQ for Certikin, will be located on Downs Road and is part of the 24-acre site currently being developed by Tungsten Properties. Located just 500 metres from a new junction on the A40, it allows easy, fast access to Oxford and Cheltenham and the main arterial routes of the A34, M40 and M5 motorways.
