Bluetree buys unit next door for bumper expansion

Bluetree Group is set to increase its floorspace by 45% in an ambitious expansion plan that will extend into 2020.

Parent to Route One Print, BluetreeConnect, Instantprint and Instantprint Pro, the entirety of Bluetree’s operations have been based in a single 9290sqm unit in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, for the past four years.

Following a deal that has led to the purchase of the neighbouring 4180sqm unit, the print group is set to make a move that will expand and enhance its offering to clients.

Having invested £20m in production kit over the past five years, Bluetree will begin renovating the newly-purchased building in spring 2019.

Managing director Adam Carnell said: “We are a very ambitious company that is rapidly expanding, it seemed that now was the right time to look at expansion to accommodate our growth.

“We have been working with both the landlord and the current tenant for a number of years. There has been a lot of negotiation in order to resolve this in a way that will be beneficial to all parties.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance our customer offering further so really, the future plan is to stay a step ahead of the curve and delight our customers on the way. We are working with our customers to look at their requirements and building our product range around what they are looking for.”

Set to take the UK’s first-ever Landa S10P Nanographic printing press on as part of its Route One portfolio early in the new year, Bluetree has eyes on further expansion of its kit and product range that will be accommodated by its increased footprint.

A hiring initiative is set to kick off in late 2019 that will add a significant number of workers to the group’s circa-350 staff headcount. The nature of the vacancies set to open is yet to be determined, according to Carnell.

With a projected turnover of £42m for 2018, Bluetree anticipates that it will be fully operational within both units by early 2020 when renovations are complete.

It has not yet been determined whether the two buildings will continue to stand separately, or if they will be merged into a single structure.