Staffordshire Moorlands Fencing and Zootech doubles workforce

A FENCING firm which also makes homes for zoo animals is planning to triple its workforce by the end of the year.

Staffordshire Moorlands Fencing has just moved to new premises three times the size of its old headquarters to accommodate new machinery which will allow it to start manufacturing its own products for the first time.

Staffordshire Moorlands Fencing boss Malcolm Mycock.
Above: Blackbrook Zoological Park's penguins enjoy their pool, created by Staffordshire Moorlands Fencing.
Name(s) Pictured are new penguins having a splashing time at Blackbrook Zoo . Brief. five more penguins have arrived at Blackbrook Zoo. Reporter. abbey buxton Category. news Date. thursday april 10 Time. 11am ------ BUSINESS POKE OUT HEAD AT TOP PLEASE PIX OUT COL RICH B

The firm's workforce jumped from five to 10 before Christmas and owner Malcolm Mycock says he wants to hire another five people before the end of 2009.

As well as carrying out conventional fencing work for commercial and domestic clients, staff also run Zootech, building enclosures for zoo animals including penguins, sea lions and rare birds.

Last year the Leekbrook firm completed a £1 million project to build a penguin pool at Blackbrook Zoological Park in Winkhill.

Mr Mycock said: "I worked at Blackbrook for 16 years and we're now doing a lot of work with them.

"We do quite a lot of unusual stuff. We've just won a contract with the RSPB and I've been up at Blackpool Zoo looking at the sea lion enclosure, which requires artificial rock work and waterfalls.

"They also want us to give them a price for a new penguin exhibit. At Chester Zoo, we've got a project lined up to create 16 aviaries for various endangered species."

He added: "I decided to set up Zootech to boost the company's profile and it's made a massive difference. People sit up and look at what we can offer."

The firm, which turned over £1.5 million last year, has moved to a new unit at Leekbrook Industrial Estate after outgrowing its old home in Leek.

Mr Mycock said: "We're opening a showroom and we've also invested in new machinery to start manufacturing our own fencing products.

"The manufacturing side is something completely new for us.

"We wanted to be self-sufficient so we can buy the raw materials and guarantee the quality of everything we make. It will save us money too."

He added: "We doubled our workforce from five to 10 before Christmas, and I'm hoping to take on another five people by the end of the year."

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