Raskelf Group begin work on factory extension

Raskelf Group, a mattress and bedding manufacturer that previously appeared on Dragons’ Den, has begun work on an extension of its factory in West Yorkshire.The group’s existing factory at Heckmondwike, which currently produces up to 3,000 mattresses, toppers and sleeping bags every week, will increase in size by 16,000 sq ft over two floors,, growing capacity by 30 per cent.Purchased in 2019, the four-acre site currently consists of a 28,000 sq ft factory, with an additional 12,000 sq ft office and showroom block.The original factory was fully renovated when it was bought by the group; however, due to significant growth in business, an extension is now required to take operations to the next level.Thomas Colleran, commercial director at Raskelf Group, said: “Having secured the appropriate planning permissions, I am delighted to confirm that our new factory extension has officially started.”We have planned the works carefully to cause minimum disruption to our normal operations, and our hope is that construction will be complete by October this year.”As the extension nears completion, our plan is to invest in new machinery; to introduce new processes; and to add in extra product lines with the aim of becoming as vertically integrated as possible. All of this will require more labour – especially increasing our foam conversion capacity, so there will be new employment opportunities for skilled operatives later this year.”Huddersfield-based Radcliffe Construction has been contracted by the group.