By Anna Burdett

Last updated at 11:12, Saturday, 08 September 2012

A COMPANY making head shawls in Carlisle is expanding into new premises in a deal described as “highly significant”.

Sharing site: Longhorn will stay while Lappet Manufacturing expands

Lappet Manufacturing which makes traditional Saudi Arabian men’s head shawls, known as shemagh has bought the Longhorn premises in Lorne Crescent. It is understood that Longhorn, formerly known as Carlisle Glass, will continue to lease space on the site it sold for £1.5m.

The 2.3-acre site just off Junction Street is home to Longhorn’s trade counter centre and offices in an original mill building. It is thought the firm will stay put indefinitely. Extensive modern warehousing units measuring 60,000 sq ft will be occupied by Lappet, whose head office is in Garstang, Lancashire.

Property consultant Nolan Redshaw acted on behalf of Lappet Manufacturing during the purchase. Director Mike Redshaw said: “This recent acquisition allows our client to increase their manufacturing capability and expand one of their satellite factories, which adjoins Carlisle Glass (Longhorn).

“The deal is highly significant, as it demonstrates that certain sectors of UK manufacturing are doing extremely well.”

It is understood that the newly acquired premises will be used for storage and could be transformed into new weaving areas in the future.

This is likely to create new jobs to boost an estimated 50-strong workforce already employed at the Carlisle factory.

In 2004, the owners of the company blamed terrorism, instability in Arab countries and increased competition from China for a decision to make 90 workers redundant in Carlisle.

But the factory never fully shut down and the workforce has been built up again in recent years.

Bob Quick, Lappet’s managing director, visited Carlisle on Thursday to tour the new site. He was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

ABurdett@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 10:49, Saturday, 08 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk