An award-winning coffee company has moved to a huge new roastery – and they say it could see production “comfortably” double. Rounton Coffee has taken on a 6,000sqft unit at Teesside Industrial Estate in Thornaby, a site three times the size of its previous HQ – The Granary – near Northallerton.
The move represents a near six-figure investment by the independent roaster, and is set to lead to new jobs while “future-proofing” the business as it continues to grow. The firm was launched by Dave Beattie at local farmers’ markets in 2013 – and according to the founder, the business has simply outgrown its original home.
“The Granary was a fantastic chapter in our story, and it will always hold a special place in our hearts,” said Dave, a former chemical engineer.
“But there came a point where every inch was being utilised, and we simply couldn’t fit any more into the space. This move is about creating room to breathe and building a business that’s fit for the future, and this site feels almost tailor-made to help the business grow. So many of our team already live in Teesside, and the new site will allow us to invest back into an area that’s long championed the business.”
It is expected that three new jobs could initially be created as a direct result of the expansion – with more down the line. From the firm’s humble origins, Rounton Coffee has grown into a national brand with their range frequently supplied as far away as the Outer Hebrides and Ireland.
Last month, its ethically sourced range secured seven prestigious Great Taste Awards, including two varieties which picked up two stars. With the company currently able to roast up to a tonne of beans a day, Dave said the new site could have a “transformative” impact on production.
“As well as more space, the building has infrastructure that wasn’t available at the old premises, including mains gas and three-phase power, which will help us make significant savings,” said Dave. “The new site brings everything under one roof and means we can pretty much grow every part of the business – be it production, staffing, training or the warehouse – without needing more costly upgrades.
“It gives us the perfect base to grow over the next decade, without needing to move again.”
Rounton Coffee has moved to a new site in Thornaby -Credit:Rounton Coffee
Dave Beattie and Jamiel El Sharif from Rounton Coffee in the new base -Credit:Rounton Coffee
The additional space also gives the company room to improve its storage and production processes, with green coffee storage silos already installed. For customers, the move could see coffee education sessions, barista training, cupping events and equipment demonstrations at the new site.
However, Dave said the move wouldn’t mean a change to the coffee itself.
“We are still the same independent coffee roaster we’ve always been,” he said. “What has changed is the infrastructure around us. The new site allows us to operate more efficiently, improve working conditions for our team, create new jobs and continue growing while maintaining the quality and service our customers expect.”
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