Swindon joinery, shopfitting and construction firm Edmont is to increase production by more than 50% following a £1m investment in a new assembly workshop.
The firm, set up as a two-man business in 1971, expects to add to its 100-plus workforce as a result of the 9,000 sq ft new building and associated machinery. Edmont, which has a turnover of just over £20m, also supports many local suppliers and subcontractors.
A second development phase, which already has planning permission, will be completed next year. 
Chairman Les Clark, who co-founded the company – then named Edmont Joinery – with his father-in-law, was instrumental in the expansion.
After operating for nine years from premises in William Street in the centre of Swindon, the firm moved to its current base on a 1.6 hectare (four-acre) site provided by – and located next to – Arkell’s Brewery in Upper Stratton, which had recently invested in the business. Family-owned Arkell’s Brewery helped fund the new workshop.
While joinery manufacture is still a major part of Edmont’s business, the company also has large construction and fit-out divisions which work on projects across the UK.
The firm has carried out multiple retail fit-outs at Heathrow and other UK airports, refurbished high street branches for Nationwide Building Society and carried out sensitive heritage building restorations in the Cotswolds. It has also worked on new schools, pubs and leisure centres.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson will officially open the new workshop next Friday. He will be joined by Edmont managing director Craig Morton and joinery director Melanie Fyans. Other guests will include Arkell’s directors, clients and suppliers.
