A supplier of specialised steel doors has invested £1 million into a new sustainable warehouse to help grow and decarbonise its operations.
Oldbury-based Latham's Steel Doors is one of the UK's largest manufacturers of steel security doors, selling its products to customers worldwide from its online store.
The business started life as a sole trader on online auction site eBay since when it has grown to 85 employees, selling tens of thousands of doors to trade customers and consumers annually.
Due to increasing demand from Europe and America, the firm has decided to invest in a bespoke warehouse, connected to its current premises in Hainge Rd, Oldbury.
The purpose-built facility has been designed to save as much energy as possible and includes energy efficient air conditioning, LED lighting, electric car charging points and cycle storage.
Solar panels cover the building's 20,000 sq ft roof and are linked to the firm's existing manufacturing facility on the site, helping power the building and charge its electric forklift trucks.
Managing director Alex Latham said: "We hold 10,000 doors in stock at any one time, to ensure that our customers can collect or have their door delivered to install on the same day they order.
"By moving all our stock to our new warehousing facility, our original site can be dedicated solely to manufacturing while we can streamline our operations and concentrate on growing.
"The solar panels on the building are even linked to our existing facility, helping power our manufacturing operations to reduce our energy costs and carbon footprint.
"It's crucial that we future proof our business, to make our operations more sustainable going forward."
Lloyds Bank supported the company's expansion plans with £1 million of new funding via its Clean Growth Financing Initiative which gives customers access to discounted lending for green purposes.
Relationship director Rob Taylor said: "Latham's Steel Doors is a fantastic Midlands business which has grown organically due to the consistent high quality of its products and its excellent customer service.
"Its customer-centric approach has enabled the firm to develop a loyal client base while expanding into new markets, both domestically and internationally.
"The business is now looking to the future with a new low-energy warehousing facility, ensuring it has the capacity to meet growing demand in a sustainable way. We look forward to supporting the team and will be by their side as they continue to invest and grow."
