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David Blunkett Officially Reopens Sharrow Industries
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David Blunkett MP was in Sheffield to officially reopen refurbished workshops at Sharrow Industries.
Sharrow Industries is the sole supplier of PVCu windows and kitchen furniture for the Decent Homes programme in Sheffield. In the last year the workshop has produced 22,000 window units, 18000 kitchen units, and 4000 composite doors.
Sharrow Industries provides a modern production environment, and employs a team of 39 people. More than half of the employees have disabilties or medical conditions ranging from auditory and visual impairment through to learning difficulties and epilepsy. Individual employee programs of training, adaptation and support from organizations such as Work Step, contribute to employee and business development on an ongoing basis.
Around £400,000 has been invested in new machinery and the refurbishment of offices, reception and a staff social area.
As part of the official reopening Mr Blunkett met employees, along with representatives from Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Homes and Kier Sheffield LLP, and found out how the refurbishment is helping to benefit the city's £1billion Decent Homes programme. Over the next few years, the workshop will produce a further 80,000 doors, 320,000 kitchen units and 240,000 windows to help modernise council owned properties in Sheffield.
Dave Sheridan, Managing Director of Kier Sheffield LLP said: "During a period of rapid expansion and change the team at Sharrow have remained focused and committed. The passion to deliver a continually improving level of product and service to the contractor partners, Sheffield Homes and ultimately the people of Sheffield, is a credit to them all."
Councillor Chris Weldon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Regeneration said: "The Decent Homes programme is massive for council tenants in Sheffield but we want to maximize the benefits for the whole city, through employing local people and using local businesses to supply the contractors."
Notes to editors:
Sharrow Industries - A short history
Sharrow Industries began life as Sheffield Workshops for the Blind located on Sharrow Lane in 1930. The workshop produced baskets, brushes and knitted goods. Old photographs show that male and female staff were segregated while working and used separate canteens!
During the 1960's, under the local authority, the workshops began recruiting sighted, disabled people who were having difficulty finding jobs in the open market and the product range was extended to include toys. During the 1970's Sharrow began manufacturing kitchen sink units.
In 1990 the workshop moved to its current location adjacent to the Sheffield Parkway. The workshop was having a difficult time financially and had to be rescued by Government funding. Responsibility for managing the workshop was passed to the Council's Works Department and then to Housing and Direct Service's Construction and Building Division.
Since 2003 the workshop has been part of Kier Sheffield LLP who took over the repairs and maintenance contract for Sheffield City Council during the same period. Disabled employees are part funded through the Work Step programme.