Independent cider maker Aston Manor has announced plans to create a new warehousing and distribution hub just three miles from its production site in Birmingham.

The multi-million pound deal will enable the business to develop a dedicated logistics facility of some 84,000 square feet adjacent to the M6 at Witton in Birmingham and just minutes from a factory in Aston that has also benefitted from recent investment.

Gordon Johncox, managing director of Aston Manor Cider said: “We are delighted to have secured a top quality, modern site so close to our primary production site.

“This investment represents the continuation of our intent to build the capability and capacity to support the future growth of the business.

“So in recent years, our Tiverton site has been transformed with an investment programme in excess of £10m, and that development work continues. At Aston we have enhanced the packaging lines in terms of flexibility and scale and generally upgraded the site.

“Last year at Stourport-on-Severn we spent millions to commission a new fruit processing facility and over the next few years we will continue to develop that site.”

“Now we have made a very significant investment to establish an outstanding logistics hub to the specification we want and with the capacity to support us for many years. This will enable us to ensure our warehousing and transport operation is as efficient and effective as it can – something that also reduces the impact we make in the communities where we operate through a lower carbon footprint.

“Underpinning this is the work in hand to plant a further 1,000 acres of new orchards to deliver the quality fruit we will need for our ciders. This commitment, measured over decades, we see us conservatively invest over £50m into the rural economy to buy locally grown apples.”

The new location is very close to the UK transport network and will enable Aston Manor to connect with customers directly and quickly having consolidated their precise requirement using bespoke warehouse systems.

Since it was first built the site has been occupied for just a couple of years. Aston Manor Cider now plans to do work to configure it precisely for their needs.

The warehousing and logistics element will be operational for Aston Manor from August. Then through to spring 2015 further work will create a suite of offices for the management and support functions of Aston Manor.