The Sheffield firm is celebrating its 135th anniversary this year.
The full service printing business offers an array of commercial and creative print services, along with mailing, project management, and pick and pack.
Sales director Ian McCloskey said the firm was “at bursting point” at its main site, and the addition of the new unit would help it achieve its growth ambitions.
“From the New Year our new dedicated Pick & Pack unit will be operating five days a week from the site of the old Sheffield Smelting Company which once employed 2,000 staff.
“We are starting with fewer than that but who knows?!” he quipped.
The firm is taking on an initial 604sqm but that is likely to increase.
“We have 500 pallet locations currently, with the option to expand,” he explained.
A team of five or six will relocate, headed by Katy Buttery who has been promoted to supervisor of pick, pack and dispatch. Additional roles are likely to be created in future.
McCloskey said the move would allow the Northend team greater focus on the pick and pack operation and also free up valuable space at its 1,858sqm manufacturing unit as it preps for a new round of capital expenditure in 2025.
He said the firm planned to advance its capabilities, “particularly in added value print finishing services”.
“It’s nice to end the year with some positive news,” he added.
Separately, as part of its 135th anniversary activities, the firm has joined forces with The Archer Project to provide 135 Christmas meals for the needy.
McCloskey said it was a way to recognise “how fortunate we are to be part of a thriving business community”.
For over thirty years, the Archer Project has supported thousands of people who were homeless in Sheffield.
During that time the service has changed to add new ways of working so that instead of aiming to get people into accommodation, the aim is to help people to build fulfilling lives.
Northend employs 35 full time and five part-time staff, and has sales of around £4m.
McCloskey said 2024 had been a very positive year for the business, with turnover and margins both on the up.
