Scott Bader, the Wollaston-based global chemical company, is continuing to invest in Northamptonshire with a new facility in Earls Barton.

The additional unit, based only a short distance from its Wollaston headquarters, is due for completion in November 2021. It has been introduced to improve the existing adhesive production provision and is part of the company’s ongoing succession plan. By bolstering its infrastructure locally in Northamptonshire, Scott Bader seeks to meet growing international demand for its innovative structural adhesives – products which are of particular interest to specialty markets, including the automotive industry.

The company, who’s headquarters have been based in Northamptonshire since the early 1940s, employs around 300 people in the U.K and marked its Centenary year this April. Commenting on the recent addition to the portfolio, Deklyn Barnes, Adhesive Product Manager for Scott Bader said: “We’re delighted to be enhancing our production capabilities locally. Improving production was key to meeting our market demands but sustainability was also at the heart of the decision and this investment will help us to make improvements in this area too.”

A trailblazer from the start, Scott Bader was the first organisation in the UK to be employee-owned and one of the founding partners of the UK’s Employee Ownership Association (EOA). Deklyn Barnes believes this heritage plays a major part in the Wollaston company’s long-term success and future strength of position. “From the moment you walk through the converted grade two listed building in Wollaston, it strikes you that here’s a company that has been doing the right thing for a very long time.” He continues: “We became a top 10 global adhesive manufacturer in 2021, not only because of our leading adhesives but because of the company’s ethos. From its forward-thinking structure early on, to the fact that the broader sustainability agenda has always been part of our make-up, Scott Bader’s success has been built on its investment in humanity, business and ecology.”

Scott Bader’s unique structure also includes an established charity, the Scott Bader Commonwealth, which supports many local initiatives in the Northamptonshire area. This year alone the grant scheme has already invested £37,500 into 10 local groups including Action for Children, Autism East Midlands, Busy Bee Pre-School and Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service.

Global expansion

Coupled with recent $16m investment in a third North American site, Scott Bader’s global coverage now totals 7 manufacturing plants and 17 offices worldwide. On the back of these developments, the company is currently recruiting for some 70 plus roles, globally. With opportunities across manufacturing, HR, R&D, sales, marketing, operations, IT and applications.