Jobs boost for Huntly as international manufacturer moves in
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AN international business is planning to create up to 40 new jobs in Huntly.
British business Dunster House, which makes garden cabins and other timber structures, has bought land amounting to around 10 acres in Steven Road for manufacturing.
Chris Murphy, boss of the family business says this will enable him to provide new jobs as the operation develops over the next 12 months.
He said: "We have factories in England, Estonia, Poland and Hungary and I wanted to open up in Scotland as well.
"Timber businesses need space and I had my eye on the market when I saw the land available in Huntly."
The Irish business man, who is based in Bedford, said he is excited to bring new jobs to the area.
"I have been exploring the area and I used to live in Scotland," said Mr Murphy. "I know jobs are needed in the north east and I really enjoy helping people find employment."
The land on the former Deveronside Works site was bought by Dunster House last year, but legal processes to buy the adjoining land to expand the site even more held up the process.
The Huntly site is having a special machine which constructs a material called wood plastic sheeting shipped over from China.
"I finally have everything in place for Huntly to launch and machines on their way from all over the world to get things up and running," said Mr Murphy.
"I'm also looking at a place in the central belt to add to our UK network."
There are already 12 people employed at the site in Huntly.
There is currently a job advert for the Huntly site for a 40-hour role in the stores department with forklift driving duties.
Helen Kings, treasurer of Huntly Business Association, told the Huntly Express they are happy to welcome the business to the area.
She said: "We were delighted to hear the news that Dunster House has opened a new production facility in Huntly and would like to welcome the company to our beautiful town and district.
"Huntly has seen a number of new businesses open their doors this year and Dunster House’s new facility, along with the creation of local employment opportunities, is more very positive news for the area."
Mr Murphy, who is ex-military, is joined by his wife and two sons in the company and has also been instrumental in bringing families over to the UK to from Ukraine.
He has also gifted a farm in Wales to a charity supporting people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and says the hard work of building up his business over the past 25 years has allowed him to give to others.
The 74-year-old said: "You only get one life and you can't waste it sitting pontificating.
"You have to get things done. And I always believe it's better to give than receive."
As well as supplying timber garden buildings, Mr Murphy is looking into "clever" ways to heat people's homes.
He said: "I have no plans to retire. I am in the middle of developing cheaper home heating methods, which is more important now than ever."
