JJO MD calls for end to Brexit

Stephen Greenhalgh says Brexit 'no man's land' is damaging business

04 Jun, 19

Joint managing director of JJO Stephen Greenhalgh has  called for an end to the Brexit ‘no man’s land’ which he says is damaging business.

JJO MD calls for end to Brexit

He has warned the constant uncertainty is having a massive impact on companies stifling investment and forcing stockpiling.

The kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer has filled its warehouses with £1million worth of extra materials and components,  to ensure it has the capacity to continue to fulfil orders.

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However that stockpiling, which has been going on for more than six months, hampers the company’s ability to make capital investment in new machinery to improve manufacture.

Stephen Greenhalgh, who is also director of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said the political stalemate and impasse needed to end.

He was quoted in a Sunday Times article outlining the effect the Brexit deal wait is having on business.

Greenhalgh said: “We are in no-man’s land where Brexit could occur at any time. We have had no choice but to maintain this stockpile of reserves while we wait for a Brexit deal to be agreed and implemented.

“Without the necessary components and materials we would not be able to meet our customers’ needs and that is uppermost for any business to survive.

“Some of our products are on 12-week lead times and so we have to be one step ahead of the game because there is uncertainty about what impact a deal or no deal may have on the importation of items from Europe and JJO is far from just the only business to be affected.

“At Chamber meetings, the Brexit uncertainty is a constant subject for debate. Politicians need to sort this out expediently.”

His views echo  members of trade association , the Kbsa which found retailers want PM to negotiate Brexit.