Sectors
Ashford is a thriving commercial centre in Kent, a
vibrant expanding town with a diverse economy reaping the rewards
of significant new investment.
Ashford has around 5,000 businesses employing over 46,000
people.
Key sector strengths:
- Specialist Manufacturing – a signifcant sector
with a diverse range of activities. The area has attracted
production of high-value products. Home to Givaudan (formerly Quest International) a
world leading company in the fragrance industry and Coty UK
Manufacturing.
- Retail – investment in the town centre’s
retail environment has consoldiated this core sector, reinforced by
the £65 million extension to County Square. Ashford
Designer Outlet alone attracts over 3 million visitors per
year.
- Wholesale – Ashford has a competitive
advantage with its ‘connectivity’ - improved motorway accessibility
and high-speed rail links. Brakes has been in Ashford for around 50 years
distributing more than 15,000 products to approximately 150,000
customer outlets.
- Construction – a core sector that has shown
considerable expansion to support the developments of the Channel
Tunnel Rail link and creation of 31,000 new homes. Leading
players are GSE Group
and Directline Structure Ltd.
- Transport and Distribution – Ashford’s
transport hub is a vital asset to the area. With Eurostar and home to Hitachi’s
maintenance depot, it is poised to attract further investment and
employment.
- Business Services – significant expertise
across banking, finance and insurance. It is also has a strong mix
of publishing, printing and security activites. Headley Brothers has
been Ashford for over 125 years and Q Creative is an expanding design agency.