TWO Huddersfield firms have embarked on a new venture.

Hanson Family Holdings, based at Ashgrove Road, off Leeds Road at Deighton, and Edgerton-based pH Europe have launched Hanson PH Ltd, a new packaging sales company.

The move comes hot on the heels of Hanson’s recent expansion into China and is the first of a number of new projects the two companies are planning together.

Peter Wade, commercial director for Hanson PH Ltd, said the new venture capitalised on the core capabilities of the existing companies and would secure and create new jobs in Huddersfield.

The new company is based at the Hanson Logistics site off Leeds Road with sales activities centred on the pH Europe offices in Edgerton.

It will stock and distribute long-life plastic boxes, crates, and pallets under an exclusive deal with Dutch-based Schoeller Arca Systems, the world’s largest manufacturer of re-usable plastic transit packaging.

Mr Wade said: “Hanson PH anticipates strong growth in the sector over the coming years as the UK emerges from recession and more companies adopt re-usable packaging to reduce waste and deliver goods cost-effectively.”

Hanson Family Holdings is the umbrella under which the Hanson family interests and companies are monitored.

The business originated during the mid-1800s when Mary Hanson carried wool by packhorse between Longwood and Huddersfield.

The business grew from a small haulage firm into an international concern with interests in petrol stations, car and coach hire, a school of motoring, a property company and a travel company.

Lord Hanson, who was chairman of the company prior to his son, Robert Hanson, set up Hanson plc with Lord White.

Both transformed Hanson plc into a global multi-billion pound conglomerate before it de-merged in the late 1990s.

Jack Cleghorn and Peter Wade set up pH Europe in 1996 in Huddersfield.

The company operates a fleet of industrial stainless steel containers throughout Europe – typically one-tonne capacity packs used to transport large volumes of liquid products on an industrial scale.

Products as diverse as food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics are all carried in the containers at various stages during manufacture and distribution.