Caravan manufacturer Swift plans to create a new production line at its East Yorkshire base, for an additional range of camper van products.
Swift, which employs more than 1,100 people, said the move hoped to “ensure its long term success in a very competitive marketplace.”
The manufacturer last week announced it had entered a consultation with some staff as it proposed to reduce production of its caravans.
Swift said Brexit and “wider political uncertainty” had hit the motor home industry.
It also blamed the introduction of Vehicle Excise Duty – which sees buyers now forced to pay a fee of up to £2,135 when they first buy a motor home – for reduced sales in the industry.
Despite the consultation, plans have been submitted by Swift to East Riding Council to create a small new production line at its factory in East Yorkshire.
A design and access statement submitted with the application said: “The Swift Group is the UK’s largest leisure vehicle manufacturer, and is constantly reviewing its product offering to ensure its long-term success in a very competitive market place.
“To this end, it is seeking to introduce a small-scale production line for an additional range of camper van products.
“The application covers a low volume production line for motorhomes. Whilst this constitutes a change of use for this part-building specifically, it is a very similar process to those which have taken place in many buildings on the company’s site over its entire history and in this context is not out of character with the rest of the site.”
Swift said the new, small-scale production line would be housed inside an existing building on its site.
Currently used as a storage facility, Swift said the building had the space required to install a new production line.
Swift said in plans submitted that, even if the new camper van products were a success, “peak production levels would only see an additional 10 to 15 employees housed” in the building.
Founded in 1964 by Ken Smith, Swift today has grown into a leading manufacturer of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes.
In May, Swift Group announced its turnover had risen to £287.8m due to increasing sales.
But just last week, Swift confirmed it has entered into a consultation with some of its staff, as it plans to cut production of its touring caravans and motorhomes.
A spokesman at Swift said: “The UK leisure vehicle sector continues to be a tough trading environment.
“Both the Touring Caravan and Motor home markets are under pressure with wholesale and retail sales slower on both, influenced by external factors such as Brexit and the ongoing political and economic uncertainty surrounding this.
“There are also additional factors impacting on Motor home sales such as the introduction of the new Vehicle Excise Duty."
