UK staycations bring universal growth for Corby firm

As the relaxation in rules continue and the uncertainty over foreign travel rules remain, UK resorts have witnessed record domestic bookings well into next year.

With leisure parks and in vogue glamping continuing to enjoy a renaissance, newly-formed Corby-based chassis designer and builder Universal Chassis has seen a surge in orders surpassing its first-year expectations.

The company, based in Mitchell Road, has benefited from the revival in domestic interest as leisure home manufacturers produce what is now more a home from home than the once humble caravan.

Managing director, Gez Donnelly, said: "Our business plan centres on working with customers to design and manufacture high strength durable chassis on which to build their leisure homes. The trust and confidence we have been able to build promises exciting times for the company and our current team, which we are having to grow much quicker than expected – to keep up with demand."

The investment in a new 25,000sq ft workshop, spray-shop and CAD centre based in Corby is already paying dividends as major leisure home builders turn to Universal.

More than 30 tonne of steel per week is used in the production of the chassis all supplied by British mills.

Mr Donnelly said: "Together, our combined experience promotes continual development not only in structural strength but in reducing our client’s production time. Universal Chassis are proud to be a part of this revolution."

Universal Chassis Ltd. was incorporated in September 2020 to design and manufacture chassis for the leisure home and glamping sectors.

There are 465,000 park and leisure homes throughout the UK with more than million nights being spent in leisure homes in 2019-20

Phil Cross, Universal’s commercial manager, added: "Our twin aims are to provide first class engineering welded with excellent customer service.

"I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far with an committed team recruited locally, which we look forward to expanding and developing for the future. The growth in leisure homes, glamping and modular spaces show no sign of declining and as our reputation within the industry continues to grow. I have no doubt many more leisure home customers will find their dream homes built on the strongest foundations.

Mr Donnelly added: "This region is renowned for their industrial and engineering skill. We look forward to recruiting that skill as our business grows."