International firm Certags opens in Manchester

AUSTRALIAN manufacturer Certags has opened a European office – its first in the UK – in Manchester to complement its offices in the US and Down Under.

The company is a specialist in the production of custom inspection tags and labels designed for the demanding environment of the crane and heavy lifting industries.

By opening an office on Ashton Old Road, the company has been able to use a local presence to ensure current and new customers are given optimal service and turnaround times.

The office is headed up by Aaron Mulrooney, who is also a director at Certags. Having worked at the Melbourne headquarters for several years, with additional experience in the US, Mulrooney brings to Manchester an in-depth knowledge of the company’s capabilities and of the wider industry.

He said: “With the country at the forefront in all forms of health and safety regulations within the industry, it was a natural progression for Certags to set up an office in the UK.

“After assessing several cities, Manchester emerged as the clear choice. Its central location allows easy access to our customers across the country, while Manchester Airport provides direct links to major European cities, which will benefit our plans to expand into Europe in the not too distant future.

“We have begun recruiting staff and are hoping our headcount could get as hight 15 during the next 12 months.

“With Manchester retaining a lot of the graduates from its universities we also hope to take advantage of a highly skilled graduate workforce as our company grows and the skill set for our employees expands.

“And of course the quality of life in the city was another key influence. We saw that Manchester offers a unique combination of culture, music, art, food and shopping that was impossible to pass up.”

The move was supported by MIDAS, Manchester inward investment agency. Chief executive Tim Newns said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Certags as another addition to the host of international companies that have chosen Manchester as their base of European operations.

“As part of a thriving manufacturing sector in the region, Certags will benefit from an outstanding supply chain, including world-class research and education facilities, a strong and established skills base, and significant market opportunities.”