Manufacturing specialist relocates to new base to support growth
Major demand from the automotive and white goods sector has helped a Black Country manufacturing specialist not only to relocate, but to put it on course for another record year.
Worcester Presses, which provides a range of mechanical and hydraulic presses and coil processing equipment for clients all over the UK, has moved from its former base in Stourbridge the short distance to larger, more modern facilities in Peartree Lane in Dudley.
The new site features built-in offices, central stores, a large machine shop and a dedicated 6,000 sq ft engineering area that is supporting the firm’s goal of offering offer more turnkey solutions on the equipment it supplies.
The move marks the start of a new era in the company’s 68-year history, as the relocation has paved the way for a new corporate identity and the appointment of a new engineering director, Ivan Littlewood.
Mr Littlewood will oversee the firm’s in-house manufacturing processes, plus the commissioning of new machines and servicing.
Charles Higgins, director at Worcester Presses, said: “2016 was a very good year for our business and that upward trend is continuing with 2017 delivering even more deals and the real possibility of achieving record breaking turnover.
“Whilst some firms are understandably nervous about Brexit, we’ve seen nothing but growth since the vote, with this increase being driven by our traditional automotive customer base and emerging opportunities in white goods and the building trade.
“In particular, we are being asked to supply more turnkey machinery packages and that really drove our decision to move to the new factory, which is better suited to adapting presses and coil handling equipment.”
Employing 12 people, the company has seen a 35% increase in sales for its Yeh Chiun range of hydraulic presses.
Russell Hartill, sales director at the firm, said: “Since 2015, we’ve probably grown by about 25%. When we sat down and looked at what was behind that it was clear that our customers were demanding more configurations from their machines and the ability to customise presses so they can carry out more complex operations.
“This was a key driver in our relocation as we needed more space, a higher roof and a layout that wasn’t restricted by the confines of our previous site, that was built in the 1800s.”
The relocation and continued demand could also see the business further expand its workforce.
Worcester Presses takes delivery of machines at its new base in Dudley
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