£25m Bahrain deal turns up the heat at manufacturer
Dudley furnace manufacturer Mechatherm International has created 20 jobs after securing a £25m order from Bahrain.
The contract is to supply and maintain a series of furnaces with one of the largest aluminium producers in the Middle East.
Mechatherm has had to increase the size of its workforce from 50 to 70 to meet the increased demand and expects revenue to rise above £20m in 2019.
Exports account for around 85% of its annual sales and it plans to open a Dubai office later this year to bolster its presence in the Middle East.
The company has been working with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and has been chosen as a success story for DIT’s Exporting is GREAT campaign.
Based in Kingswinford, the business specialises in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of bespoke furnaces used to produce aluminium.
“Exporting is key to our business and some of our most valuable contracts are with overseas customers,” said Andrew Riley, chairman of Mechatherm International.
“Before working with the DIT, we encountered some difficulties with logistics. We were unsure who to trade with and how to do so securely. The DIT helped us to overcome this by introducing us to a network of trusted partners meaning that we could export confidently and profitably.
“If we can benefit from the global demand for British-made products, so can other local businesses.”
Ian Harrison, director of exports for the Midlands at the Department for International Trade, said: “The success of Mechatherm is largely driven by exports. The business has secured some significant contracts abroad recently, and it’s fantastic to see the positive benefits locally, with new jobs being created right here in Dudley.”
