Filtermist secures permission for new £3m factory to support growth
SHROPSHIRE-based manufacturer Filtermist International is set to continue its growth strategy after securing planning permission for a new £3m factory on the outskirts of Telford.
The facility, at the new Telford 54 business park – not to be confused with the nearby i54 site, will also be the firm’s global head office.
The 1,918m² building has been designed to accommodate all aspects of the company’s operation. The approved plans include 848m² of office space, and production, warehousing and dispatch facilities.
Filtermist plans to move its entire operation to Telford by July 2015.
The oil mist removal specialist’s products are used to remove hazardous oil mist generated by a number of manufacturing processes in industries as diverse as aerospace, automotive, medical and food processing.
First established in 1969, the company sells its UK manufactured units into more than 60 countries worldwide, through a network of experienced international distributors. Export trade accounts for a significant proportion of Filtermist’s turnover, with over 90% of all products manufactured in Shropshire destined for overseas markets.
The new factory has come about because the Swedish owned company has outgrown its current premises in Bridgnorth.
James Stanfield, managing director, said: “Global demand for our units is growing at a huge rate as more and more countries are recognising the importance of protecting their workers from the harmful effects of hazardous airborne particles.
“This shift in attitude has had a huge effect on our business and we are expecting the upward trend to continue for the foreseeable future as more and more legislation designed to safeguard air quality is introduced around the world.”
Regeneration and Investments Team Leader at Telford & Wrekin Council, Dylan Webster, has worked closely with Filtermist from the outset of the new project.
He said: “We have been working hard to support the expansion plans of local business and to secure new inward investment. This is a prime example of that.”
Cllr Bill McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Finance and Enterprise, said the new factory would provide a welcome boost to employment in the area.
“We very much look forward to seeing the construction of Filtermist’s purpose-built premises, and welcoming the organisation to what is a flagship employment site, located just 10 miles from the new Jaguar Land Rover engine plant. The level of interest in commercial land has been extremely encouraging and shows no sign of slowing,” he said.
Shrewsbury-based SSJ Chartered Surveyors and Filtermist Operations Director Randall Taft, who has been responsible for managing the project, will be appointing a construction company over the next few weeks.
