Auto components firm Compressortech relocates after Growing Places support
A WARWICKSHIRE automotive component supplier has moved to larger premises and taken on extra staff after receiving support from a national funding initiative.
Compressortech is the only UK company to re-manufacture air conditioning compressors for the automotive industry.
It has made a £1.2m move to the Budbrooke Industrial Estate in Warwick after receiving £148,000 from the government’s Growing Places scheme; an award approved by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
The company, established 32 years ago, has moved from 7,500 sq ft premises in Bordesley Green to a new 11,500 sq ft unit which includes a workshop, research and design studio, warehouse, training centre and sales office.
The move has created 14 new jobs including, a sales manager, production and purchasing manager, assemblers, research and design experts and warehouse staff.
The firm also received support and guidance from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Jim McClean, managing director of Compressortech, said the business has grown from four employees to 18 members of staff because of the government grant.
“We wanted to find suitable premises which were of the right size, had a great location and had plenty of parking which Budbrooke Industrial Estate has provided,” he said.
“All our suppliers and customers have found the move beneficial because logistics are key. The new facility will allow us to meet customers’ demands and requirements and invite additional customers to work with us long-term.
“The new single-site operation will continue to provide our customers with excellent levels of service and stock availability from a more agile operation. We also now have a multi-lingual product management and sales team which will greatly enhance our growth and expansion plans over the next five years.”
He said the business would have struggled to finance the relocation without the support of the Growing Places funding.
“Realistically, it would probably have taken us another year to have re-located so we are extremely fortunate to have met the criteria to receive the assistance and funding,” he added.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, CWLEP board director and leader of Warwickshire County Council, said re-manufacturing automotive air conditioning compressors highlighted Compressortech’s green credentials.
“It is more environmentally-friendly and cost effective for Compressortech to produce the equivalent of new air conditioning compressors in appearance, quality and finish for its customers and the finished products are very impressive,” she said.
“Growing Places was set-up to provide grants to companies such as Compressortech to grow the economy and boost jobs which they have certainly achieved by more than quadrupling their workforce.”
