Jobs created at £2m factory expansion

Jobs have been created following a £2m investment by Gripple in the expansion of its Sheffield factory.

The employee-owned manufacturer of wire fastener celebrated the opening of its riverside factory, with Sheffield’s Master Cutler Richard Edwards in attendance.

The opening of Gripple’s Attercliffe factory has created 15 jobs initially, with more expected in the coming year.

Production of the company’s products has increased by more than 10% using 35 cellular manufacturing machines capable of turning out 55m Gripple wire fasteners annually.

The expansion has provided 7,000 sq ft more production space than the original building.

It has also spent £350,000 on 400 solar panels to heat water drawn from the river Don.

The Master Cutler said: “I have seen Gripple develop over the last 20 years and I am in awe of the team who have grown the company through product development and innovation. The new building is wonderful, unique and I am sure a great place to work.”

Gripple still has its head office in the Old West Gun Works on Savile Street East in Sheffield and one of its sister companies, Loadhog is on Hawke Street, also in Attercliffe.

Employees own around 36% of the business in a unique business model for the manufacturing sector.