Robotics firm expands further to create 40 jobs

Dewsbury-based robotics specialist Sewtec has opened a new mechanical and software engineering design office in Wakefield as part of ambitious growth plans which will see at least 40 highly skilled jobs created in the region.

The new office at Silkwood Park, just off Junction 40 of the M1, will play a major role in enabling Sewtec’s plans to double turnover to £32m and increase its headcount from 80 to more than 120 people within the next five years.

Sewtec designs and manufactures high-technology factory automation systems for global blue-chip clients in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care and tobacco industries. It has clients include Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Johnson & Johnson. More than 85% of its sales are to export markets.

Recruitment for numerous positions at the office, including mechanical design and software engineers, has already begun. The new office complements Sewtec’s existing mechanical and software engineering design team based at the company’s 23,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Dewsbury.

Sewtec managing director, Mark Cook, said: “The new office is strategically located to augment the excellent work of our existing design team, and to attract talent from across the region and beyond. It shows our commitment to accelerating Sewtec’s growth to achieve our plans of doubling our manufacturing capability whilst expanding further into global markets.”

Sewtec’s rapid expansion follows a successful management buyout (MBO) in August 2017, which was backed by Leeds headquartered private equity firm Endless.

Cook added: “Since the beginning of the year, we have created 16 new jobs across our engineering, manufacturing and sales functions. Attracting new people to our Wakefield design office is the next important next step in recruiting for least 40 new highly skilled jobs which will underpin Sewtec’s continued success.”