Manufacturer makes major investment to ensure further growth
A YORKSHIRE manufacturer which creates mechanical drives for cruise ships, wind farms and vehicles has invested more than half a million pounds on a new factory extension.
Bradford-based Centa Transmissions UK is currently celebrating 35 years in business and has invested £300,000 in a new 382 sq m factory extension – taking its total space to 1,500 sq m – and £300,000 on new machinery,
Centa creates mechanical drives for diesel engines, hydraulic and electric motors. It makes couplings, gearboxes, industrial brakes and other specialist products and recently designed components for a Morgan three-wheeler – a retro model reintroduced by the prestige British sports car builder.
The family-owned business, which has an annual turnover of £5m, employs 32 people in Shipley and the new extension created two new jobs. The firm said this development enables it to restructure the production and storage facilities for greater output and efficiency.
Managing director Bob Arnott said Centa, which has around 800 customers, is now focussed on developing new products as it moves forward and secures its market share.
“We are developing new products this year, which will allow us to expand the market area and support the market risk and carry on having a stable workforce here,” he said.
Customers include construction equipment manufacturers such as JCB and CAT and Arnott says 13% of products are exported, but once Centa has passed on its items to customers, this figure is more like 65%.
Centa’s UK office is part of a global group headquartered in Germany, which has ten offices across the globe. It was founded by Gerhard Kirschey and Jeremy Tucker in 1979. Today, it is owned by Kirschey’s daughter, Karin Kirschey-Bolten and his son Bernd also helps to run the business.
