Wirral firm installs new £300k production line
A WIRRAL-based manufacturing business, which can trace its roots back more than 160 years, has invested £300k to boost its production capacity.
Advanced Electrical Varnishes (AEV), which manufactures electrical varnishes and resins, has installed a new production line at its Birkenhead factory that will increase capacity by 2,400 tonnes a year.
The investment will also improve the productivity of the 68,000 sq ft Birkenhead factory and AEV’s directors are hopeful it will drive turnover from £4.7m to £8m within the next few years.
The business was first established in 1849 as Joseph Kemp & Co, before changing its name to AEV in 1982. It remains an independent, family-owned business headed by managing director Jonathan Kemp.
The firm’s varnishes, resins and compounds are used by electrical and electronics firms around the workd and it exports 80% of its products. It also has production facilities in Spain and Malaysia.
Mr Kemp said: “This new investment significantly increases our manufacturing capacity and improves the overall efficiency of our production process.
“An increased in capacity by 2,400 tonnes will make a major difference to our operations and it ensures that we have the headroom to continue growing the business in the UK and overseas.”
The firm secured an asset finance loan worth around £190,000 from Lombard to facilitate the investment as well as £44,000 from Wirral Council’s Think Big Investment Fund.
Andrew Thrower, relationship manager for Lombard, said: “AEV is a great example of a UK manufacturing business which continues to grow its operations on a global scale. The company has a long track record of investing in technology.”
