Lyndhurst lines up Japanese contract

A LANCASHIRE-based engineering firm has secured a major automotive project for the Japanese market.

Lyndhurst Precision Engineering, set up 25 years ago by managing director Phil Sweeney, is to design and manufacture a heat shielding process line for aerospace and automotive products.

It expects the job to increase annual turnover by 30%.

To cater for such a contract, and other large projects for the nuclear industry, the firm has moved to purpose-built, 15,000 sq ft premises at Crosse Hall Street, Chorley. Its construction was financed by the firm’s bank, Lloyds TSB.

Engineering director Mark Marriner said: “Our move to the new building comes at the right time for us to really capitalise on the burgeoning nuclear market by applying our niche skills for prototypes and one-offs, especially in our supply of bespoke services for manufacturers.

“In addition to the investment in the new facility we have continued to invest throughout the recession in our people, maintaining the same employment levels over this difficult period and continuing the development of our apprentices. We have also continued to expand our manufacturing capabilities, including the introduction of new high-precision water jet cutting machinery.”

Neil Haworth, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, said: “Engineering firms are vitally important to the UK economy, helping to drive growth in a number of associated sectors, and it’s encouraging to see that Lyndhurst Precision Engineering is continuing to grow and thrive in what remain challenging economic conditions.”