Plant hire company set to create 50 new jobs after RGF support

A STAFFORD company is set to create more than 50 new jobs after it secured new growth funding.

Plant hire company A.P. Webb has won the backing of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

The company is now planning a major investment programme which is forecast to create 55 jobs over the next two years.

The business, which supplies specialist construction and rail plant, was founded in 1971. It currently employs 80 people at its Common Road site.

Rob Winstanley, financial controller at the company, said: “We’re hoping to take on an extra 55 people over the next couple of years.

“We are at a stage where we want to grow and need investment. The kind of plant and equipment we deal with isn’t cheap, so the grant is a significant help.

“Clearly, if we invest in more plant we’ll need more people to operate it and that creates jobs.”

He said that during the recession the industry had been focused on who was the cheapest supplier but now companies were increasingly looking at who was the most reliable.

“They’re willing to pay a little more, and we like to think we provide the best service,” added Winstanley.

The chamber-managed funding, delivered on behalf of the RGF, targets job creation initiatives within Staffordshire. So far it has invested £2.5m in projects which are forecast to create more than 870 jobs.

Matt Hustwit, Jobs & Growth Fund programme manager at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Staffordshire economy is on the up and we are delighted to be able to support forward thinking companies such as A.P. Webb.

“With around two thirds of the programme funding committed we are on track to reach our target of 900 jobs.

“There is still nine months for companies in the county to make a bid and we are urging them to get in touch.”

Applications are assessed by the chambers of commerce before going forward to the Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership board for approval.