Engineering firm presses ahead with expansion following acquisition

Birmingham engineering group, Westley Engineering has strengthened its presence in the pressings industry with a new acquisition.

The group has acquired the pressings business of James Hutton Pressings, of Bordesley Green for an undisclosed sum. The deal expands both the group’s revenue and its workforce by more than one third.

The acquisition, advised by Black Country law firm George Green, sees the employees and assets of the James Hutton Pressings business move across to Westley Engineering’s purpose-built 20,000 sq ft site in Aston.

Westley, which supplies to both the aerospace and automotive sectors, said the acquisition reflected its need to grow the business to continue meeting.

Trevor Smelt, managing director of Westley Engineering, said: “This purchase reflects Westley Engineering’s expansion strategy of purchasing bolt-on businesses which are already in their area of expertise to widen its customer base and offer a truly one-stop service – from tool design to tool manufacture and contract pressings.

“We feel the acquisition is a great fit for us and we are delighted to have retained all the staff from James Hutton Pressings. This exciting development is a big step forward and will see us grow both our revenue and workforce by around 35%.”

James Hutton Pressings will continue to trade but with its remaining line of work, expanded polystyrene. The operation will continue from its existing premises.