Engineering firm to create jobs after relocation
An engineering firm says it hopes to take on new staff as it expands into larger premises in the Black Country, in a deal brokered by Bulleys.
Workrest Blades has move from its present base in Smethwick into 3,300 sq ft of space at Unit 5 of Varney Business Park at Spon Lane in West Bromwich.
The firm manufactures, repairs and refurbishes specialist parts used in the grinding of cylindrical components, with leading customers including Rolls-Royce Engines, Ford, Nissan, Sandvic and De Beers.
Workrest Blades was formed in 1969, but former managing director Neal Lanchbury’s retirement plans means he and his wife Gill have now transferred ownership to their daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and David Giles.
David Giles, the new managing director at Workrest Blades, said: “Running my own business was always something I wanted to do but the opportunity never came along until now.
“Neal kindly said to me and Andrea ‘would you like to take on the company and continue its success’, and we were delighted to say yes.
“This move is connected to what is already an expanding business and I will be using my sales skills to help grow the company’s revenue.”
Giles, who formerly worked for BMW in Tamworth, added: “Workrest Blades currently has a workforce of six, and if things continue to grow we will definitely have to take on new staff in the year ahead.”
Lanchbury said: “I’m very proud of everyone here at Workrest Blades for how they have helped me build up such a successful company.
“I’m now very happy to be handing the company on to David and Andrea, who I’m sure will work hard to continue its progress.
“We’re also very grateful to Angela at Bulleys for working so hard to help us find such an excellent new base for the company.”
Angela Holland, agency assistant at Bulleys, said: “Workrest Blades is experiencing a healthy increase in orders for its specialist engineering business.
“We’ve enjoyed helping the company to find the best property for its expansion plans and now look forward to watching the new owners continue its growth.”
