Relocation sees Grindtec gearing up for growth

BLACK Country manufacturer Grindtec has relocated to larger premises to help it cope with growing demand for its services.

Steve Wood and Darren Armstrong formed Grindtec, which specialises in high precision grinding and machined components, after the engineering company they worked for went out of business.

They bought the machinery and assets from the administrator and took on five staff and targeted customers with whom they had established links.

Now four years later the business has grown and they has relocated to larger premises, taking on a 3,565 sq ft unit at Oldbury’s Springfield Estate, which is owned and managed by London and Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP).

Wood said: “When our employer went under we were faced with being out of work in our late 40s and early 50s which limited the opportunities for finding another job. We decided to use our experience to set up and run our own business with people we had worked with over the years joining us.

“It was on a smaller scale but we knew we could carry on offering a service to our customers. Our faith in our know-how and approach has paid off and we have had to move to a bigger unit to expand.

“Our new base is great, exactly what we wanted and is well located with motorway links. It has also given us space to allow us to have a dedicated inspection department.”

Grindtec specialises in the manufacture of special purpose cutting tools, insert modification and precision ground components in tool steels and tungsten carbide. Its clients come from a range of industries including, aerospace, automotive, medical, nuclear, oil and construction.

Wood added: “We are looking to grow the business further. The economy is still a problem but we are doing well so hopefully when the economy picks up we can go along with it.”