Brintons checks out of China and pumps £3m into Midlands facilities

CARPET maker Brintons has turned its back on production in China and is investing £3m in new facilities in the West Midlands.

The 230 year old firm is investing £3m into its Kidderminster plant and another £1m into its facility in Telford. The money is mainly to be invested in new equipment.

The Kidderminster firm, now owned by US private equity firm Carlyle Group, has selected its plant in the town for the next phase of expansion of its high definition weave technology.

And it plans to expand its spinning facility in Telford following the decision by Axminster Carpets to close its operation in Buckfast and sell off equipment.

Brintons manufactures in the UK, Portugal and India, having made the decision to sell its Chinese operation to focus on existing plants. 

The firm employs more than 500 people in the UK across its Kidderminster and Telford sites and this latest investment will create new jobs in both locations.

Brintons managing director Don Coates said: “Our brand reputation is built on design innovation, product excellence, technical expertise and customer focus; it’s essential we continue to invest in all of these areas to ensure our future success.

High definition weave is pioneering technology developed by Brintons that allows it to weave carpets and rugs in up to 32 colours.

Brintons has also announced the launch of the Brintons Apprenticeship programme. The firm will be recruiting around eight engineering apprentices between the Telford and Kidderminster sites. 

Coates added: “We have just filed our company accounts that report a significant turnaround, so we are in a strong position to invest in our people, products and our unrivalled technology. 

Last year, the firm cut about 100 jobs in Kidderminster and Telford but it has experienced something of a change in fortunes of late, largely based on export success.

The firm has worked on major contracts international contracts including hotels in Russia and Australia.