German engineering firm commits to Hull in ten-year deal
AN ENGINEERING firm which produces components predominantly for the Aerospace industry, has signed a ten-year deal to continue operating from its factory in Hull.
Böllhoff Armstrong, based in Foster Street, on the Stoneferry Estate, manufactures wire thread inserts which are used in precision engineering industries such as aerospace, automotive, rail, defence and power generation.
The company, which originated in Beverley and became Armstrong Precision Components, was bought out by family-owned German manufacturer Böllhoff in 2010.
The ten-year extension deal is an indication of confidence in both the local workforce, and the city, according to managing director Leigh Burgoyne.
“The commitment of our head office in Germany to staying at our base here in Hull is a real signal of confidence in the quality of the workforce we have developed here over many years, and of course the city itself,” Burgoyne said, who has led the Hull operation for 17 years.
“Obviously, when the business was bought by Böllhoff in 2010, there was some concern here that come the end of our lease in 2014, the decision may be taken to centralise the business and move production back to Germany.
“However, we have developed a supremely efficient manufacturing team here, able to produce 80,000 Helicoil inserts a day, and 18 million a year, each manufactured to the very highest standards. It is precision engineering in its purest form and the quality of that workmanship has been recognised by the company committing to this site for the next 10 years and ensuring this city retains very highly skilled, valuable jobs.”
Burgoyne said Böllhoff Armstrong has now set its sights firmly on future growth and development.
“There are many opportunities for us to expand upon what we do at this site, for us to grow and create more jobs,” he said.
“Our strategy for growth is focussed on the aerospace sector. As a group, our emphasis is on developing new applications using the latest manufacturing technology. We have an excellent reputation with our extensive customer base and also within our own group. We will build on this to become the Böllhoff Group Centre for Aerospace Excellence.”
The firm’s customer portfolio includes Rolls Royce, Airbus, UTAS and Siemens, to which it supplies products for power generation units. The Hull factory is the sole UK manufacturer of the world renowned Helicoil brand of wire thread inserts – of which between 3,500 and 4,000 go into nearly every Rolls Royce Aero engine produced.
Director of Stoneferry Estates, the developer which has recently completed the regeneration of the former Humbrol site on Hedon Road, Tom Healey, said: “It is really encouraging that international companies such as Böllhoff see a bright future for Hull.
“Knowing them well, it’s great to see their enthusiasm for a city that they care deeply about, and having been aware that Böllhoff had the opportunity to move the business to Germany really shows the international attraction and competiveness Hull now has.
“During the 1990s we as developers had the vision to redevelop the former Reckitt Coleman site as we saw the business potential the site had.
“This ethos continues today with our recent developments at the former Humbrol and the Hedon Road Maternity Hospital sites. We are confident that these two projects will enjoy similar success, and will certainly add value to Hull’s future economy and prosperity.”
Stoneferry Estates is also due to start work on the £25m Kingston Parklands business park, opposite where German wind turbine giants Siemens will be based, in November.
Long-term predictions are that the overall complex will employ around 500 workers, with a focus being placed on attracting companies in the supply chain to Siemens.
