Global manufacturer set for Heywood grand opening

Rick Kreczmer, European Sales Director for Camfil Air Pollution Control

Camfil Air Pollution Control is getting ready for the grand opening of its new £2.4 million facility on Heywood’s Birch Business Park.

Invited guests to the official opening on Tuesday 21 May will get a tour of the 40,000 square feet facility and enjoy entertainment and a hog roast to celebrate the occasion.

Rick Kreczmer, European Sales Director for the company, said: “We chose Heywood because it allows us to be more responsive to customer needs across Europe.

"We already had a small assembly plant in the region but due to limited space we previously had to buy in a lot of components from the US.

"This new, larger factory in Heywood is allowing us to manufacture many components ourselves, drastically reducing lead times and giving a very quick turnaround on orders, which is great for business.

"We had been looking across the UK and internationally for a new site and with Rochdale Development Agency’s help we were able to confirm that Birch Business Park gave us exactly what we needed.”

Camfil Air Pollution Control is part of Swedish company Camfil, the largest air filter manufacturer in the world.

Forty people currently work at the Heywood site but when fully staffed it will employ more than 100 in engineering, manufacturing and support positions. The plant includes a four-bay welding area, fabrication area, powder paint line, assembly area and storage space.

Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, said: “The company were originally considering other locations across Europe including Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany but we have some great business parks here in Rochdale borough.

"Rochdale Development Agency worked really closely with the excellent management team at Camfil to make sure they identified local premises that suited their needs.

“I’m delighted that they’re holding this official opening event as their relocation to Heywood and the jobs they are creating really is something to celebrate.”