Millions for manufacturing creates jobs and secures futures for Rochdale businesses

Dunphy Combustion – New 50,000sqft Research Facility

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Rochdale based manufacturers Dunphy Combustion, Hanson Springs, Farrel Limited, Taylor Engineering & Plastics and Simkiss Control Systems have all been successful in applying for funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

As a result of receiving the funding Dunphy Combustion is developing a new £1.8M research centre so it can continue to lead the way in developing low carbon combustion technologies.

Managing Director Sharon Kuligowski said: “We already have a large technology centre which we opened in 1998 but we need this new facility if we are to be able to retain our competitive advantage. Development and innovation in bio technology is moving quickly and this will ensure our research keeps ahead of international competitor activity and market demand. Getting the grant also means we will be able to employ 43 new staff including engineers, welders and electricians.”

Family owned business Hanson Springs is developing a new 90,000 square feet facility on the Trans Pennine Trading Estate on Gorrells Way in Rochdale. The new plant will mean it can expand its manufacturing capacity and introduce new production lines. The company, established in Rochdale in 1963, employs 180 people and the investment will generate another 50 jobs within the company and more in the supply chain. It expects to see a £6m rise in sales as a result of the investment.

Farrel Limited employs 170 people at its Queensway site. The company makes rubber mixing machinery, mainly for export, and needs to invest in its manufacturing equipment to meet demand having won new customers.

Peter Gaskell, the Site Director says: “Farrel is enjoying inward investment and has now completed the first stage of investment into a new machining centre with a value of over £1.15million. The machine is now being integrated into the manufacturing process delivering essential lean benefits of modern manufacturing to enable Farrel to continue to compete internationally. Stage two, a second machining centre, is already committed and will commence installation this month. The additional support from the RGF gives Rochdale a welcome advantage to encourage investment in the UK plant.”

Taylor Engineering & Plastics is also buying additional machinery so it can increase its manufacturing output to meet global demand and compete with European companies.

Scott Taylor, Manufacturing Director at the company, said: “By investing in new equipment we are ensuring that we have the available capacity to meet the demands of our markets over the next five years. In doing so we are not only safeguarding existing jobs, but also creating a further 25 positions. We are a strategic supplier to our customers and must be in a position to meet global demand or we are at risk of losing business to our European competitors.”

Simkiss Control Systems, based on Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton, design, manufacture, install and commission electrical control panels. Having won significant new contracts, including supplying a major off shore windfarm project in North Wales, the company needs to buy additional manufacturing space so it can expand production.

Managing Director, Paul Simkiss, said: “This is a really exciting time for us and a great opportunity to expand our premises and buy the unit. We are creating 15 new highly skilled jobs and 22 in the supply chain plus the investment will help safeguard a further 15. Without this investment we would fall short on space and manufacturing capacity and wouldn’t be able to deliver the large volumes of equipment we need to satisfy demand.”

Julie Evans of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) and Geoff Hancock from Access to Finance worked with the companies to submit their bids.

Phil Ewbank, Chairman of RDA, said: “This money is going to make a significant difference to these companies and will help them continue to compete in their respective market places for the foreseeable future. We are now working with others on their applications to the latest round of the Regional Growth Fund and we hope to have as much success again.”

“Rochdale has an excellent reputation for attracting manufacturing companies and the fact that these businesses are now able to invest further in their future and create new jobs is great news,” said Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning.

He added: “The borough is increasingly recognised as a great place to invest with four million square feet of space being taken up over the last couple of years. The Council and Rochdale Development Agency are committed to doing as much as they can to attract businesses and investors to the borough as well as supporting those already here.”

The money has been made available through the government's Regional Growth Fund, supported and delivered by the Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and The Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Mike Blackburn, chairman of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Greater Manchester Investment Fund supports projects that drive economic growth and assist in the creation of new, sustainable jobs. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has supported these five projects in Rochdale through Regional Growth Funding. They are all in the manufacturing sector and will create new jobs in the Greater Manchester area, contributing to the economic growth of the region.”