Member Article

James Briggs invests £5.5 million in production

Aerosol and consumer chemicals manufacturer James Briggs has secured £2.5 million of RGF money through the Greatert Manchester Combined Authority.

The funding is part of a £5.5 million investment plan to enhance IT systems, improve production automation, add new can printing and labelling technology, upgrade infrastructure and establish a new marketing and development centre.

It follows the management buyout of the firm in June when Jim Sumner arrived as chief executive to support managing director Mark Lyth and finance director Simon Tuley.

This latest funding follows recent investments of £350k in a new chemical storage tank farm and a website upgrade following the management buy out of the business from ITW in June this year.

In addition, James Briggs has recently doubled capacity on a pilot production line as part of a major drive to increase volume output and competitiveness.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: “I heard about James Briggs’ ambitions and was impressed by what I was told. The Regional Growth Fund will help the business to expand and create valuable employment.”

Simon Tuley, financial director at James Briggs, said: “Our growth plans over the next three years will not only ensure job security for current employees but allow us to expand, creating up to 50 new jobs. The funding through GMCA is great news for both James Briggs and our local suppliers.”

Jim Sumner, chairman of James Briggs, added: “This is a truly exciting time at James Briggs. We see a great opportunity to grow the business in both UK and international markets, which is excellent news for our customers, employees and suppliers. I would like to thank GMCA for their support and both Michael Meacher MP and Leader of Oldham Council, Jim McMahon, for their guidance during the bid process.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .