Member Article

Plans for new robotic engineering £1m factory in Warwickshire

An innovative engineering company in Warwickshire is applying for planning permission to build a new £1 million factory and buy state-of-the-art technology as part of a nationwide government funding scheme.

Cyber-Weld Ltd is submitting plans to Stratford District Council to move from its current 6,500 sq ft home in Southam Road, Long Itchington, into a purpose-built 15,000 sq ft unit in Holywell Business Park Phase 2 in Southam.

The robotic welding engineers have received a £100,000 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) which is supported by the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) towards their move and the purchase of the latest technology and licenses.

Fraser Reid, managing director of Cyber-Weld, set-up the business 14 years ago and after initially being based in a barn, the company moved to Southam Road in 2010.

He said the 14-strong business is now ready to take the next step-up as it supplies and commissions robotic welding systems in various industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to nuclear and retail packaging.

“We have purchased the land which will include a roadway in Southam and the new premises will cost £1 million because we want to increase the size of our two current buildings as well as invest in new technology,” he said. “The grant from the RGF is a great deal of money and has been a big help.

“We need to buy the latest software and licenses for SolidWorks and 3D modelling and the latest digital displays in engineering.

“I have always wanted to formalise everything we do at one, modern site after slowly building up the business.

“We have already created three graduate technical jobs and want to employ another three technicians over the next three years and a couple of fabricators welders.

“Ninety per cent of our business is based in the UK and the remaining 10 per cent of our products we export but we hope to increase that following our move.

“Training is really important. Half our workforce is over 45 and they are passing on their skills to their younger colleagues because it is important we don’t lose their valuable knowledge.

“That’s why we invest in young people and pay for their training – we currently have three apprentice’s training in various colleges across the Midlands. We are presently setting up another two for a September start.

“The plans are drawn-up for the new factory and are ready to be submitted to Stratford District Council and if we receive planning permission, we hope to open in spring next year.”

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, CWLEP board director and leader of Warwickshire County Council, said the grants from the RGF were making a real difference to SMEs in numerous sectors across Coventry and Warwickshire.

She said: “It was really interesting to hear about the state-of-the-art technology being used to programme robotic welding systems and the wide range of services which Cyber-Weld provides.

“Fraser’s plans to more than double its premises will take the company into a new era as well as creating new jobs and providing a skilled workforce.

“The CWLEP is committed to boosting the economy and creating jobs and Cyber-Weld is a perfect example of this happening.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .