Member Article

70 high-skill jobs created near Crewe by automotive designers

70 high-skill jobs are to be created in Cheshire by automotive designers HPL Prototypes (HPLP).

The Coventry-based company develops drivable and non-drivable prototypes for vehicle manufacturers and is in negotiations to acquire land for a new operation on the Redsands site in Wistaston, near Crewe.

HPLP and Cheshire East Council have agreed terms on the sale of 5.5 acres of Redsands, the site of a former children’s centre, next to the junction of the A534 and the A51.

HPLP hopes to employ more than 70 skilled design engineers at the new operation and has indicated that it is keen to work with local educational providers, including the proposed university technical college in Crewe, on a training programme to develop the design engineers of the future.

The sale of the land at Redsands is subject to planning permission and proof of funding.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “We are delighted that HPLP has identified Cheshire East as the right location to expand.

“They are impressed by the strong competitive advantages and track record of Cheshire East for its skilled workforce, existing business base, entrepreneurial spirit, quality of life and its national, regional and local infrastructure.

“HPLP’s arrival would create a platform to attract further investment from the automotive supply chain.

“This is just the kind of investment we need to add to the growing cluster of automotive design and engineering functions in Cheshire East and build on Crewe’s reputation as a world-class centre for engineering and design.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .