Automotive engineering company, MarchantCain is investing £200,000 in its future growth and looking to expand its team from 16 to 50 over the next four years.
Described as one of Coventry’s ‘best kept engineering secrets’, MarchantCain design and manufacture parts for several of the world’s best-known luxury car makers and start-up OEMs.
MarchantCain specialises in mechatronic systems – such as the technology within a vehicle’s door that lowers and raises the window, and devices to redirect airflow around the car to aid aerodynamic performance and fuel efficiency.
It designed and made an underbody actuator for the Porsche 918 Spyder and the world’s first installation of electro-chromatic glass and controls in moving side glass for the Bentley Grand Limousine.
Its recent growth has been supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce through the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme.
The Chamber has helped to secure a grant of £40,000 through Coventry City Council towards the MarchantCain’s investment in new equipment and a reconfiguring of its headquarters to make space for more staff.
Tom Meredith, who joined the company as an apprentice four years ago and is now the company’s group finance director, said the firm has recently had to recruit more engineers to fuel its growth.
He said: “We have a growth plan that takes us to 2021 which would see us 50-strong. Of course, we are competing with other automotive manufacturers and suppliers in the region for great people, but we believe we offer a really exciting career where no two projects are the same.”
As well as providing support for the company’s growth, Pam Cain – of MarchantCain – has been working with Martyne Manning, head of policy at the Chamber to highlight the issue of migrant workers and the potential loss of skills on the back of Brexit. Support will be provided to address these issues.
Helena Bassett, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, commented: “MarchantCain is a fantastic success story for the city and, yet, they are one of the best kept secrets too. They have been pro-active in looking for support because they can see the benefit it can bring to their business and their growth.”
