Transmission specialist Xtrac is aiming to recruit a record number of employees, planning a recruitment campaign in the Thames Valley region and open day for potential recruits.
The company hired more than 40 staff in 2011 and currently has over 25 job vacancies. Once filled, this will bring the headcount to more than 280 – the highest in the company’s history.
The company, founded 28-years ago to design and manufacture all-wheel drive systems for Rally Cross cars, is planning an open day for potential recruits at its premises on Saturday February 4th.
“All recruits are entitled to participate in the share scheme after serving a year with the company, when every employee becomes a shareholder through our Employee Shareholder Trust and can share in the success of the business,” said Jane Gilham, head of human resources.
“Even though we’re continually expanding, our workforce tends to be very stable and the average length of service is over 10-years with minimal turnover.”
Xtrac posted record revenues for the 2011 financial year and says it is building a record order book for 2012. The company is investing in new machine tools, increasing the size of its build shop, adding to its R&D test laboratory and investing in more analysis and simulation computers.
“We need more people to support existing customers in the multi-billion dollar global motorsport industry and increasingly to support new customers in other automotive and transport engineering sectors,” said managing director Peter Digby.
The UK-owned company has facilities in the US, where it serves the IndyCar and NASCAR series, and is headquartered in ‘Motor Sport Valley’ near Thatcham in Berkshire.
“We’re typically getting a dozen applicants for each professional engineering position in an industry where we have to compete with Formula 1 race teams, car makers and other hi-tech engineering companies,” says Ms Gilham. “That increases to more than 80 applicants for each apprenticeship, undergraduate and post-graduate position, which are highly sought after.”
The recruitment open day event is targeted at experienced CNC machinists, assembly technicians and fitters, design engineers, research and development engineers, technicians, project managers, apprentices, undergraduates and newly qualified graduates.
Xtrac’s open day takes place from 9am to 1pm on Saturday 4 February at Gables Way, Kennet Park, Thatcham in Berkshire. See www.xtrac.com for information about registration.
