Precision engineering company Renishaw is set to create hundreds of jobs if its planning application for a development 10 times the size of Buckingham Palace near Cardiff, Wales, is approved.
Renishaw has so far invested £15m in the site to produce metal components.
It is set to add another shift buy the end of this year and will begin to manufacture its 3D printing machines from January 2013 as global demand for these new products grows.
Renishaw purchased the facility and surrounding land in September 2011 for £7.5m and recently refurbished around 15% of the space available to commence manufacturing in May 2012.
The company has future plans to build an additional 400,000 sq ft of manufacturing, research and development facilities for its further expansion.
The site was formerly owned by automotive products manufacturer Robert Bosch but will now be regenerated by Renishaw for its own expansion after it started manufacturing on the site in May, and use by businesses attracted to the 77 hectare site.
The site in Miskin, near Cardiff, will house a one million sq ft warehouse and a new business park. The space will include manufacturing, research and development, office and distribution with Renishaw targeting engineering and logistics firms and their supply chains.
Renishaw has created 229 jobs during the last year with revenues increasing by 15%.
With over 10% growth in a number of export markets, Renishaw is looking to expand a number of its facilities following the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Dublin.
Sir David McMurtry, Renishaw’s chairman and chief executive, said that the site has huge potential. “This proposed development could create many hundreds of jobs for local people, both in construction and the resulting new business ventures.”
Sir David added that he expects the site will create major interest among companies seeking to expand in South Wales, with the site located between Cardiff and Swansea.
Renishaw has formed links with Cardiff University, Swansea University, Bridgend College and the University of Wales, Newport to support its research and development programmes.