The Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, will today formally open Universal Engineering’s new factory, which will employ 200 highly skilled engineers and fabricators at the Llantrisant site.
Universal Engineering, specialises in designing, developing and manufacturing close tolerance complex assemblies and equipment for the sub-sea, oil and gas sectors, defence, and aerospace industries.
The multi-million pound investment is backed by £2m business finance from the Welsh Government to support the creation of the 200 new jobs. The new 250,000 sq ft facility will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing global demand for its services.
Edwina Hart commented: “Advanced manufacturing is a key sector of the Welsh economy and I welcome this investment by Universal Engineering which is already creating a significant number of high skilled jobs as well as career opportunities for young people.
“Working across a number of highly specialised sectors, Universal Engineering will extend the manufacturing and engineering capabilities in Wales and I am delighted the company chose Wales for their expansion plans.”
The 16-acre site at Llantrisant was selected from a shortlist across the UK and abroad because of its good transport links, which include the nearby deep-water ports at Newport and Cardiff, and the availability of a capable workforce.
Thanking the Minister and the Welsh Goverment for their encouragement and support, Universal Engineering’s Chairman, James Gaggero said: “Advanced engineering is one of the strengths of the British economy. We are energised at the prospect of engaging with the highly skilled workforce in south Wales in building our capabilities in this sector.
“We’re working closely with Coleg Gwent to help us find the right people to ensure international standards are achieved and are especially delighted that 65 have already joined us.”
The company’s Mark Cooper commented: “Our existing customers are asking us to supply more highly specialist products and expert services, while increasing numbers of potential customers are showing close interest in finding out more about what we can deliver from this extraordinary facility.
“The staff at our new factory in Llantrisant will be able to undertake structural steel design, fabrication and complex assemblies for the sub sea oil & gas industry, as well as vehicle chassis and materials handling equipment and a machining capability in support of defence equipment customers.
“Having installed the largest HD plasma profiler in Britain, the company can produce ultra-close tolerance large plate steel parts and we have the capability to fully finish all products with a dedicated large scale paint facility in house.”
