Up to 30 new jobs look set to be created at a sheet metal manufacturing business as part of a £4 million investment in a new site.
Alpha Manufacturing has broken ground on a 35,000 sq ft facility which is being constructed at Beacon Park, in Stafford.
The new warehouse is being constructed on the back of a newly-formed partnership with global chemical company INEOS Electromechanical Solutions and will be home to Alpha Manufacturing Chemical Technologies.
It will also see up to 30 new jobs created at the company – which is part of the Bri-Stor Group – along with 15 new apprenticeships and 11 higher apprenticeships.
Existing employees from the wider business are also expected to be integrated into the new site.
Alpha Manufacturing CEO Martin Smith: "This new facility symbolises the strength and opportunity we’ve created by working in true partnership with our customer INEOS Electromechanical Solutions.
"This is the culmination of many months of hard work by the team at Alpha Manufacturing, led by our fearless managing director Paul Clews and supported by Rob Eley, our commercial director, and it reflects the close collaboration between our company and INEOS.
"The power of this partnership, which has evolved during the most challenging period in modern history, is testament to the talent, commitment and tenacity of both teams and signifies the joint ambition to create a world class manufacturing facility right here in Stafford.
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"As the Bri-Stor group edges closer to our 40th anniversary, this is a fantastic moment to reflect on our achievements and it gives me a great sense of personal pride to see the group continue to create high-quality engineering jobs, right in the heart of Staffordshire."
He added: "I’d like to thank my colleagues at Alpha for supporting this exciting chapter in our company’s development. We operate in challenging times, but this is a fantastic opportunity and hopefully we can celebrate a future which is both dynamic and bright."
Alpha Manufacturing has been specialising in sheet metal fabrication since 1989 and boasts a wide range of customers from sectors including construction, white goods and healthcare.
The company's ambitious five-year growth plan includes an £8 million investment in production and capability and the creation of up to 100 new jobs.
This includes the opening of a new division – called Alpha Integrated Solutions – at the Hixon Airfield Estate, earlier this year.
Work officially started on the development of the new Beacon Park facility 15 months ago, prior to the pandemic, and it is expected to be completed by April next year.
Managing director Paul Clews said: "INEOS first approached us about our sheet metal capabilities but once they saw how technically advanced we are as a business, they realised that we could cater to all of their needs – and this dedicated facility will allow us to do just that.
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"The chemical sector is quite a new industry for us, but it is an area which we have been looking to expand into for a while. This is just one part of our long-term strategic plan which will allow us to grow our business."
Terry Healy, business unit manager at INEOS Electrochemical Solutions, added: "This development is the culmination of many months of planning and we are delighted to be working with Alpha Manufacturing – a business entirely committed to the delivery of world-class engineering standards.
"Our drive, ambition and commitment to this facility is equally matched and we welcome the opportunity of working with the Alpha team to bring new skills and expertise to Stafford."