Gripple, the suspension and wire joining device manufacturer, has opened a dedicated site for Gripple Automation, which produces automated machinery for the group’s own use and for third parties.
Gripple already has a further five sites across the city and recently opened its latest facility at the Dorehouse Industrial Site which is now fully operational.
Darren Beardsmore, managing director of Gripple Automation, explains: “We began as an in-house department making products for Gripple, but demand from other manufacturers has grown rapidly and in the last year our team has multiplied from 20 to 30 people and we expect to create a further 20 jobs in the next three years.
“We recently received a significant order from a global distribution company which accelerated our plans to expand Gripple Automation’s facilities into a dedicated site.
“As part of this new chapter for the business, we are looking to expand our sales team which will generate more orders and will create more posts including designers, project managers and multi skilled engineers and we have also just taken on an engineering apprentice.
“Around 20% of our orders currently come from other companies and we aim to increase that to 50% as part of our three-year plan which will also grow turnover by a further £1million.”
The new location will provide more space for the latest machine-building technology, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine shop, rapid prototyping capabilities and an in-house machining department. There will also be a dedicated point of purchase area and purpose-built offices.
A site at Sheffield’s Foley Street was originally earmarked for the new Gripple Automation operation, but this has since been used to house a facility dedicated to manufacturing one Gripple’s most successful products, Fast Trak, a pre-fabricated bracket solution, used in the construction and building services sectors which has also experienced rapid growth.
Darren adds: “This is an exciting time for Gripple Automation and it is testament to the strength of the business that we’ve been able to continue our growth and expansion plans throughout these testing times.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming more members of the team and more clients to our portfolio over the coming months and years.”
Gripple Automation forms part of 100% employee-owned Gripple and manufactures automation for use in the construction, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, healthcare and FMCG sectors.
