Sewtec has signed a 15-year agreement to lease an existing building in Silkwood Park near junction 40 of M1, which is more than double the size of its current premises in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
A multi-million pound investment will see Sewtec create a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility. Expected to be operational by March 2020, all 130 employees will relocate and the business estimates that more than 70 new jobs will be created at the site in the next three years.
This July, Sewtec announced its turnover had more than doubled to a record £28m with EBITDA of £9m, in the year to 30 June 2019. The company is now aiming to deliver a turnover of £50m by 2023.
Sewtec designs, manufactures, installs and commissions complex industrial automation systems for global blue-chip clients in the pharmaceutical, personal care, pet care, food and beverage and tobacco industries. More than 85 per cent of the company’s sales are exports. Sewtec’s clients include Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Imperial Tobacco, Tata Global Beverages and Hershey.
Sewtec’s rapid growth follows a successful management buyout in August 2017, which was backed by Leeds-headquartered private equity firm Endless.
Commenting on the relocation, Sewtec managing director, Mark Cook, said: “This is an excellent, modern facility which will transform how Sewtec operates and help us further realise our potential.
“Client demand for our bespoke automation machinery continues to grow at pace and in many global markets. The investment will provide us with space to meet this demand and increase our manufacturing capability.
“It will also enable us to attract and retain more highly skilled engineers, as well as benefiting the local community through apprenticeships, supplier networks and our school outreach programme. This is an exciting time for Sewtec and we will enter 2020 with the momentum required to achieve our 2023 growth target.”
The new facility will include modern R&D and office spaces, with breakout areas to further enhance innovation and problem-solving. Plans also include new production and quality control offices plus a significant increase in the assembly area, machine shop, fabrication bays and stores.
The building and all the planned enhancements will maintain Sewtec’s commitment to sustainability and minimising the company’s environmental footprint.
Sewtec has enlisted the services of local companies to acquire and deliver the facilities. Following an extensive search for suitable premises, Leeds-based chartered surveyors Fox Lloyd Jones (FLJ) advised on the building acquisition which was on an off-market basis.
FLJ is retained to project manage the improvements supported by Enjoy Design architects and Triangle Consulting Engineers, which are located in Leeds and Tadcaster respectively
