Renishaw commits to South Wales site with investment plans

The company purchased the 193 acre site last year at a cost of £7.7 million and started a single-shift of production in May 2012 following a further £7.5 million investment in the refurbishment of 68,500 sq ft of space and the purchase of 17 of the latest computer numerically controlled (CNC) metal cutting machine tools. Currently the site is making metal components for a range of Renishaw's precision measurement systems used in industrial applications. Due to increasing production demand at Miskin a second shift commenced in August and recruitment has now started for a third shift operation which will commence before the end of 2012. Renishaw sees the site as providing additional capacity to enable it to meet its longer term manufacturing needs and the opportunity to source skilled employees from a wide geographic area due to the site's prime location close to the M4 motorway and Cardiff. The refurbished area (pictured) features full air-conditioning, a ceiling structure designed to reduce noise, and a state-of-the art extraction system to eliminate airborne contaminants. Renishaw has also announced that it is set to submit a planning application for two million sq ft of development at the Miskin site. If successful the proposal has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, generated by Renishaw's own expansion and the new businesses that would be attracted to the 77 hectare site. The company intends to occupy 19 hectares of the site and 58 hectares will be put out for sale to fund the further expansion of activities on Renishaw's retained land. The plan outlines proposals which include a 1 million sq ft warehouse and a new business park. The space could include manufacturing, research and development, office and distribution and will target engineering and logistics firms and their supply chains. The plans also include provision for Renishaw to build an additional 400,000 sq ft of manufacturing, research and development facilities for its further expansion. Renishaw is announced that as part of its 2012 apprentice intake, it has recruited six second-year apprentices from Bridgend College, who are currently undertaking their training at the company's manufacturing sites in Gloucestershire.