Northampton-based high-tech manufacturing company igus today formally opens its newly-expanded premises. The engineering support facility has almost doubled in size from 672sqm to 1,000sqm with the creation of a new upper floor that will accommodate a growing sales and technical support team, while freeing up ground-floor space for the engineering team to meet demand for fully assembled products.
The company, which employs 110 people, specialises in the production of sophisticated plastic components including bearings and chains that enable the movement of mechanisms in numerous applications, ranging from automotive plants to theme parks.
A six-figure sum has been invested in the expansion, which will not only create more space for current engineering but will also allow the company to add significantly to its workforce in the future.
The expansion comes just a year after the company celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK.
Matthew Aldridge, managing director, said: “By listening closely to the needs of our customers throughout the UK, we have continuously developed the range of products and services we offer and this has led to successive years of double-digit growth in our turnover. As UK industries embrace ever more efficient manufacturing methods, we have seen particularly strong demand for ready-assembled packages that can be quickly and cost-effectively deployed on site. As a result, we reached the limit of our available space and rather than moving to new premises we opted to expand, which gives everybody more space in which to work. If business levels continue to grow at their current rate we will need to recruit more employees, which this new open workspace enables us to do.”
Unlike many manufacturing environments, igus operates in an open-plan workspace, which is designed to encourage employee engagement, collaboration and sharing of ideas. Almost 20 different nationalities are represented within igus’ diverse workforce. The company also runs a number of initiatives to support young engineers, including an apprenticeship programme and provision of products to students and researchers working on projects ranging from hyperloop and robotics to motor racing and medicine.
For more information about igus, please visit: www.igus.co.uk or call igus directly on 01604 677240.
