Warrington-based pipeline inspection equipment specialist Mini-Cam (www.minicam.co.uk) has increased its production capacity by investing in a new factory in Austria.

The purpose-built unit has been developed for its subsidiary company InPipe Innovation at a cost of 500,000 euros. This has allowed InPipe to move from a small workshop to a 7,500ft² facility in the Alpine village of Riezlern, Kleinwalsertal, near the German border.

The new facility is managed by Dietmar Jochum and currently has eight staff, with further recruitment planned. Mini-Cam managing director Nigel Wilson said the site will play a key part in the firm’s growth.

It is used for the mechanical design and manufacture of precision parts and the pre-assembly of Mini-Cam’s range of crawler and push camera inspection systems, which are used in underground surveys in more than 40 countries.

Final assembly takes place at Mini-Cam’s headquarters in Warrington.

Mr Wilson said the expanded InPipe operation will enable the company to hold more stock in Europe to meet growing demand. “This new building gives us a strong European presence and room for expansion.

“Austria and southern Germany are renowned world-wide as being centres of engineering excellence, so being in this location also gives us access to the latest machining techniques and skilled staff.

“It’s a very exciting development for Mini-Cam, as we embark on our next phase of development.”