Guhring (www.guhring.co.uk), a world-leading manufacturer of precision cutting tools, officially opened its new £12 million UK headquarters on 9 June at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH).

The new 60,000ft² facility expands Guhring’s support for global clients that include BMW, JLR, Ford, Nissan, Airbus and BAE Systems.

Moreover, the company has plans to double in size within the next five years, with both skilled and entry-level positions being created.

The building was officially opened by Joerg Guhring, chairman and CEO of the Guhring Group, which is based in Albstadt, Southern Germany.

Mike Dinsdale, managing director of Guhring Ltd, said: “The UK was the location for Guhring’s first subsidiary outside Germany; now the group has in excess of 70 similar production and service operations throughout the world.

“Creating a new facility in Birmingham is a major step towards meeting the company’s strategic focus to strengthen our global presence. Guhring’s new UK headquarters will allow the company to further expand both its manufacturing, regrinding and R&D offering.

“Birmingham’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities are world-class, and locating in the Advanced Manufacturing Hub will ensure we can easily access local supply-chain networks and a wide pool of skilled engineers, and easily connect with target markets in the UK and internationally.”

The AMH — one of six Economic Zones established by Birmingham City Council — is designed to accelerate growth specifically within the advanced manufacturing sector by offering incentives such as simplified planning, gap funding and recruitment support.

Guhring has relocated from Castle Bromwich and is the second foreign direct investment project to join the hub; HydraForce, a US manufacturer of hydraulics, opened a new 120,000ft² factory there in 2015.