Bradford-based Univer Manufacturing Co (www.univer.co.uk) — part of the TecnAir Group — has completed a £2.45 million project (including a £440,000 grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership) to overhaul a former Bradford Council building in Shipley and turn it into a ‘state of the art’ manufacturing facility.

The 24,000ft² site houses the latest CNC machines and has increased the company’s manufacturing capabilities, enabling it to create 20 new jobs and win a number of new export contracts.

Established in 1988, the family-run company makes standard and specialist pneumatic products, gas modules, vehicle fleet safety products and systems for armoured vehicles.

It has grown to become the largest specialist pneumatic manufacturing business in the UK, with production facilities in Europe and other parts of the world, including Australia and China.

Managing director Dominic Pix said: “The grant meant that our latest facility has been completed to an exceptional standard.

"By choosing to give new life to a former Bradford Council building that had been empty for a long period, rather than purchase a new build, we were able to invest additional funds in the latest CNC technology.

“The new CNC machines will allow us to manufacture more-complex parts, faster and more efficiently than with conventional machines.

"Our R&D team also works from the new site, which has allowed our prototype times to be improved.

"We are becoming increasingly more competitive and with this new facility at the centre of our growth plans, we hope to double our sales over the next five years.”

Univer has had a second grant approved for the purchase of another disused Bradford Council building, adjacent to the Shipley site.

This will enable the business to consolidate in one location and will lead to even greater efficiencies.