Kingswinford-based John Handley Bearings, a manufacturer and distributor of bearings, has moved and expanded its operations — more than doubling the size of its previous industrial unit.

The company has moved from Wombourne to the nearby Pensnett Estate, from where the family-run business will supply linear bearings, split bearings, rod ends and plain bearings that are used in applications in sectors such as motor-sport, mining, oil and gas and food production.

The company, which supplies products on behalf of two major bearings manufacturers — Thomson Linear and NSK — took a 15-year lease for the 7,500ft² unit, which is owned and managed by commercial property and investment group LCP.

The move follows a sustained period of growth after being acquired (12 months ago) by the Bowman Group, which supplies OEMs, stockists and distributors across a wide range of industries world-wide.

Lucie Tait-Harris, John Handley Bearings commercial director (www.johnhandleybearings.com), said the company needed a larger facility, as there had been a significant investment in stock since Bowman Group acquired the business.

“The Pensnett Estate ticked every box. Many of our customers are based in the Midlands — with a number of customers being located on the estate itself — so it didn’t make any sense to move away from this part of the West Midlands.”