Yorkshire-based A-Safe is set for rapid expansion after securing a funding package from HSBC UK. At its 75,000ft².

Elland factory,the company designs and manufacturers polymer protective barriers for car parks, airports, factories and warehouses in Europe, the USA, Asia and the Middle East.

With the backing of HSBC UK, it has purchased new German and Austrian-made machinery that has significantly boosted its production capacity, while also reducing waste.

Currently employing 260 people, A-Safe (www.asafe.com) plans to extend its manufacturing facility in 2020 to provide space for additional production lines and storage (and for another 50 employees).

In addition, the company is taking steps to boost its presence in Italy by commissioning a new distribution centre
in Milan.

Scheduled to be completed in 2020, this will allow the business to react quickly to large orders from customers in Europe.

A-Safe finance director Adrian Banks said: “Since we invented the world’s first fixed polymer safety barrier in 2001, our products and technology have evolved considerably.

“We are now ramping up production of our next-generation safety barriers and introducing them to markets world-wide.”

Mark Watson at HSBC UK said: “A-Safe is a fine example of an innovative Yorkshire business that is keen to make strategic investments to raise productivity and operate in foreign markets.

“This is an exciting time for manufacturing, and we look forward to seeing the business create a significant amount of jobs in the region.”