Wales-based Ifor Williams Trailer — Europe’s largest manufacturer of trailers — has created 150 new jobs, as it ramps
up production to meet strong demand for its HBX and HBE horseboxes, which were launched world-wide last September.

The company is looking for extra staff to fill vacancies at all its four sites — in Cynwyd, Corwen, Sandycroft and on Deeside Industrial Estate. It currently employs around 600 people.

The company has also been running a summer placement programme to give students work experience.

The aim is to attract young people who might not otherwise consider working in manufacturing.

The design of the aluminium-built HBX trailer took its inspiration from the automotive industry, with a nod to the
‘sophisticated ruggedness’ of the Range Rover and its ‘floating roof’.

Demand is also high for the company’s other ranges, including livestock trailers, car transporters, ‘business in a box’ trailers and general-duty trailers.

As a result, the company is looking to recruit people for a wide range of jobs, including production managers, production operatives, welders, design engineers and admin staff.

Business development manager Peter Nesbitt said: “We were always confident that horse owners would love the new horseboxes, but it is fair to say that the reaction has exceeded all our expectations.

“The feedback was absolutely fantastic, and among the features that particularly impressed people was the fact that you can attach an awning and that the rear ramp can also be opened as a door.

“However, the demand for trailers is not confined to the horseboxes — far from it.

“We are seeing demand across our ranges, from all over the UK and world-wide.”