Warwickshire-based Lontra, a ‘pioneer’ in advanced engineering technologies relating to compressor design and manufacture, has opened a purpose-built advanced manufacturing centre in Napton, in partnership with Shield Group.

This is the first phase of a rapid expansion plan driven by exports, and Lontra is seeking to develop several advanced manufacturing centres, a global technology centre, assembly facilities and a ‘digitally driven’ services centre.

The advanced manufacturing facility will compliment the company’s existing R&D Technology Centre, enabling the firm to “better address a £69 billion market for compressed air in 150 countries” through its rapidly growing distributor network.

The ‘state of the art’ facility is part of a new-build high-tech manufacturing and research park.

Lontra (www.lontra.co.uk) is working towards “a collaborative UK industry and Government investment proposal worth £70 million”, to further expand its R&D and manufacturing further in the Midlands and the North, launch a new digital services facility in London and build several assembly plants around the UK, creating thousands of high-value jobs.

Lontra, the company behind the Blade Compressor — “the first new gas compressor design in nearly 80 years” — will use the facility to expand its manufacturing capabilities.

With the backing of Shield Group, which supplies components to many major OEMs — including Caterpillar, Cummins, Aston Martin, Borg Warner, Ford and JCB — the project is expected to make “a significant impact on the local and UK economy”.