A pressings specialist based in Shrewsbury has announced the start of a multi-million-pound investment in the latest lightweighting technology.

Formerly known as Salop Design & Engineering, the company has been rebranded as SDE Technology in recognition of the importance of this new phase of growth.

Lightweighting is regarded as a top priority for manufacturers today, as they move towards a mix of lighter and more-advanced materials for structural parts, which will have a direct impact on cost and weight.

The company said that the investment will help it to expand its portfolio of engineering solutions.

The family-owned firm, which employs about 100 people, specialises in metal pressings for the automotive, aerospace, transport and architecture sectors.

It currently has an annual turnover of more than £12 million and would like to double its sales inside five years.

Its investments this year have already passed the £1 million mark, and the focus is now on four key areas — pressings, powder coating, fabrications and haulage.

CEO Richard Homden said: “We recognise that we need to keep investing in order to face up to the global challenges of today’s business world.

"When my father founded the firm 50 years ago in the town, he started with a handful of colleagues producing metal pressings for the automotive and transport sector.

"We will be refreshing the Shropshire head office with our new corporate identity logo in the coming days.

"We are also launching a new Web site (www.sde.technology), which sets out our vision for the future and explains how we are looking to become a Tier One supplier to customers and OEMs in a wide range of industry sectors.”