AESseal, a specialist in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals and support systems, has invested almost $16 million in its US operations to increase capacity.

Over the past year, AESseal Inc — owned by Rotherham-based AES Engineering Ltd — has ploughed $11 million into its manufacturing facility in Tennessee, installing six ‘state of the art’ nine-axis machine tools, and it plans to invest another $5 million in its Texas subsidiary, MS&S, which focuses on the oil and gas industry and has out-grown its current location.

The bulk of the investment will finance the construction of a new building that will bring MS&S up to the AESseal standard and raise its profile in the market.

The increased productivity will mean that 85% of the mechanical seals and support systems offered for sale by AESseal will be manufactured in the USA.

CEO Pete Rouleau (www.aesseal.co.uk) said: “This investment represents the confidence the company has in the opportunity for our products in North America, and it recognises the importance of our ability to manufacture in the USA.

"Manufacturing locally will further improve what we already believe is the best customer service in our industry, which ultimately will be to the benefit of our customers.”

Chris Rea, managing director of AES Engineering Ltd, said: “As our US business has grown, we have concluded that investment in the US market is essential to ensure that we continue to be true to our central goal of providing exceptional customer service.

²It is also a sign of confidence in the USA, which is the largest and most dynamic market inthe world.”