West Yorkshire-based Sewtec Automation, a specialist precision engineering company, which designs and manufactures bespoke automation solutions for a wide range of industries, has completed its move to a multi-million-pound 75,000ft² ‘state of the art’ design and manufacturing facility in Wakefield.

The new location is more than double the total size of its seven previous sites in Dewsbury and design office in Wakefield combined, and its 120 staff are now all based in the one location. There is also adjacent land available for extending the building should growth exceed expectations.

The new facility includes modern R&D and office spaces, with break-out areas to further enhance Sewtec’s inventive approach to problem-solving and also provides new production and quality control offices. The building also significantly increases the sizes if its assembly area, machine shop, fabrication bays and stores, allowing space for future expansion.

This project received investment from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region. As part of the move, Sewtec estimates the new location will eventually create up to 70 more highly skilled jobs.

Mark Cook, Sewtec managing director, said: “The move to our new facility is hugely significant as it provides the launchpad for the continued implementation of our ambitious growth plans.

“By moving to this new location, we have been able to bring all our people together under one roof in an excellent design and manufacturing environment, increase our capacity and improve our operational efficiencies. Just as importantly, we now have a facility which showcases our capabilities and has created an immensely positive impression on existing and potential customers, partners and suppliers, and future employees who have visited us.

“We plan to build on this by hosting open house events, and customer and supplier days which will enhance the understanding of our capabilities.

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19, we’re experiencing growing demand for our inventive approach to automation, both here in the UK and overseas. Our new facility will enable us to maximise our potential and meet that growing demand.”