Brighouse-based Siddall and Hilton Products, a welded steel mesh manufacturer, has started 2021 by pressing the button on its largest investment in 12 years. The company, which has been trading for 125 years, has bought a £2 million specialist welding machine that will increase capacity and efficiency at its manufacturing facility and create 12 new jobs.

The £18 million turnover company dates back to 1895 and is the UK’s largest manufacturer of welded steel mesh for high-security fencing, general fencing and industrial mesh panels, processing over 1,500 tonnes of wire a month.

Currently employing 51 people, it is seeing sustained growth following a management buyout in August 2019. Under the leadership of chief executive Ian Thurley, the management team has undertaken a programme of operational improvements.

The new machine will play a key part in bringing about further efficiencies and enabling the business to expand production in addition to creating the 12 full-time manufacturing roles. The investment has been funded by Siddall and Hilton’s primary lenders, ABN Amro.

Mr Thurley said: “This exciting new phase in the company’s development also means we will be expanding our team and we are actively recruiting mesh operators as we will need to increase our total headcount by 25%.

“We know our success is dependent on having a committed and engaged workforce and we will be looking for people to train as the next generation of managers and engineers to take the business forward as we continue to expand.”