Dorset-based
Norco Composites and GRP, a large composite structures and GRP mouldings manufacturer, is expanding and recruiting in all areas in response to significant contracts awarded in the global defence, aerospace, and subsea sectors. GRP is a reinforced polymer made of resin, gelcoat and strengthened by fine fibres of glass matting.
Based at Holton Heath Trading Estate, Norco has grown over the last 35 years from a GRP tank manufacturer to a service-oriented company, offering technical support to defence, aerospace, and marine projects to build large composite structures.
This high-demand expertise has led to significant investment in the existing six facilities and 170 staff, with further growth ongoing as an influx of additional contracts continues into 2023.
Norco’s five-year plan includes further development of the Winfrith site and the specialist training programme for existing and new employees to support future demand.
The various types of work and emphasis on investment in the local community allow employees to increase their skill set and cross-train between departments, increasing further Norco’s technical capability.
Production manager Simon Mitchell said: “I worked my way up to production manager after 22 years at Norco. I began my career by gaining knowledge as a laminator of mouldings and processes and continued to progress to a supervisor and now a management position. Some of my favourite work has used the team’s expertise on specialist applications in the renewable energy sector — testing a 9m tidal turbine blade was a personal highlight.”
Programme manager Steve Ross added: “I joined Norco in 2014 on the shopfloor as a laminator. With the wide variety of projects available, I was able to get involved with creating documents for some of the new projects being worked on. This enabled me to progress to a manufacturing engineer role and then onto production and programme management.
“I have been lucky enough to work on some fantastic projects from marine, through to automotive and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One of the key projects involved building a large carbon fibre flying wing with a 42m wingspan that only weighed 120kg.”
During the next few months, Norco aims to recruit around 10 new staff, bolstering its 170-strong workforce based across several sites in Dorset.
Norco managing director Mark Northey said: “We are able to offer competitive rates of pay along with fantastic benefits and the opportunity for training and career advancement. The defence, aerospace and subsea sectors are in a strong position for the next 10 years, which provides welcomed job security.
“Recuiting more skilled workers is now the key to maintaining growth and we believe that we will achieve this by investing in our local community, by training our staff, supporting local businesses, and local charities such as Julia’s House.”