New jobs to be created by robotics specialist

From left: Andy Moss of Ricosta Capital, Steve Grice of UKSE and Mechatronic managing director Tony Parker-Watkins

Birmingham-based Mechatronic Production Systems Ltd, an automation specialist in robotics, is preparing to create new jobs after receiving £200,000 in funding from business lender UKSE. The company located in the Kings Norton Business Centre, will add seven new roles to boost its current staffing level of 35 after securing the funds to meet growing demand from manufacturers seeking to increase productivity by automating their facilities.

Mechatronic supplies factory production and robotic process automation to some of the world’s leading automotive, industrial, medical device and aerospace companies. Mechatronic aims to expand its operation following the backing from social impact funder UKSE, which works with companies across the West Midlands unable to secure investment from mainstream banks.

Celebrating 35 years of trading, Mechatronic offers customers full turnkey and automated solutions from concept to installation through to training and service support. This year also sees the 10-year anniversary of the launch of Robopod, Mechatronic’s flagship product providing customers with a modular and portable ”plug and play” robotic solution which can be linked to form a flexible production line or operated in isolation to automate a process.

Managing director Tony Parker-Watkins, who led a management buy-out in 2022, said: “We have a strong sales pipeline and want to focus on business growth with more personnel. With this investment we can grow as a business as we continue to serve our clients, many of whom are or supply leading blue chip companies.

“We have an experienced and loyal team here at Mechatronic and will continue to look for and support engineers of the future by offering work experience placements, employing young apprentices and university placement students to develop their skills in automation which is an exciting and interesting industry. The team at UKSE have been great to work with. Knowledgeable about funding, they understand how our orders can fluctuate and recognise the opportunities ahead which we are trying to harness.”

Boosting the economy
Providing strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1 million to generate growth, create jobs and boost the economy, UKSE’s team based in Cannock supports SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford.

UKSE Midlands area manager Steve Grice said: “We are pleased to have taken this fantastic opportunity to support Mechatronic in the next exciting phase of their growth story. With a strong track record in innovation and a pipeline of new business to realise, Tony and the team are the kind of business we aim to support to benefit the West Midlands economy. UKSE has a mission to enable businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper, so we look forward to seeing Mechatronic build further success.”

UKSE was introduced to Mechatronic by Andy Moss of Ricosta Capital. He said: “It was a pleasure to work with UKSE to ensure Mechatronic were able to get the support needed to increase these skilled jobs in the West Midlands. Working together, we have delivered a funding package to a great Birmingham based business that has a strong future.”

UKSE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel UK Ltd with a mission to enable and encourage businesses and the people behind them to create jobs, grow and prosper, within communities affected by current or historic changes in the steel industry and its jobs. UKSE supports the local economy by making equity investments, ensuring management stays in control of the business, and offers a flexible exit policy. Unsecured loans up to £200,000 are also available, often without the need for personal guarantees.

UKSE provides investment in scenarios including the purchase of new equipment, business acquisitions, expansions and management buyouts. Since 1975, UKSE has invested over £115 million, helping 8,000 businesses and stimulating the creation of 83,000 new jobs. The UKSE support for Mechatronic comes after the firm secured £350,000 of Midlands Engine Investment Fund II funds through manager Frontier Development Capital (FDC).