Sales have increased for more than half the West’s small to medium-sized West manufacturers over the past six months, with just over a third also experiencing an increase in inquiries and orders. The upbeat picture emerges from the Manufacturing Advisory Service’s latest Barometer, which also reveals a slight rise in the number of companies...
An ambitious plan is being drawn up to harness Bath and the West of England’s creativity and innovation to potentially create more than 100,000 jobs over the next 17 years. The emphasis will be on five key sectors spanning digital to aerospace, and in which the area is already strong, to drive growth and...
Bosses at Wiltshire manufacturer Avon Rubber today said their strategy to accelerate investment in new products, technologies, systems and people was paying off as they unveiled significant increases in revenues, operating margins and profits. Annual pre-tax profits at the Melksham-based group, best known for its respirators, increased to £14m from £11m on revenues up...
Bath area firms are being advised to check whether they qualify for valuable tax credits under the Government’s research and development (R&D) scheme. West accountancy firm Milsted Langdon, which has an office in Bath, says many firms are unaware they are eligible for the scheme which increases tax relief against taxable profits. To qualify,...
Bath-based BMT Defence Services has expanded into a second office in the city as it continues to win work in international markets. The firm, part of the BMT group, works primarily on major naval projects. Its success in securing a prestigious design contract for the Norwegian LSV (Logistics and Support Vessel) project has resulted...
One of the UK car industry’s most respected figures, former General Motors UK chairman Bill Parfitt, has joined accountants Grant Thornton’s automotive advisory team as a consultant. Mr Parfitt, pictured, is now working with team members including director and automotive manufacturing specialist Neil Barrell, who is based in the firm’s regional office in Bristol. The...
Avon Rubber, the Melksham-based specialist manufacturer best known for its respirators, has won two major contracts as a result of its £3m acquisition earlier this year of VR Technology Holdings. Avon bought VR, a market leader in electronics, computers and life support systems used by professional divers, in April to broaden its reach in...
Bath University is to develop a world-class research facility for low-emission vehicles following the award of funding worth £3.2m. The centre, which will lead research into alternative fuels, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, will be the only one of its kind in the UK. The investment, from a number of sources including the university...
Manufacturing company Watson Gym Equipment is expanding into new premises after a securing a commercial mortgage with Barclays. The £328,000 loan has helped the Frome-based firm, which specialises in handmade bespoke professional gym equipment, move into a 6,400 sq ft site on the town’s Commerce Park Industrial Estate to support its growth strategy. Launched in...
West firms are showing some significant signs of recovery as the economic upturn gains traction, according to the upbeat results of a new survey. Domestic sales for the region’s manufacturing and services sectors have climbed strongly over the past three months while other measures including employment and business confidence, are equally positive, some showing...
