A SPECIALIST industrial automation company has completed a £2.45m transformation project to create a new manufacturing site marking a major milestone in its five-year growth plan.

The investment, which included £440,000 from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership’s grant programme, has seen Univer Manufacturing Company Ltd, part of the British-owned, TecnAir Group, completely overhaul a disused former Bradford Council building in Shipley into a state-of-art manufacturing facility.

The 24,000 sq ft site houses the latest CNC machine technology and has increased the company’s manufacturing capabilities, enabling it to create 20 new jobs, and win a string of new export contracts.

Univer Manufacturing is a family-run company specialising in standard pneumatic branded products, specialist pneumatic products, gas module production, vehicle fleet safety products and systems for armoured vehicles. Established in 1988, it has grown to become the largest independently owned specialist pneumatic manufacturing business in the UK, with production facilities in Europe and other parts of the world, including Australia and China.

Managing director, Dominic Pix, expects export sales to grow by 30 per cent and current UK sales are already up 40 per cent.

Mr Pix said: “The grant meant that our latest facility has been completed to an exceptional standard. By choosing to give new life to a former Bradford Council building that had been empty for a long period, rather than purchase a new build, Univer Manufacturing has also invested additional funds into the purchasing of the latest CNC automated technology.

The LEP, in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority, received funding through Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1bn package of Government investment to accelerate growth. Univer Manufacturing has now had a second grant approved for the purchase of another disused Council building, adjacent to the Shipley site, which should complete in 2019.

Andrew Wright, Chair of the LEP Business, Innovation and Growth (BIG) Panel, said: “Univer Manufacturing is a prime example of a successful British business, which is demonstrating commitment to its Yorkshire roots through investment.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, added: “By supporting growing businesses we are able to build on the region’s manufacturing excellence and create a strong and successful economy that benefits everyone.”