Sixty new high quality jobs are to be created at the Gestamp Tallent auto components plant in Llanelli with Welsh Government support.
A £10million investment in the installation of a new hot metal stamping press line – one of only two in the UK – has already secured a full order book for the next five years supplying Jaguar Land Rover. The new press has the capacity to produce 2million individual parts a year and will supply structural components for the new Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover products, as well as the new Jaguar XE model.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart who will officially launch the new press today (Thursday 4 December), described the investment as a significant milestone in the transformation of the plant. Only a few years ago the plant was facing closure with a workforce that had dwindled to less than 100 employees.
Mrs Hart said: “ This is tremendously good news for the company, for Llanelli and for the auto sector in Wales. I am delighted this significant investment has been supported by the Welsh Government which helped bring this very important project to Llanelli, securing its future here and opening up new business opportunities.
“Just five years ago the plant was facing closure, but it is now a thriving business employing 400 people, with 60 more jobs on the way.
“The transformation of its fortunes began when it was acquired by Gestamp in 2011 and the following year I was pleased to announce a £3.4m grant from the Wales Economic Growth Fund towards a £12m investment in state-of-the-art robotics which safeguarded 300 jobs. That marked the start of a new era for the plant and today we have reached another milestone.”
Ian Middleton, UK Gestamp Chairman said: “This project further strengthens the excellent working relationship between Gestamp and the Welsh Government and ensures that our Llanelli Plant now boasts the world’s latest, most modern hot stamping technology. This, coupled with other recent investment, not only secures jobs but also offers great potential for further growth of this facility.’
The new hot metal stamping line heats metal up to 900 degrees, creating components that are lighter and stronger than those made using cold pressing technology.
The new line forms part of a suite of new technology investment at the plant including high precision lasers while the building is also undergoing refurbishment with investment in the fabric of the facility. “