Property agents John Truslove are helping transform the face of Washford Industrial Estate in Redditch after fixing up a host of new lets.
Following on from ten last year it has now masterminded three further moves which sees SMEs expanding and creating jobs.
The trio, all moving in to premises on Heming Road, are Machined Aluminium Profiles, Industrial Switchgear and Crown Labels.
Ben Truslove, a director of John Truslove, said: “Washford is a very popular and long established industrial estate with excellent motorway connections.
“The demand coming through is a reflection of the improved economy – small and medium sized enterprises are showing signs of burgeoning confidence and are picking up more work. It gives them the opportunity to push on.”
Founded in 2000, Machined Aluminium Profiles has gone from 1,100 sq ft at 75 Heming Road, to taking 83 and 84 combined, and recently moving into No. 86, 17,592 sq ft, on a five year lease.
And for the aluminium extrusions and aluminium components maker, it has come on the back of high profile contracts.
Customers include Wembley Stadium, Selfridges in Birmingham, Nottingham Racecourse and Bilbao Football Stadium.
In 2011 the firm supplied components to strengthen blast seat protection in Hummel troop carriers used extensively by the US Army in Afghanistan. The following year it was providing balustrading and panel rails for the London Olympics.
It recently won a contract for exterior framing for around 70 new Aldi and Lidl stores. And it is very busy with materials for conservatory roofs following an easing of regulatory controls.
The business now employs 15-20 people rising to 35 when needed.
It hasn’t always been steady progress – as with many others the firm hit real trouble at the height of the financial crisis – but it now sees a very positive future.
General manager Ian Parsons said: “Things are looking up and we are growing again.
“There is definitely a feelgood factor but we don’t know how solid it is and how long it is going to last. Having said that, we are full to the end of March and that is brilliant. A lot of buildings are being released and there seems to be a bit more money around.
“John Truslove did everything we asked them to do … and then some more.”
Control panel manufacturer Industrial Switchgear is making “the switch” from 8 Howard Road, Redditch, taking a 3,828 sq ft unit at 82 Heming Road on a five year lease. The move is scheduled for the spring to allow for a refit to take place. The firm supplies electrical panels for systems houses representing end customers across the public and private sector, in particular the likes of retail, medical and defence.
Manager David Lincoln-Lewis said: “The move is about modernisation and a need for extra space to cope with customer requirements. It is to ensure we are fit for purpose – reducing the carbon footprint and meeting health and safety legislation.”
Industrial Switchgear employs 18 people and envisages extra jobs on the back of organic growth, perhaps 25 per cent more staff over three years.
Crown Labels, based in a 10,000 sq ft factory at 2 Nash Road, Park Farm North, Redditch, is expanding with a second production facility at 65 Heming Road, taking a 3,819 unit on a five year lease.
Formed in 1987, and employing around 15 people, it manufactures a variety of labels, tags and thermal films for applications across the country.