An expansion project by TBD (Owen Holland) Ltd – which is supported by the Welsh Government – is also enabling a neighbouring business in Bridgend to expand.
TBD which specialises in designing and manufacturing ground support and access equipment for the aerospace and defence sectors is investing £300,000 in a new product line.
The expansion, which is supported by £105,000 business finance from the Welsh Government, will create 12 new skilled jobs and ensure the company retains its competitiveness.
TBD is part funding the capital and revenue investment by selling surplus land it owns on the Waterton Industrial Estate to Ward Jones Bridgend Ltd which in turn can now expand.
Ward Jones specialises in self storage container hire at its secure compound and the purchase of an additional 5.6 acres will more than double the footprint of the site. The expansion will safeguard four existing jobs, create additional jobs and enable the company to invest in additional compounds and containers to meet the growing demand from customers.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “It’s excellent news to hear that TBD’s expansion is not only going to create new jobs and expand its product portfolio but that its investment is enabling another company to expand and grow its business.”
TBD is expanding its powered vehicles product range with the introduction of a new hi-lift catering truck which it will manufacture under license from a US company and re-engineer, modify and adapt for the European market.
The new trucks will be used to transport food to aircraft galleys and, with a slightly different body, can also be used as ambulatory lifts.
Business founder and CEO Steve Meredith said “This is another significant step forward in the development of the TBD product range. We are currently in the engineering phase of the project and hope to have our first prototypes available within the next 6 to 9 months.”
TBD has an impressive list of international clients with additional new customers including UPS, Airbus Military and Virgin Australia and exports currently account for more than 60% of its turnover.
Its on-going investment in the design and development of a range of ground support equipment supports its ambitions to become one of the world’s leading manufacturers in its specialised field.