One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of aluminium and multi-metals components has expanded its West Midlands headquarters with backing from Yorkshire Bank.
Birmingham Aluminium has invested £300,000 in the purchase of the unit next door to its base on Farrow Road in Great Barr, along with additional machinery, after securing the funding as part of the Bank’s Investing For Growth initiative.
The firm, which employs 24 people, and has increased turnover by 20% to £3.06m over the last 12 months, now has around 22,500 sq ft of space after buying the 7,500 sq ft unit with support from Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham Financial Solutions Centre (FSC).
Joint-managing director, Steve Kane, said the investment represented one of the biggest expansions in the company’s 16 year history and was made possible following a surge in demand for its products on the continent.
“Our overseas market has probably doubled over the last 18 months, and now represents around 15 per cent of our turnover, which is up by a fifth in the last year,” he said.
“One of the major reasons behind this growth has been due to the success of our website after we translated it into seven languages with help from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
“Orders and enquiries from countries such as France, Germany, eastern Europe, China, the Benelux countries, Scandinavia, Australia and USA have really taken off over the last 18 months and have led to us being able to make this investment.”
Birmingham Aluminium produces around 7,000 products for the electronics, transport, drives and controls, leisure, security and furniture components sectors with its products found in anything from electrical goods to train engines.
Joint-managing director Stefan Kucharczyk said the backing of Yorkshire Bank has been central to the success.
“We grew steadily year on year up until the recession kicked in, when we leveled off slightly, but over the last few years we have gone on to continue this growth,” said Stefan.
“This investment was a ‘no-brainer’ really, as we had got to a point where we had run out of space and taking the extra unit meant we’d be far more efficient.
“We’ve worked with Yorkshire Bank for around 12 years now and really value the support they’ve afforded us over the years and on this latest deal.”
Paul Reeves, managing partner at Yorkshire Bank’s Birmingham FSC on Temple Row, said the company is a real success story for British manufacturing.
“Birmingham Aluminum has come a long way over the last 16 years and the bank is pleased to have played a part in the firm’s success,” he said.
“The company has orders coming in from around 25 countries across the globe, is constantly designing and creating new products, and has recently taken on new members of staff and is looking to grow its team even further.
“It’s hugely pleasing to witness the success Steve, Stefan and the rest of the company are enjoying, and Birmingham, the West Midlands and the UK as a whole should be proud to have them flying the flag for British manufacturing.”