An innovative automotive engineering firm which has officially opened its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Coventry is planning to expand into new markets and recruit more staff.
MarchantCain invited Craig Humphrey, the managing director of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub, to cut the ribbon at its new home at Banner Park in Wickmans Drive following its move from the Old Saw Mill in Allesley.
Around 60 clients, suppliers, family and friends were invited for an official tour of the 12,000 sq ft premises, which is three-times the size of its previous unit.
Five new engineers are expected to join the 22-strong workforce at MarchantCain this summer as the company continues to win business from the UK and overseas.
MarchantCain, who design, develop and manufacture parts for luxury car companies including Aston Martin, Porsche and Bentley, is currently working on contracts for customers in America, Germany, Italy and Croatia.
Pamela Cain, a director at MarchantCain, said the business was now renowned for its expertise in design, prototypes and manufacturing.
She said: “We previously carried out manufacturing on a small scale but we knew we needed larger premises to expand this area of the business because of the contracts we were bidding for and winning.
“The pipeline of work is currently strong which has meant we have recruited Computer Aided Designers, a quality assurance engineer and a cost estimator engineer who are starting within the next two months.
“With advice from the Growth Hub, we have started to explore new sectors and the rail industry is looking particularly promising because we have developed a relationship with a company which manufactures fibre glass composite to replace traditional sound walls which are needed alongside railway lines.”
Pamela said the Growth Hub has played an essential role in its expansion over the last three years.
She said: “Their advice has been vital because they have pointed us in the right direction for funding sources and it is great to know we have one place to go for all the help and support we need. It is like having an extra member of staff.”
Craig Humphrey, managing director of the CWLEP Growth Hub which is part-funded by Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council, said he had been delighted to officially open MarchantCain’s new premises.
“MarchantCain is a great example of how the region has worked together to help an innovative business continue to move forward,” he said.
“Previously, they concentrated on specialising as an automotive engineering consultancy but we have helped them become a much wider business involved in new sectors which will help them take significant steps forwards.
“We have signposted them towards accessing different funding for skills with our different partners including Coventry City Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
“Pamela has always been particularly keen to give young people a chance and their apprentices have learned highly-valuable skills as well as developed within the company.”