Batley Foundry forges growth with investment from The LEP
01.12.14
A grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has helped Batley Foundry, a Yorkshire-based cast iron manufacturer, strengthen its business by investing in machinery and creating new jobs.
The business has been awarded a grant from the LEP’s Business Growth Programme, which is supported by the government’s Regional Growth Fund. The £20,000 grant has helped the business to purchase state-of-the-art machinery and employ two new members of staff.
It has aided in purchasing a furnace control system, which works at a 20 per cent faster pace than the previous model and has ensured that Batley Foundry can produce its goods more efficiently. Batley Foundry, which currently employs 22 staff, has invested more than £150,000 alongside the grant to help drive its innovation programme and boost revenue.
Mike Powell, sales and commercial director at Batley Foundry, said product output would continue to grow as Batley Foundry is now able to pour greater volumes of metal thanks to the machinery, opening its business up to more markets. Batley Foundry currently works in international markets, including Europe and the United States, dealing in power generation, machine tooling, marine engineering and construction.
Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “Batley Foundry is one of Yorkshire’s most established businesses - producing cast iron for nearly 100 years - and remains one of the few foundries left in the City Region. We are delighted to have been able to assist in purchasing vital equipment to enable the company to increase production and open up new opportunities for business growth.”
Leader of Kirklees Council Cllr David Sheard said: “Keeping our established businesses in the district and helping them to grow is vital to future prosperity. The impact is felt by the local community, the supply chain, the local shops and the employees, so I am pleased the company has benefited from the Business Growth Programme.”
Mike Powell said: “This investment has been fundamental to improve our machinery efficiency. The previous model was 41 years old and the new system is much more reliant and time effective. We are now able to use the furnace to full capacity which has created a wider market sector for the company. We also needed a new cooling system, and the grant has ensured that we can purchase this and continue our journey of expansion.”
The LEP is hosting an event for businesses in the Leeds City Region to find out what finance is available to support their growth plans. For more information or to register for the event visit: