Batley Foundry forges growth with investment from LEP

A grant from the 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 £20,000 grant to purchase state-of-the-art machinery and employ two new members of staff.

Support to innovate

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.

Exploring new international markets 

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.”  

Efficient technology

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.”