Loan enables Halifax manufacturer to make £1m investment

A loan from the LEP has helped Witt Group, a world renowned industrial fan designer and manufacturer, experience growth through a site move and create 20 new jobs.

The loan has allowed Witt Group to move to premises - over three times larger than the previous site - to meet increasing demand and continue to produce high quality goods for its international markets. 

Investment creates apprenticeship opportunities 

The loan has been part of a £1.3m investment that has enabled the business to take on larger and more complex contracts which will run until 2020. Witt Group has also launched an enhanced apprenticeship scheme - now hiring two to three apprentices a year.

Roger Marsh, Chair of the LEP said: “Witt Group is a long-standing and established Yorkshire business and has gained an excellent reputation within its industry market. We are thrilled to have been able to help in the fundamental move that has allowed the business to continue its expansion, create new business opportunities and offer an enhanced apprenticeship scheme for local people.”

Expanding into international markets 

Martin Booth, managing director at Witt Group, said that the investment had increased expansion in current international markets, as well as enabling it to gain new acquisitions in other sectors. Witt Group has been producing industrial fans for 82 years and currently operates in a wide range of markets including merchant shipping, nuclear, oil and gas. 

Martin Booth said: “The much-needed expansion has meant that the business can continue to grow and further cement its position as a market leader in industrial fan design and manufacturing. The business began 82 years ago, and we are constantly striving to develop and create an innovative product. Our product’s versatility means that we can be dealing with biscuit makers to quarries and the loan has meant that we can handle larger products we previously didn’t have capacity to.”