Universal Engineering are planning to open a new centre of excellence to create new highly skilled jobsAround 200 new jobs are being created in Wales by engineering firm Universal as it builds a centre of excellence in Llantrisant.
Universal, which specialises in designing, developing and manufacturing equipment for the oil and gas sectors, defence and aerospace industries, has received a £2m business finance package from the Welsh Government to support its expansion.
The facility will increase the company’s capacity to meet growing demand for its services and is now operational with 65 posts already filled since operations began six months ago.
The UK chief executive of Universal Engineering parent company the Bland Group, Henry Game, said: “We are delighted and proud of this investment in UK engineering. It will bring tangible benefits for the UK economy in terms of increased industry and new jobs.
“It will also ensure Universal Engineering’s position as an international market leader in providing innovative quality-assured solutions for industries that rely on precision engineering.”
Edwina Hart, Welsh Government economy minister, added: “I am delighted that Welsh Government support helped to secure this major project for Wales and that recruitment is already well underway.
“It will provide a major boost to the local economy and is exactly the type of advanced manufacturing investment we want to attract. It will create a significant number of skilled jobs offering a range of employment and career opportunities.
The 16-acre site in Wales was selected from a shortlist of potential sites across the UK and abroad due to its good transport links, which include the nearby ports at Newport and Cardiff.
Some of the latest recruits at the site include a design engineer and a local quality manager both with PhD’s.
Workspace dedicated to specialist engineering capabilities including Structural steel fabrication for the sub sea oil & gas industry, vehicle chassis and materials handling equipment as well as machining capability in support of defence equipment customers will be provided by the factory.
Managing director of Universal, Mark Cooper, said: “We are also proud to be working with local colleges to address future skills’ needs. This innovative new arrangement supports local jobs and provides us with suitably qualified staff to maintain our international standards.
“In addition, the factory allows us to consolidate our work in oil, gas and subsea and diversify further into the defence and aerospace industries.
“We have a number of high profile blue chip clients, who will benefit from developments at the new site.”
