Cobra UK’s North Wales expansion

 

The Welshpool-based company will open an 80,000sq ft unit on Wrexham Industrial estate early in the New Year to start production of high volume vehicle interior load floors for the new Vauxhall Astra.

 

The Vauxhall order means the company will double its current workforce of 49 and they are now recruiting for the Wrexham plant.

 

The company’s expansion is being backed by a substantial contribution from the Welsh Assembly Government Repayable Business Finance (RBF) scheme.

 

Managing Director Gary Seale (pictured) says support from the Welsh Government had been instrumental in their success.

 

“Our expansion simply would not have happened without the support and funding we have received which enabled us to test and validate new designs and products as well as equip for Vauxhall’s high demand.

 

“It enabled us to expand our product range and grow the business which includes plans to create up to 50 new jobs.”

 

Mr Seale said the move offered new employment opportunities and also secured the jobs of current staff.

 

“There will be some movement of jobs but current staff will be given the opportunity to grow with CobraUK,” he said.

 

Mr Seale said he was hoping to secure additional funding from the Welsh Economic Growth Fund to help create further jobs in the new year.

 

Earlier this year Cobra, based on Welshpool’s Buttington Cross Enterprise Park, won the Queen’s Award for Industry in the International Trade category.

 

Cobra’s Automotive Products Division manufactures interior car parts for some of the world’s leading motor manufacturers including Bentley, Volvo, Audi as well as Vauxhall owned General Motors.

 

Cobra has developed a wide spread of markets, particularly in Europe. Trade has also been established in Canada and Brazil and the company has bounced back since the MG Rover collapse in 2005 resulted in them losing 90% of company sales.

 

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies, welcomed the news: “Cobra UK is a very important business in Welshpool. I visited the company last year when it won the Queen’s Award for Industry.  The news of 49 new jobs is particularly welcome at a time when the entire European economy is going through such a difficult time. It’s also good news that Vauxhall UK has placed such an important order with a Wales-based manufacturing business. Today’s news is a very welcome Christmas present.”

 

Bill Parfitt, Chairman of GM UK and Vauxhall Motors and also the first Chairman of the Automotive Council’s Supply Group, said: “Vauxhall is keen to build on the momentum and push for new business with UK suppliers to the benefit of local economies and GM globally who are now increasingly aware of the great potential that resides in the UK.

 

“As an example, Cobra UK has won a number of contracts to supply, from its factory in Wales, to various GM plants around the world.

 

“From 2012, Cobra UK is scheduled to produce components for Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in nearby Cheshire where the Astra Sports Tourer is built for the whole of Europe and beyond.

 

“So far in 2011 alone, over 120 000 Sports Tourers left the production line.”