BCW Manufacturing plans jobs and growth

BCW Manufacturing Group is to build two new developments and create 50 jobs as it looks to build on continued growth in the automotive sector.

Two additional sites will will create a further 80,000 sq ft of working space, just three years after Phase II of the Burnley-based company's development saw expansion through opening of a 55,000 sq ft facility

The new developments - Phase III at 50,000 sq ft and IV at 30,000 sq ft - will future proof the business, creating a dedicated state-of-the-art automotive machining facility and additional warehouse space.

The expansion will accommodate the company's automotive extrusion machining and automated assembly, enabling them to expand their anodising treatment capacity to meet the expected UK growth for lightweight aluminium chassis. This all relates to the growth of hybrid and electrification of modern vehicles.

This will increase their treatments facility and more than double their anodising capacity from 350,000m2 pa to 1million m2 pa. The two sites will open in July 2018 and January 2019, respectively.

Alec Cassie, managing director at BCW Manufacturing said: “We opened our Phase II facility in 2015 to accommodate our growing order book for the manufacture of aircraft parts and treatments facility, and the commission to build the third and fourth facilities will service our further expansion in the automotive manufacturing sector.

“With new contracts of a substantial size from prestigious automotive manufacturers, contracts which we are delighted to have won against stiff global competition, this expansion will be a major boost for BCW, for Burnley and the wider Lancashire economy, creating several new hi-tech jobs in the process.

“The expansion should lead to the creation of up to 50 new jobs over the next three years, which will include professional and skilled roles through to apprentices and operators."

Brent Collins, managing director, automotive division, BCW added: “BCW’s state of the art facilities, quality products, and continued high level delivery performance have been a key factor in winning new business, and we are delighted to be unveiling the plans for the expansion, the dedicated automotive extrusion machining and automated assembly to our partners and key blue chip clients.” The project will be completed in partnership with DEM and Barnfield Construction, developing the brownfield site on part of the former Michelin plant.