Steatite have officially opened their new self contained purpose built facility located within the Ravensbank Business Park in Redditch, Worcestershire. Sajid Javid, MP for Bromsgrove and Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch County, unveiled a plaque to mark the relocation.
This is a prime location only 4 miles from the M42 (J3) which makes Steatite’s new site extremely accessible to all its customers nationwide. Despite the current financial climate, Steatite has continued to grow from strength to strength which resulted in the need to expand production capabilities for its customers.
In December 2010, Steatite won a £100k+ contract to supply industrial computers to the new BBC site in Manchester for use in various control applications. This was using Steatite’s own design 1U lower power computers with a custom operating system. Further to that Steatite secured another major contract worth over £250K with Enterprise PLC, The UK’s largest dedicated provider of maintenance and front-line services to the public sector and utility industry.
During 2010 profits in the first half of the year rose by 48% with sales increasing by 22% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects the growth of new product development, key target market penetration and a strategy of focus on our key customer base.
The new facility increases from 12,000 ft to 25,000 ft, giving efficiencies in warehouse, production and office space which will offer increased production and stores space along with the capacity for extended testing. Steatite’s aim is to use the extra space available to improve production capability and reduce lead times, with the option to increase their stock holding for continuing improvement programs that will benefit all its customers.
“Since moving to Redditch, Steatite created 42 jobs” said John Lavery, Managing Director, Steatite. “Turnover has grown from £2.8 million to £16 million with plans to increase to a turnover of £30 million. We want to continue employing local semi and skilled work force, and we remain committed to working closely with our customers and develop strong relationships with blue-chip companies and smaller commercial customers alike.”
