New home for refuse vehicle firm NTM-GB
A company that supplies refuse and recycling collection vehicles across the UK is on the move to Kidderminster where it will create new jobs.
NTM-GB plans to take on at least 30 more people as it doubles in size in the first year following the switch from its current site in Willenhall to a former Sealine boats factory in Whitehouse Road.
Managing director Paul Westley said: "Over two years we are looking to increase our numbers to 100."
NTM-GB, which was started 11 years ago, is part of 65-year-old Finnish group NTM which makes the range of small vehicles and exports them to the UK.
The operation at Rainbow Business Park, Stringes Lane, currently fits out and maintains the vehicles, but Mr Westley said there were long term plans to start manufacturing in the UK following the move to Kidderminster which is due to be completed in July or August. The new site will be known as NTM House.
The company hopes to receive £1.1 million Regional Growth Fund support towards the cost of adapting the former Sealine building for its needs and research and development projects.
Mr Westley said that the full cost of the project was £5m. The 75,000 sq ft factory, which offers three workshop areas is three times bigger than NTM-GB's Willenhall site.
"The factory met our needs because of the high roof and cranes with which it is equipped," added Mr Westley, who runs NTM-GB with director and general manager Eugene Wenger.
He said that existing machinery would be transferred to Kidderminster and he expected all the 30-strong workforce to make the move.
The company also has more than 30 service centres around the country
It was initially based in Shrewsbury and moved to Willenhall three years ago with the purchase of commercial vehicle body builder LinkTip.
Luxury boat builder Sealine collapsed in May 2013 with the the loss of 300 jobs.
