Historic brass firm jobs boost

An historic manufacturing firm has been taken over securing the future for 45 workers and promising new jobs.

Bolton Brass in Aldridge, has been bought by businessmen Nick Harrison and Peter Brown who are to rename it McKechnie Brass - its original name from 1871.

The pair bought the firm through their private investment company Fox Access Co Ltd and have promised to expand the business from its Middlemore Lane base.

It is good news for employees, who saw around 129 colleagues made redundant in 2008 after a downturn in the economy.

Sue Gregory, spokeswoman for the new owners, said: "The sale has only just gone through, but the aim is not to break up the company it is to grow it and hopefully create new jobs.

"Bolton Brass was ticking over but was making a loss, it has been bought as a going concern.

"There are customers who want a producer from the domestic area and Bolton Brass is the last brass extruder in the country.

"The McKechnie brothers started the company in 1871 and it bore their name for over a century.The brass is used in bathroom fittings.