Investment and jobs making noise at AER Stafford
A Norton Canes business specialising in producing noise-reducing components for the automotive sector is set to take on 20 new staff in the next year.
AER Stafford in Bellsize Close is also planning to invest around £1m over the next 12 months.
Managing director Steve Huckfield said that the company had seen a major turnaround in the last four years.
It was bought out of administration in February 2009 by the Bristol-based Avon Group.
Since then the workforce has increased from 25 to 115 and turnover has doubled in the last three years as the company has continued to go from strength to strength and win new orders.
Mr Huckfield said that turnover was expected to have grown by 20 to 30 per cent in the year to the end of March, with a further major increase in turnover expected over the next 12 months and beyond
"We are now looking for new engineers, sales, administration staff as well as shop floor operatives," he said.
Mr Huckfield said that 20 new jobs were in the pipeline with the total employed expected to have grown by around 15 per cent in 2012-2013.
AER Stafford has just signed a long term lease for its 55,000 sq ft factory where it has been since 1985.
The company began as Stafford Rubber Company in Lichfield in 1975 and changed its name after it became part of the Avon Group.
The main customers for its parts are Jaguar Land Rover, but it is also working with Honda and Nissan.
"We are continuing to win new orders and new customers for our noise vibration and harshness products.
"It has been hard work to turn the company around, but we are now in a position where we have a strategic spread across the UK automotive industry.
"We offer a wide range of processes and facilities within one company," added Mr Huckfield.
AER is just about to buy new production machinery and is planning further investment in equipment over the next 12 months.
