Staffordshire car firm to create 60 jobs after securing £1m funding

Maier UK in Burntwood has been given the cash to pay for a four-year research and development project, which will see the creation of the new positions and will protect 30 existing jobs.

The firm will be investigating ways to develop a new, more efficient process to produce high gloss painted plastic components such as car grills.

Maier UK produces vehicle components for a range of top manufacturers across the UK.

The Spanish-owned company employs 200 people at its UK operation based in Burntwood Business Park and also sub-contracts work to other local firms.

The money has come from the Government's Regional Growth Fund, which supports projects that create jobs and increase economic growth.

With the Automotive Council identifying £3 billion worth of contracts per year which UK-based car manufacturers want to source from the UK.

The company hopes the project will help it in securing further contracts in the luxury car market.

Paul McArdle, key account manager at Maier, said: "The success of the application with considerable help from Make it Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, UK Trade and Investment and the Automotive Investment Organisation, has not only given Maier UK increased growth in terms of research and development and production capability, but also a strong position to deliver premium products to our client base in the UK and further afield".

Staffordshire County Council's economy leader Mark Winnington visited Maier to see the new equipment and production unit.

He said: "The success of a company like Maier UK demonstrates why we are a prime location for innovative business and why we have such a low unemployment rate. It also shows we are seeing better skilled, better paid jobs in Staffordshire.

"We have worked closely with Maier – initially to bring the company's UK base to the county and more recently to support it in its successful RGF bid, which will boost productivity and have a positive impact on the local economy.

"It is pleasing to see the project underway and with the confidence that we will have a local workforce to be able to take these type of jobs on in the future. Our advanced manufacturing and engineering hub is already providing the skills people will need."

Automative Investment Organisation chief executive Joe Greenwell said: "The AIO are proud to have worked with Maier UK on their successful RGF application. Maier are an excellent, high quality company, and their investment will not just benefit the Staffordshire region, but also the broader automotive sector.

"Maier's investment demonstrates that it agrees with AIO that there are significant long term opportunities in the UK supply chain, and as well as a growing critical mass of engineering capabilities in the UK. We will continue to work closely with Maier UK as its plans for future growth develop and take shape."