Dozens of new jobs set to be created if Walsall manufacturer's expansion plan approved

European Heathyards Ltd wants to create a new unit on vacant land near its existing operation at Maybrook Industrial Estate, off Maybrook Road in Walsall Wood.

Bosses of the company, which is a supplier to major companies including Rolls Royce, said they wanted to make the most of growing opportunities in the nuclear sector.

They added the existing nuclear fabrication facility was running out of capacity and so needed to expand.

If approved, the new 35,000 square foot unit would see 30 new jobs creating with potential for a further 20 in future.

Planning officers at Walsall Council are expected to make a decision on the proposal in December.

A planning supporting statement said: “The company is a key supplier to various Tier 1 companies in the nuclear sector for whom they are fabricating complex and specialist components including for the new class of nuclear submarines being built by BAE Systems at Barrow in Furness.

“With eight of these being built over the next ten years the existing nuclear fabrication facility (constructed in 2022) is now reaching full capacity.

“The proposed facility will be used for the manufacture of large and complex items and it is expected that the company will grow by approx. 15 per cent per year over the next decade, a remarkable achievement and like Rolls Royce and the many SME’s in the supply chain (like Heathyards) is a great success story for British manufacturing.

“The company presently employ nearly 100 people, of which 85 per cent are involved in manufacturing and who possess advanced skills in fabrication, tube bending, welding and non-destructive testing.

“This new facility will create a further 30 positions immediately with an envisaged future capacity of over 50, the majority of which will be highly skilled and well paid and supporting many other family members in the local community.

“Training and apprenticeships will be at the forefront, and the company is already reaching out through industry associations to establish what resources are available.

“European Heathyards are here to stay, Walsall provides the perfect environment for them to conduct their business and for it to continue to grow to the benefit of the local community, Walsall, the West Midlands and Great Britain as a whole.

“Heathyards is becoming a significant contributor to the economy by producing high value-added products that few others can aspire to.

“They are a key component in the nuclear supply chain and retaining and developing skills for the future.”