Dales Fabrications, a manufacturer of aluminium products, has installed a polyester powder coating plant, which applies hardwearing finishes to the products it manufactures at its factory on the Crompton Road Industrial Estate in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
Industry specialists and Erewash MP, Maggie Throup, were among guests who attended the unveiling last week.
Karl Prosser, managing director of Dales Fabrications, said the new equipment, which cost £170,000, is a massive upgrade of a limited capacity that the company had up until now, and will help speed up the process.
The cost includes a grant of £42,500 from a government fund managed by the University of Derby that provides loans and grants to businesses across the East Midlands which are looking to grow.
This is because the company is creating two jobs with another two expected to follow in the next couple of years.
Under the scheme, the university will offer other services such as apprenticeships, knowledge exchange, research and product testing as part of a continuing relationship.
Dales Fabrications has received endorsement from Syntha Pulvin, a multi-national company that provides the powder products. It is one of only 26 companies in Britain to have this approval.
The manufacturer will be using a chemical pre-treatment, which is said to be more environmentally-friendly, ahead of new legislation, which will be introduced in three years that bans chromium products.
Erewash MP Maggie Troup, said: “The chemistry behind this is really exciting, and at the same time it’s allowing Dales Fabrications to have complete control of the quality of their excellent and innovative products.
“I’m delighted that this will result in more people being employed locally. It’s always good news to see local businesses expanding.”
