NTG Precision Engineering has marked its move to a new purpose-built facility with a series of production investments to further increase its capabilities and capacity.
Having run a dual production schedule while it transferred its machinery and team from its previous premises to ensure minimal disruption to customer projects, the new 45,000 sq ft facility in North East England is now fully operational.
Alongside its existing extensive precision engineering technology, NTG is adding to its capabilities with the addition of a Mazak i800 simultaneous 5-axis machining centre, which will be followed shortly by the installation of a Matsuura H.Plus-405 multi-pallet horizontal machining centre and larger turning capacity with the addition of a Doosan 700LM II Turning centre.
This equipment will be used in the manufacture of metal components for a range of industries including automotive, food production, automation and energy generation.
Three times the size of its former base, the new facility, in 8th Avenue, Team Valley, Gateshead, will enable NTG to increase its presence in key markets.
The building also reflects NTG’s commitment to sustainability and is part-powered by Solar PV and includes electric vehicle charging points and air source heating.
Significantly, it gives NTG more space to grow over the next five to ten years, allowing the business to be more agile and respond to commercial opportunities.
The move to the new factory also creates the capacity to expand its workforce, which stands at 72, of which 10 are apprentices, and it is the ambition of the company in increase its headcount with skilled engineers by 20% percent in the next 12-18 months.
Both new and existing personnel are placed on the newly created NTG Talent Pathway to allow them to achieve career aims and fulfil their potential within the business.
Mike Hutchinson, group managing director of NTG, said: “We have grown year on year for the past decade and this new facility will provide the space we need to meet demand and strengthen our position as a manufacturer of choice across our key customer industries.
“We have established ourselves in sectors including defence, electric vehicles, energy generation and food production, particularly from customers that have moved towards reshoring as they become more inclined to source services and products from within the UK.
“This has enabled us to deliver an investment strategy that not only includes the move to our new premises, but also new equipment as well as our people. The addition of new technology, such as the 5-axis machining centre, enables us to support OEMs with broader precision engineering capabilities as well as building additional capacity with a larger manufacturing footprint.
“The move also supports our investment in people. We are focused on delivering high value jobs that provides long-term career paths for our talented team. This enables us to establish and deliver upon the partnerships we build with our customers and sustains our contribution to the UK high value manufacturing sector.”