AMID one of the UK’s biggest economic downfalls, a Coventry business is expanding its overseas trade to 62 countries and recruiting extra staff after a £300,000 investment in new machinery.
NDE Clarke Pitchline, which is based at the historic former Riley Motor Company Works on Aldbourne Road, specialises in the design, engineering and manufacture of a range of mechanical power transmission components used in traditional industries ranging from steel, mining to paper but also electric vehicles, wind energy, marine and defence.
The 50-strong business, established 52-years-ago, is reaping the benefits of a series of investments over the last 18 months including a Gear Measurement CMM Machine that was supported by a £46,263 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, delivered by the city council.
A further project saw the purchase of a Höfler 11-axis gear grinding CNC machine supported by a £20,000 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme and delivered by Coventry University Enterprises.
Both of these investment projects were part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Adam Wilkins, NDE’s business development manager, said: “Having these machines means we have been able to break into new markets and grow our export business. We now export to 62 countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain in Europe as well as more obscure countries such the Philippines, the Caribbean, Peru and Singapore and our exports now make up 40 per cent of the business.
“The CNC machine enables us to precisely machine gears to a high tolerance so we can now supply into markets such as wind turbines where their need the gears to be quiet and on submarines to keep noise to a minimum to prevent detection.
“The projects have enabled us to attract people with the right skills and without the investments, we wouldn’t have been able to win new business outside the UK so it has been a massive benefit.
“This January was one of our best order intakes we have ever had and if this continues over the next 12 months, the size of the business will grow rapidly since we have a full order book and new business shows no signs of slowing down!”
The company was also able to access a £4,000 grant to map the most effective layout of its 30,000 sq ft workshop from the Manufacturing Growth Programme, the UK’s largest provider of business support.
So far, two extra members of staff plus an apprentice have been recruited at NDE Clarke Pitchline to operate the state-of-the-art machines.
Adam said they had received continuously updated information regarding the Brexit trade deal meaning few headaches so far following the UK’s departure from the EU.
He concluded: “It has been a challenge certainly with exporting goods across the globe but like a lot of companies we have engaged the services of a freight forwarder to organise the shipments for us.
“We have also taken on an extra member of staff and provided training on export assignments and paperwork, so it has been quite a smooth process.”
