Staffordshire machining firm Caradell Precision Engineering has moved from cramped and ageing rented accommodation in Burntwood to a new building at Kimberley Business Park in Brereton, Rugeley, which gives the firm additional production space and allows it use a more efficient layout.
The former premises didn't allow it to increase production capacity sufficiently to grow the business. A £60,000 Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) grant from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has helped the family firm to carry out the move and to buy new machinery. The project's total cost was £447,000.
Nigel Merrick, director at Caradell, said: "It was a toss up whether we could carry on. The unit we were in was old and not good for our business image and the rent was high.
"The way forward was obviously to buy somewhere. The move has given us nearly half as much floor space again. We are getting a lot more for our money.
"We have also bought a bigger capacity turning centre. This allows us to deal with different dimension sizes. We can now offer an improved service."
Caradell - run by Mr Merrick and his brother Paul - currently employs five people but hopes to create other job opportunities in the near future.
Stuart Parkes, from the Access to Finance team at Advantage West Midlands, said: "I am delighted that Advantage West Midlands has been able to help Caradell with its development plans."
Mr Merrick said Caradell had plans to widen its customer base. "We have good local contacts but we are now looking further afield for work. We have already taken on work from Scotland and Slough," he said.
Caradell specialises in providing a subcontracted precision machining service to other engineering firms in a number of sectors including automotive and aerospace.
In a very competitive market the Merricks believe larger premises - 4,200 sq ft now compared to 2,800 sq ft - and better machinery could give it the edge. The company's turnover was £254,000 in 2006 but the forecast is for £295,000 by 2009.
