A fifth generation quality components company that was one of Birmingham’s pioneers in laser engineering technology believes its move to Redditch has given it a new lease of life and a springboard for the future.
Mackenzie Tools and Production Ltd, now known as MTP Laser, started life in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in 1940 as a toolmaker, presswork specialist and welder. Twenty-one years ago MTP moved to Saltley where it remained until this year when the company relocated to a modern unit at Palmers Road, East Moons Moat.
The company, which had a turnover of £1 million last year, paid £350,000 in an acquisition from vendor Simon Reader, organised by business property consultants John Truslove.
Managing director Alec Stretch, great grandson of the founder of the business which employs 16 workers, said: “We could not find any suitable industrial freeholds in Birmingham at a realistic price and then we started asking ourselves – do we need to be in Birmingham?
"We had not considered Redditch but, living in Shirley, I thought it might be convenient and eventually came out to see for myself. John Truslove did everything right and it looked good – especially the price, the site, the location and the logistics. More clients have been out to see us in the last few weeks than in three years at Saltley.”
