Grant allows firm to grow

Compressortech - the only UK company to re-manufacture air conditioning compressors for the automotive industry - has moved to larger premises in Warwick and taken on extra staff after receiving support from a national funding initiative.

It made the £1.2 million move to the Budbrooke Industrial Estate in Budbrooke Road after receiving £148,000 from the Government’s Growing Places scheme which was approved by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

The company, established 32 years ago, moved from its 7,500 sq ft premises in Bordesley Green to a new 11,500 sq ft unit which includes a workshop, research and design studio, warehouse, training centre and sales office.

Fourteen new jobs for a sales manager, production and purchasing manager, assemblers, research and design experts and warehouse staff have also been created by the Growing Places funding.

The firm has also received support and guidance from Helena Bassett and the experienced team at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Jim McClean, managing director of Compressortech, said the business has grown from four employees to 18 members of staff because of the government grant.

“The new facility will allow us to meet customers’ demands and requirements and invite additional customers to work with us long-term.

“We would have struggled to fund the cost of the whole move without the Growing Places funding and although we would have done it, it would not have been as swift without the support we received. Normally, you associate grants with larger companies but the fact we have created jobs for 14 people is fantastic and we are grateful for the support.”