AN ENGINEERING firm is hoping its transformation of a Flintshire industrial site will be a benefit to the community and bring work opportunities to the area.
The Leader reported last week how the site at 14 Aber Road, Flint, was sold to Birkenhead-based Pressure Part Engineering for £700,000.
Craig Gerrard, managing director of the company, has spoken to the Leader about his hopes and aims for the company at its new site - and what the move means for local suppliers and tradespeople looking for work.
He said: "We formed the company in September 2021 and are in rented accommodation.
"We were looking for a site that would sustain the business for the entirety of its life.
"The facility will be predominantly used for carbon steel pressure part fabrication.
"We've ordered a 6.3 tonne overhead crane to go in the building, which will be installed late February this year.
"We anticipate a minimum of 10 welding bays, four general assembly bays and a large open space for assembly - including pressure testing and heat treatment."
Mr Gerrard explained the business at present has a core staff of 25 and takes on skilled tradespeople on a temporary basis when the industry work is available.
Its workforce swelled to 53 during its peak in 2023.
"We are looking to increase the workforce over time," Mr Gerrard said.
"That includes increasing the core workforce to 35, some of which will be dedicated local resource in a number of roles from admin to trades.
"And we're anticipating our peak labour resource in 2024 to be at least 75.
"The areas we work in are large scale production facilities, power stations, oil and gas - on and off shore - including platforms off the west coast of Africa.
Mr Gerrard explained he hopes that once the company is set up at its new Flint base, it can support the local community.
"We don't want to just be a building on the corner of Aber Road that no one knows that it is," he continued.
"We're looking to form relationships with local suppliers and potential employees.
"We have now engaged our first full time fabricator/welder from the Shotton area and we're expecting a significant upturn in temporary trades opportunities from March onwards.
"As part of our engagement with the local community, we will be holding an open day so people can come in, have a walk around, have a chat and a cup of tea.
"It's our first time being based in Wales and we want to embrace it and really be part of the community."
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