Group Rhodes, the advanced engineering company, has relocated to its new, refurbished premises in Wakefield, creating 21 new jobs in the process. The new site is only half a mile from where the business was founded in 1824.
The company, which designs, manufactures and services machinery for the clay preparation, metalworking and materials handling industries, has invested £800,000 in its new premises, equipment and its infrastructure, including new heating and extraction systems, office equipment, new electrics and IT systems, mezzanine floors and production machinery.
In addition, Group Rhodes successfully secured a Leeds City Region LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) grant of £70,000, which helped to create the new roles. The roles include CNC machine operators, service engineers, production support personnel, design engineers, sales engineers and a Quality Health and Safety and Environmental (QHSE) Manager. Over the past 12 months, the company has also invested in its service fleet, with eight new commercial vehicles acquired, taking the total investment in the business over the last 12 months to over £1m.
Left to right Richard Halstead, EEF Membership Engagement Director, North,with Mark Ridgway CEO of Group Rhodes and Roger Marsh OBE.
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), officially opened the new Calder Vale site for Group Rhodes on 4th July, he said: “This is an exciting time for Group Rhodes as the business relocates onto one site, right in the heart of Wakefield. The grant has enabled the company to grow even further, creating several new employment opportunities in the area. The new factory gives a fantastic view of modern manufacturing and we wish Group Rhodes all the best for the future.”
To mark the opening of the new premises, Group Rhodes held an Open Day, including a factory tour for around 200 customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, followed by a presentation by Mark Ridgway, CEO of Group Rhodes and the official opening. The Open Day gave delegates the opportunity to learn more about Group Rhodes’ products and recent installations. They were also able to take advantage of 3D visualisation technology to gain an insight into Group Rhodes’ future designs and there were video presentations on British manufacturing.
Group Rhodes CEO Mark Ridgway said: “The Open Day marks an important milestone in our company’s history and demonstrates our investment in the company’s future. By operating from these purpose-equipped premises and with access to the latest technology and equipment, we can now collaborate even better as a business and extend our growth into new UK and international markets, creating further prosperity in this region. We are very excited about what the future holds for all our staff and our business.”