Metflex Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Great Harwood

A well known Hyndburn based precision rubber moulded component manufacturer is going from strength to strength following relocation to new premises.

Metflex Precision Mouldings Ltd has now moved to new, 40,000 sq ft purpose built premises on Heys Lane Industrial Estate, as their former site on Queen Street, Great Harwood is being redeveloped for supermarket giant, Tesco. The official opening of the manufacturing facility by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Malcolm Pritchard, who will be joined by the Mayoress of Hyndburn, will take place on Wednesday 3rd November 2010.

Metflex first started as the Metropolitan Leather Company based in the east end of London but this base was destroyed in a bombing raid and subsequently relocated to premises on Queen Street in Great Harwood in 1941. By the sixties and following extensive research into alternative materials, the company changed its name to Metropolitan Flexible Products (Metflex) and moved into polymer diaphragm and precision moulding production. Thorn EMI took control in 1971, and Schlumberger in 1989.

In 2003 Metflex became a private independently owned business, following a management buy-out from Schlumberger, and now specialises in the manufacture and supply of precision rubber moulded components and diaphragms to a world wide customer base. Metflex offers customers a complete service, incorporating material development, concept planning, full project management, design, manufacture and tool trialling. The company serves a wide range of sectors including oil, gas and sub-sea applications.

The company contacted the Council's Business Support Team in August 2009 to see what land and property options and funding was available to assist with their growth plans. Following extensive discussions, the company opted to build a purpose built building with support from a local developer and explained that new machinery was required to increase production capacity and improve the manufacturing process. The company subsequently secured a grant of £20,000 from the No Limits Finance4Growth programme to purchase a Tung Yu 250 Twin Compression Forming Machine. 5 FT jobs have already been created.

John Holland, Managing Director at Metflex said: "We are very proud of our new facility in Great Harwood and the grant we have received has been great. It has allowed us to purchase brand new up to date plant. In the present climate where cash is tight, it is a great incentive to businesses. We needed the presses to allow penetration into new markets and since that time we have already fulfilled our obligation in creating an additional five permanent positions within the company"

Deputy Council leader, Cllr Peter Clarke said, "Metflex are a real local success story and I'm delighted that they have expanded the operation and moved into these new premises on Alan Ramsbottom Way in Great Harwood. In these challenging economic times this is fantastic news for the local economy. "