Engineering news
The Welsh government had invested £2.8 million to help create 90 new steel jobs in Wales and safeguard a further 477 positions.
Ken Skates, economy secretary, said the investment at Code Serve in Brynmawr, Dyfed Steels in Llanelli, Express Reinforcements in Neath and Celsa Steel in Cardiff would help to secure a sustainable future for the Welsh steel industry.
Dyfed Steels - the largest independent steel stockholder and processor in Wales and the south west – is investing more than £4 million in a new manufacturing facility. The expansion is backed by £750,000 of Welsh government support and will create 30 new jobs and safeguard more than 170 in Carmarthenshire.
Meanwhile, 50 new jobs are being created at Code Serve in Brynmawr following an expansion and relocation plan supported by funding from the Welsh government.
Express Reinforcements in Neath, a company that specialises in the manufacturing and supply of steel reinforcement products for the construction sector, is investing £150,000 in bespoke machinery and IT hardware and soft ware to increase capacity. The move will create and safeguard 22 jobs and has been supported by £65,000 from Welsh government.
Finally, the Welsh government is providing £1.6 million towards major environmental improvements at Celsa Manufacturing’s two key steel production sites in Cardiff.
The move will safeguard up to 280 jobs and support the growth and sustainability of the business. The investment will help safeguard the future of around 280 jobs including employees, contract workers and supply chain personnel.
Skates said: “The steel sector is a key priority for the Welsh government and I am delighted to announce support for four businesses that between them are investing £8.75 million in new facilities, new equipment, expansion projects and environmental improvements in Wales.
“The announcement of new jobs is of course always welcome, but at a time when the sector faces extremely difficult trading conditions and stiff global competition, the safeguarding of existing jobs is more important than ever to the sustainability of the sector and the growth of our economy,” he added.