Welsh First Minster visits new £375k manufacturing centre
Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones visited a new £375,000 government funded manufacturing facility.
Zip Clip, which manufactures high specification suspension systems for the electrical, mechanical, heating and ventilation industries, based in Welshpool, moved to a new facility on the Offa's Dyke Business Park last year thanks to £1.8 million of government funding.
Further funding has allowed it to further expand the facility by 6,000 square feet, and the First Minister was on hand to meet the founders of the business and take a tour of the site.
The business now exports to 23 countries nationwide and its products have been used in the American Embassy at Nine Elms in London, the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and the London Olympics Aquatic Centre.
The turnover increased last year from £4.5 million to £5.5 million, and it is expected to further rise as the business expands.
The government has helped a host of business in Mid Wales to expand in recent years and the First Minister said: "We work best with business when we work together, to make sure we are building in the right places to provide the best employment opportunities for local people.
"This is an example of that.
"It is good to hear about the company's success overseas, and they are a valuable member of the business community here in Mid Wales."
The company was founded 14 years ago by Steven Goldsworthy and Matthew Clay-Michael in a small unit on the Vastre Industrial Estate in Newtown.
It now has facilities in France and Melbourne and continues to grow and export to countries all over Europe and to to the likes of Dubai and South Africa.
It currently has a workforce of 40 people, with many coming from the local area and that is set to double in the next five years.
Mr Clay-Michael said none of it would have been possible without assistance from the Welsh Government.
He added: "When we began we were very ambitious, the first person who saw our product said it was a waste of time but we always believed we could grow the business.
"It shows what you can do when you work with the Welsh Government and we are grateful for the help they have given us.
"It is essential to work with the Welsh Government to grow in this area like we have."
