Telford engineering giant GKN begins multi-million pound investment in wheel-making

The company's Wheels & Structures operation has kicked off a multi-million pound investment programme which will cover each of its seven manufacturing plants worldwide.

The largest part of that investment is expected to be delivered at the historic Hadley Park factory in Telford.

Due to be completed next summer, the investment is intended to give the plant at Hadley Park the best off-road wheels rim line and paint facility in the world.

It will provide GKN's plant with a larger range of wheel sizes, shorter changeover times and more flexibility in the size of the batches of wheels it produces.

It will also introduce electro-coat and powder coating facilities which are designed for the automotive industry, and which will give wheels a finish which is resistant to salt spray.

GKN Wheels and Structures' managing director Paul Wyatt said: “Our clear ambition is to be the best wheel and structures organisation in the world and in many respects, we are already there, with market-leading product development, test facilities and manufacturing capabilities.

"However, by working closely with our customers and better understanding their needs, we are constantly striving to identify improvement areas across our business.

"This investment programme will make sure that each of our facilities continues to be truly world-class.”

The investment will also cover plants in China, Denmark and the USA.

Mr Wyatt added: "“Our investment at Telford and our other locations is enabling us to maintain our position as leader in technology and quality, as well as delivering a significant increase in manufacturing capability and flexibility to meet the changing needs of the market.

"We will be able to provide customers with an increased wheel size range as well as further enhanced quality across all our plants.

“Having manufactured the world’s first steel wheel in Telford in 1910, we are very proud of our history and pedigree.

"Thanks to the continued financial and technological support of the GKN group, we look forward to these investment programmes coming on stream not only to enhance our capability, but also to reinforce our reputation for market-leading technology and quality.”

The £8.8 billion-turnover engineering giant's operation at Telford, formerly part of the land systems division but latterly classed within Other Businesses, makes a variety of products including chassis for cars and off-road vehicles like tractors and diggers.

It had struggled last year amid a downturn in agricultural markets and the end of certain contracts, leading to a number of people being made redundant. About 340 people are now employed at Hadley Park.