Engineering giant plans £3 million pound expansion near Peterborough

Spirotech-SRD, in Brookside Industrial Estate, Glatton Road, is waiting for planning permission to build a new factory premises on a nine acre site to the east of Old Great North Road, Sawtry, close to the A1.

Once completed, the company plans to move its operations from the Brookside Industrial Estate and in York and Aberdeen to the site.

It will see the number of jobs increase from 65 to 82 staff.

David Gadesby, engineering director, said: "We have the land and the people waiting to go - we're just waiting for planning permission from Huntingdonshire District Council.

"Our current site is restricting our growth and we are keen to get the new premises up and running.

"It will also mean fewer lorry movements through Sawtry. It can be very difficult transporting some of the systems we make through the village. we have outgrown the site."

Spirotech-SRD specialises in the cutting, assembly and welding of metal products and is a global leader in the design, manufacture and delivery of screw conveyors, pressurevessels, elevators, feeders, dischargers and de-watering systems for the most demanding commercial environments worldwide.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara recently visited Spirotech-SRD to learn about the firm's expansion plans.

He was shown around the factory during which its apprenticeship scheme was also outlined.

Mr Vara said: "Providing our young people with the best start to get on in life and to have a rewarding career is hugely important.

"Apprenticeships provide young people the opportunity to learn a valuable skill while earning at the same time.

"They can raise the productivity of the businesses they join, and I have always been proud to support them.

"Spirotech offer unique specialist products and it is great to see that they are succeeding internationally and providing essential local jobs in Sawtry.

"The expansion plans are impressive, and I look forward to seeing the new site once planning has been approved.”

Mr Gadsby added: "We were delighted to welcome Mr Vara to our head office in Sawtry to share our growth plans for the future.

"It is great that he could take time out of his busy schedule, this only goes to show that our MP is committed to local business. We look forward to hosting Mr Vara for a tour of our new facility in the near future.”