Bond It will invest an extra £300,000 into its main manufacturing facility in Elland, West Yorkshire in Q1 2017, following up a long term programme of investment in the manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals.
Over £1/2 million was invested in 2014/2015 and then £1.1 million in 2016. The latest investment - which includes grant funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (The LEP) - will help Bond It to both increase and diversify its production output.
Bond It said it had seen growing demand from UK customers for its ‘Best of British’ manufactured products and it was also to pursue ambitious plans for future growth which include maximising strong export potential.
This latest cash boost will be used to install additional, state-of-the-art and semi-automated plant to produce sealants, adhesives and fillers in a number of specific pack formats. This includes product packaged in 900mm composite ‘jumbo’ cartridges and foil ‘sausages’ – two formats which are popular with high volume users such as professional contractors.
The new plant will also be used to produce Bond It’s new ‘Squeezies’ range. Targeted at the DIY market, the Squeezies range allows users to benefit from some of Bond It’s bestselling products – including its ‘Saves Nails’ adhesive, Flexible Filler, Door & Window Sealant and Bathroom & Kitchen Sealant – in convenient, squeezable and resealable plastic tubes.
New jobs & training
Following the investment, three new jobs will be created. To help train staff in the operation of the new plant, Bond It is also receiving a training grant from The LEP.
Graham Helm, Operations Director at Bond It (pictured), said: “Bond It is proud to be a true, vertically integrated, UK-based manufacturer of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals as opposed to a business which procures and repacks products manufactured by third parties.
“The latest investment will add to our already extensive production capabilities and help support our continued success and growth. In particular, it will help us to develop export sales and to capitalise on strong global opportunities for our high quality, technically innovative products.”
LEP Chair, Roger Marsh OBE, added: “The LEP can provide grants to help businesses grow by fitting-out and refurbishing their premises or, as in Bond It’s case, by investing in new technology and equipment.
“Designed to support Leeds City Region companies in creating new, permanent jobs, grants are available of between £10,000 and £250,000. Although aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, we do consider applications from larger companies under certain circumstances. Grants are also available to businesses planning to invest in the City Region.
“Companies requiring this kind of investment to expand or relocate can find out more about LEP grants by visiting www.the-lep.com/, by contacting our Business Growth team on 0113 3481818 or by emailing BusinessGrowth@the-lep.com.”
