QTS Ltd – a leading manufacturer of wire mesh shelving and racking for warehouse and logistics use – has moved its manufacturing from China back to the UK, aided by a £287,000 grant from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The manufacturer based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, produces wire mesh-based shelves and racking for materials handling uses in warehouses. Its high-profile clients include leading brands across the UK and mainland Europe such as Amazon, Asda, and Jaguar Land Rover.
QTS has invested more than £1million in re-shoring the majority of its manufacturing base back into the UK. This has included gaining additional premises at Pinxton in Derbyshire, adding an additional 50,000 square feet of warehouse space to its existing operation.
The re-shoring operation was in response to QTS’ customer demand for shorter lead times and an ambition to improve efficiency. The move was helped by a £287,000 Unlocking Investment for Growth (UI4G) grant from D2N2; the Local Enterprise Partnership promoting economic growth in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
New, more advanced machinery has been installed at the Pinxton factory and it is now operational.
Shaun Ingram, Managing Director of QTS, said:
“Without the funding from D2N2 it would have been very difficult for us to complete the project in the timeframe we wanted.
“The banks we work with are very supportive but they have loan to value ratios to work with and as a business we couldn’t have afforded to take this sort of money from our cash flow. The grant made all the difference and allowed us to do this more quickly.”
The D2N2 UI4G programme has been supported by the Regional Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. UI4G grant awards are given by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Investment Panel, chaired by Board Member Peter Gadsby. The aim of the fund is to create long term sustainable jobs.
With the continued expansion of internet shopping, the demand for large distribution centres is increasing and, with that, the demand for QTS products.
Strong growth is predicted which will result in the creation of 17 new jobs over the next 12 months. With the Pinxton factory open, QTS is now looking to open an export division to further develop opportunities in mainland Europe.
Peter Gadsby, Chairman of the D2N2 LEP Investment Panel, added: “The extra capacity, shorter lead times and added value that comes with a UK manufactured product, will open up tremendous opportunities for QTS. We were delighted to have been able to bridge the funding gap and support the return of its manufacturing to the UK.”
UI4G is now fully committed and no longer accepting applications. Grants already approved will create over 400 new jobs and safeguard a further 350. The programme has inspired business owners in the D2N2 area to invest over £20million, alongside the grant support, to grow their businesses.
For media enquiries on this news release call D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby, on 01159 578749 or email sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
