AJ Engineering buys acres of land in Forres to more than double its production capabilities and employ more staff
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A LOCAL engineering and construction firm plans to more than double its production capabilities and employ more staff over the next three years.
AJ Engineering based on the Greshop Industrial Estate has expanded its manufacturing sites, buying and adding 4.7 acres of neighbouring land previously owned by Moray Council.
Owned by Alan James confirmed the development will see the existing buildings at the former sawmill site at Waterford refurbished and a new automated fabrication facility installed.
He said: "We had previously rented the buildings and ground from the local authority and we were delighted when they agreed to sell the site to enable our plans. Final agreement was reached at the end of October and we can now push on.
"Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) has been fully involved in the development of the plans and supported us with a grant of £420,000 for our investment in the first and second phases.
"The plan now is to refurbish the buildings and to install a new automated fabrication facility to make us more efficient, with the ability to increase throughput at a lower production cost.
"Our skilled fabricators will be available to concentrate on more technical projects and will no longer have to spend time measuring, marking or drilling beams as the new machine will do this automatically from details downloaded directly from our drawing office.
"With the skilled workforce available, we would be able to seek a greater number of complex projects."
Phase one is to refurbish the existing buildings at Waterford, purchase and commission a cut and drill line. Phase two is the installation of an automatic shotblaster and the third phase is the purchase of a plate processor.
It is expected that the automated fabrication cut and drill line will be up-and-running by mid-summer next year.
Business development account manager with HIE, Steve Richards, pointed out that Moray is renowned for innovation and manufacturing and AJ Engineering is a key part of this.
He said: "This is a fantastic project and a great example of a dynamic Scottish manufacturing firm pursuing its growth ambitions through innovation and automation. It’s also brilliant news for Forres and the wider local economy, particularly in relation to the expectation of new opportunities for young people through apprenticeships. We are very pleased to be able to provide support and very much look forward to seeing the new facility take shape."
The last significant investment from AJ Engineering was in October 2015 when it bought the Fort William-based engineering firm Northern Engineering & Welding Co (NEWCo).
AJ Engineering currently sits on a total of 2.25 acres at its Greshop Industrial Estate sites, whilst the sister company NEWCo comprises a workshop within 2.7 acres.
