Historic Coventry Business Set to Break New Markets Thanks to Local Support and Funding
A family run design and manufacturing business is celebrating its 50 year anniversary with plans to expand and create new jobs.
NDE Clarke Pitchline, based at the historic former Riley Motor Company Works on Aldbourne Road, Coventry, specialises in the design, engineering and manufacture of a range of industrial drive and power transmission products and services, with clients across the globe.
A successful 2018, including the acquisition of a new Hankook vertical turning and milling centre machine thanks to a grant from Business Support Programme Investment Fund and assistance from the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, has allowed the firm to break into new markets, increase productivity and recruit staff.
The firm is expecting to increase its annual turnover by 25 per cent over the next 18 months off the back of the latest investment.
Plans are also now in place to expand the firm’s premises in 2019 and bring in more staff as it celebrates 50 years in business.
Chris Edgington, Commercial Director, said: “We are proud to be able to continue adding to the strong business heritage of our site, which many people in Coventry will remember as the thriving heart of the Riley Motor Company Works.
“To have had 50 successful years of our own here is incredible and the fact the anniversary has come while we are in such a strong period of growth is great for us and a credit to the whole team here.”
“We have invested in new staff and new equipment over the last few years, with this new machine really helping to transform our working practices and product development.”
“This investment has allowed us to be bold with our ambition and we are aiming to increase our long-term turnover.”
NDE Clarke Pitchline currently employs around 45 people, two of which were brought in as a direct result of the machine investment, which created two skilled production posts.
Last year, exports accounted for 30 per cent of the company’s revenue.
Gary Thyeson, Account Manager with the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, said: “NDE Clarke Pitchline is a fantastic company with strong historical roots in Coventry and we are delighted to be supporting their growth ambitions as they hit their 50th anniversary.
“It is crucial that businesses in the Coventry and Warwickshire area are known as leaders in their field and bringing in new technology such as the Hankook VMC machine helps put Chris and the team ahead of their competition.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub helped NDE Clarke Pitchline access £20,000 of funding towards the new machine through Coventry City Council’s Business Support Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Kierandeep Bal, business development advisor at Coventry City Council, added: “The purchase of the vertical milling centre machine has had such a big impact on NDE Clarke Pitchline in such a short space of time, which from our perspective is encouraging to see.
“The company is a fantastic example for other SME businesses in Coventry to look up to.”
