New research centre is all sewn up

Sewtec, which designs and installs production lines for the food, tobacco and pharmaceutical industries, invested £500,000 in the centre at Ravensthope Industrial Estate, which was officially opened by Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Simon Reevell on Friday.

The 5,500 square foot building has already resulted in six new jobs, including two graduate designers, and it is expected to create four more positions early next year.

The centre will also offer graduate training opportunities, allowing trainees to gain experience in all areas of design and automation.

And it includes a secure build area where confidential customer projects can be developed in complete privacy.

Sewtec managing director Bernard Meehan said: “Our new research and development centre will enable us to provide vital early support work for our customers which will help to ease the decision-making process for investment in new systems.

“It will also allow us to refine and further improve our design and technical expertise and so continue to expand our product offering and grow our business in both existing and new markets.”

The company, which has a turnover of £20m, used a grant from the Leeds City Region Business Growth Programme to fund the centre.