WIREDGOV

Cytec Industries Inc is expanding operations in Wrexham and investing up to £65million in a new manufacturing facility to supply advanced adhesive materials to the largest OEMs in the aerospace industry.

Initially discussed at Farnborough Airshow, the expansion opportunity was subsequently supported by the Welsh Government to secure the investment for Wales that will create up to 50 new highly skilled jobs.

Cytec Aerospace Materials is a premier supplier of composite materials for the commercial and military aerospace markets, manufacturing advanced material solutions for unique and demanding aerospace applications including primary and secondary structures, interiors, engines and nacelles.

Wrexham is the main location for Cytec Aerospace Materials European technical service and development team, including the Aerospace Materials’ European customer service.  The site currently employs 230 people.

This new facility – opposite their existing manufacturing plant on the Wrexham Industrial Estate - will primarily supply their EU and Asia-Pacific customers and meet the growing demand globally for their products.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart, who met Bill Wood, President of Cytec Aerospace Materials, at the Paris and Farnborough Airshow said:

“This is great news and I am delighted Cytec has agreed that this expansion goes ahead in Wales.

“It is a significant investment by Cytec and a major commitment to their operation in Wales. Cytec operates in one of our key economic sectors and is a global player and I am pleased the Welsh Government was able to provide the support needed to secure this very important expansion for Wales.”

The Welsh Government identified and sold the company a suitable four acre site it owned on Abenbury Way for the expansion and assembled a team of architects, planners and property experts to carry out all the preparatory work and environmental studies to ensure the site was available for development  within the time scales required.

The team also drew up plans to fit the 7000 sq.mt. facility, car parking and service park on the site and obtained outline planning approval.

Bill Wood, President Aerospace Materials, said:

“The support of the Welsh Government has been instrumental in enabling this expansion to go ahead in Wales and very much appreciated.

“Aerospace manufacturers are increasingly turning to advanced materials to reduce aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency. Our investments in adhesive resin materials are a clear demonstration of our commitment to the industry’s growth and its need for optimized production and supply capacity,” he added.

Work is due to commence in September 2015.