Jobs hope as tech firm seeks to build factory
A TECHNOLOGY company in Newport could be set to create nearly 100 new jobs if plans to build a new factory in the city are given the green light. SPTS Technologies has applied to Newport council to build a factory on a brownfield site in Imperial Park in Coedkernew, near Duffryn.
The proposals, which were originally submitted to the council in October 2021, would see the technology manufacturer move its official headquarters from its existing home on Ringland Way, near the Coldra roundabout.
Formed in 2009, SPTS Technologies provides wafer processing solutions to the microelectronics industry. Its products are used in the likes of smartphones, tablet computers and games consoles.
According to the planning application, SPTS wants to build the threestorey manufacturing and research and development facility and administration office as it will outgrow its existing site by mid-2023. It said the new factory would allow it to grow its workforce from 360 to 450 employees, meaning 90 jobs would be created immediately once the site is built.
It said it would be seeking further expansion over the next few years which would further expand its workforce to 650, and intends to develop a further phase at the site in the near future. It said this would create more jobs that would be relocated from existing European operations.
The application was previously considered by planners in February, but before it was given the go-ahead SPTS said the design of the proposal no longer met their requirements and submitted a revised application for the 4.2 hectare plot of land. The plans are not expected to impact on the nearby community as the nearest neighbours are approximately 300 metres away and separated from the factory site by other buildings, roads and trees.
The council’s head of highway services has objected to the plans, saying the 438 proposed parking spaces are around 40 short of what would be needed for the factory. All residents within 100 metres of the development were contacted and no objections were received, while one positive response was received.
Newport council was expected to approve the application yesterday, subject to conditions.
Earlier this year, WalesOnline reported US tech giant Microsoft had acquired the former Quinn Radiators building at the Imperial Park scheme as part of plans for a data centre in Newport.