130 jobs on the way as factory reopens for work on new cab

AN ENGINEERING factory mothballed in 2014 is to reopen following a £9.6m investment that will create 130 jobs over the next five years.

The Sapa Components UK plant in Bedwas will make components for a new zero emissions-capable London cab.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates will today attend the reopening of the Norwegian-owned company’s site, which will be producing aluminium components for the TX-5, which will replace the diesel-powered black cab with a model that utilises a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The investment is backed by £550,000 from the Welsh Government, which helped bring the project to Wales despite competition from another European facility. First Minister Carwyn Jones met senior officials from the Sapa group during his visit to Norway in January and pressed the business case for bringing the investment to Wales.

The Bedwas site was mothballed in 2014 following changes in market conditions, but was retained by Sapa.

The opportunity to reopen the facility occurred when Sapa Components UK, which supplies all major vehicle manufacturers with aluminium-based subassemblies and components, secured contracts to supply the new London cab.

Mr Skates said “The Welsh Government is proud to have supported Sapa’s extensive investment.”