New £6m 3D printing factory in Sheffield 'to safeguard 200 jobs'

A new £6m factory featuring the latest 3D printing technology will safeguard 200 manufacturing jobs in Sheffield, it has been claimed.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2017, 15:22 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 09:37 BST
Sir Andrew Cook, chairman of William Cook HoldingsSir Andrew Cook, chairman of William Cook Holdings
Sir Andrew Cook, chairman of William Cook Holdings

William Cook Holdings designs and makes components for blue chip customers in the energy, defence, rail and aerospace sectors.

The family-run firm's new Precision factory at its existing Parkway Avenue site, near Darnall, will combine the latest in 3D printing with investment casting technology.

Lord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class productsLord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class products
Lord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class products
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It says the cutting-edge equipment will speed up production of complex components with 'unprecedented' accuracy, enabling it to win new customers and protect 200 jobs in the city.

Lord Sebastian Coe, the double Olympic champion and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president, will today return to the city where he grew up to officially open the new facility.

Lord Coe said the new factory would allow the company to compete for business at an 'international level'.

He told how his father Peter had been a production director at a well-known cutlery company in Sheffield, and the manufacturing industry was close to his heart.

Lord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class productsLord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class products
Lord Sebastian Coe said it was 'inspiring' to see a firm in the city where he grew up producing world class products
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"It is inspiring to come home today and see this successful family business making world class products in Sheffield," he said.

Sir Andrew Cook, chairman of the family-run firm, said: "This is not only an investment in our family company, but also in our employees, customers, suppliers and the City of Sheffield.

“William Cook has been in Sheffield since the late 19th century and is the only traditional large Sheffield manufacturer with our name still ‘over the shop’.

"This investment has totally renovated and modernised our site at Parkway and we believe it will play an increasingly important role in Sheffield’s - and Britain’s - manufacturing capability."

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The company recently recruited a dozen apprentices - it biggest intake in recent history - as it seeks to grow.

They are training at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham before they begin learning on the job.

Lord Coe is attending the factory's launch after the firm supported his Sebastian Coe Charitable Foundation.

The William Cook group began life in 1840 as a steel casting manufacturer and has factories in Sheffield, Leeds and County Durham.

Related topics:SheffieldAndrew Cook