Sewtec looks to next generation in robotics

Sewtec’s 5,500 sq ft centre, which has created six new jobs, was built using a grant from the Leeds City Region Business Growth Programme. A further four jobs are expected to be created next year.

The building is based at Ravensthorpe Industrial Estate in West Yorkshire and includes a secure build area where confidential customer projects can be developed and constructed in privacy.

The company builds production lines for a number of major multi-national companies, with installations carried out throughout the world including Russia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and Australia.

Currently 80 per cent of the company’s business is overseas. Turnover has quadrupled in the last five years to £20m and Sewtec employs nearly 100 people.

The centre will work alongside customer teams to assess the feasibility and costings for any proposed new system and create initial test rigs.

It will also offer graduate training opportunities, enabling them to gain experience in all areas of design and automation.

In addition, Sewtec is partnering with a number of universities including Huddersfield University’s engineering department and the Keyworth Institute at Leeds University to drive innovation and new product development.

Managing director Bernard Meehan said: “The continuing development of technology means both products and pack formats are becoming increasingly complex and this makes the design and installation of effective assembly and packing systems ever-more challenging,”

Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell officially opened the new building yesterday.

Sewtec was established in 1867 as the design and development house for sewing machine manufacturer Singer. It broke away from the sewing industry in 1982.