Royal approval for MTL Group’s new facility

Steel engineering firm’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent

MTL Group’s new 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Rotherham was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Kent on 6 July 2011.

Escorted by the Lord-Lieutenant for South Yorkshire, HRH The Duke of Kent was greeted by MTL Group managing director Dr Henry Shirman and the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.

The Duke was among the invited guests who celebrated the occasion at the £5 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which was acquired to meet MTL Group’s growing presence in the steel engineering sector.

Dr Shirman led the Duke on a tour of the Grange Lane facility, which supplies blue chip OEMs with products ranging from laser-cut parts to fully machined fabrications.

Following a sustained period of sales growth since a management buy-out, MTL Group have doubled their manufacturing space, which has been supported by a major growth in export sales.

The new facility comprises four manufacturing bays that house all of MTL Group’s manufacturing under one roof. This includes the world’s largest robotic press brake and the UK’s largest water-jet and bevel laser cutting machines.

Following a short introduction by Dr Shirman, HRH the Duke of Kent declared the building open in front more than 200 MTL Group employees.

Dr Shirman said: ‘His Royal Highness was very impressed with the state-of-the-art facilities and praised MTL Group on its contribution to UK manufacturing.’

One area of particular interest to the Duke was MTL Group’s support in supplying armoured steel for UK defence vehicles. The company is currently manufacturing and supplying the V-shaped hull for the new Foxhound vehicle that will replace the Snatch Land Rover from 2012 in high-threat locations.