One of the oldest firms in Rhondda Cynon Taf has celebrated its 70th birthday by securing essential investment to ensure it continues into the future.
Jacob Beatus in Porth was formed by Jewish immigrants who fled to the Rhondda from Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
The company continues to be owned by Claude Beatus and employs 50 people.
While being one of the oldest and most historic firms in the county borough, Jacob Beatus has its feet placed firmly in the future as it designs and manufactures packaging, cartons and boxes for a wide range of products – from the confectionary industry and cosmetics to the motor trade to pharmaceuticals.
It has recently secured funding from the LIF Cymru South East Wales (Local Investment Fund South East Wales) which is being delivered across RCT, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and Torfaen.
Managed locally by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Business Support team, the fund was developed with support from the Welsh Assembly Government through the European Regional Development Fund, under the Convergence Fund.
Aimed primarily at manufacturing businesses, the grant aims to help them develop and grow by investing in equipment or services that can support their future and encourage future job opportunities.
Jacob Beatus used the investment to purchase an improved computer server that enables it to use new management information systems and design studio software to continue its work.
Steven Lord, Managing Director of Jacob Beatus, said: “On behalf of the company, I would like to say that the support we received to assist us with our IT investment, enabling better and more powerful management information systems has been well received.
“We thank RCT’s Business Support Team for all their assistance and support. We are a valleys company that brings employment to the area and have done so for 70 years.
“It is very much appreciated that the Council is willing and is, indeed, proactive in its support for companies like ours.”
Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development, said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is committed to doing what it can to ensure our businesses and town centres secure the investment and support they need to continue to thrive, especially in the current economic crisis.
“We have a dedicated Business Support Team that works hard to maximise opportunities presented to us through investment schemes such as this, and we are pleased to be able to secure this funding and then allocate it accordingly across the county borough.
“It is pleasing to see that a firm with such strong roots and rich history has secured the investment it needs to expand into the future.”
About Jacob Beatus
One of the greatest success of the company is as a result of its dedicated, local workforce. Of the 50 people who work there, three have served in excess of 40 years.
The record length of employment at Jacob Beatus is held by Eddie Meredith of Penygraig, who retired in 1991 after serving for 48 years.
One of Eddie’s first duties was to put the black out shutters up each evening during the war, back when the company was based in its first factory in Hannah Street, which stood where the Jobcentre is now.
Pride of place in the company’s boardroom is their first Order Book ledger, which starts on the 1 December 1943, when the events of that month included the ending of Prohibition in the USA, the intensification of Germany’s bombing campaign over Britain and the Allied Forces bombing of Berlin.
The ledger closes on August 31 1966, when events included the cultural revolution in China, John Lennon’s apology for saying The Beatles were more popular than Jesus and England recently winning the World Cup.
This order book was certainly penned in historic times and since then the Company has continued its forward progress through the annals of history for a further 46 years culminating in its 70th Anniversary this year.
For more information, visit www.beatuscartons.co.uk
