Edwina Hart AM
Load-Lok Manufacturing which makes a range of specialist cargo control systems is upgrading its facilities, bringing new work to the site and creating and safeguarding more than twenty jobs with Welsh Government support.
The Merthyr facility, which employs sixty people, is the main manufacturing site for the Netherlands headquartered Load-Lok International Group.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart announced Welsh Government funding support of £210,000 for the expansion during a visit to the company today (Thursday August 14). The grant from the Wales Economic Growth Fund will help create 10 new jobs and safeguard a further 12 jobs.
The Merthyr facility makes all the heavy load restraint products for the group for use in road haulage vehicles, containers and the airline industry. It also makes cargo slings and lashings for use in transport and general industry applications.
The Minister said: “ The company’s investment will support global sales and ensure the site remains competitive and efficient and able to meet the growing demand for its products. I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting Load-Lok’s growth plans which will create and safeguard manufacturing jobs.”
The £624,000 investment includes a new production facility to manufacture a pillar developed by the design team at Merthyr which provides an improved support structure for curtain sided containers.
The new design, which is being patented, has already been approved by two large German OEMs that make curtain sided vehicles and its manufacture in Merthyr will bring new work to the site as similar products are currently sourced from China.
The investment also involves upgrading part of the manufacturing facility to incorporate automated production as well as investment in new equipment to double production capacity.
Business & Finance Director Julie Lewis from Load-Lok said:” This is an important investment in Merthyr which will increase our production capacity, speed up the manufacturing process and bring new work to the site. It means we will be able to offer a more efficient and cost effective service.
“We pride ourselves on being a highly innovative company and delighted that a new product developed and designed in-house will now be produced here rather than out sourced from China. Support from the Welsh Government towards this expansion is vital and we look forward to creating new jobs in the area.”
Load-Lok customers include transport companies, trailer/bodybuilders, Original Equipment Manufacturers, distributors and retailers and their range of products are designed to help clients increase load volume, simplify handling and protect valuable shipments in road, rail, sea and air transport.
Load-Lok International Group employs 165 people across 15 European countries.
