Renishaw, the company which took over the former Bosch plant, has begun work on developing the site at Miskin, Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood has been told.
Leanne Wood, who worked at the Bosch plant, wrote to the Gloucestershire-based engineering company in the wake of its takeover of the complex last October.
Head of Communications Chris Pockett told the South Wales Central AM: “We have now made a start with our development of the Miskin site. The first phase is the renovation of 10,000 sq ft of space in the annexe to the East Production Hall, and this will be followed by a second phase development which will see the refurbishment of an area of approximately 50,000 sq ft within the East Production Hall.
“Further refurbishment and employment will depend on how quickly world trade develops. However, our intention is to eventually occupy the whole of the existing building.”
Leanne Wood, who is a candidate for the Plaid Cymru leadership, said: “The closure of Bosch was a huge blow to the South Wales economy with a loss of many highly skilled and well-paid jobs, many of which were held by people in the valleys.
“I’m really pleased that Renishaw has now starting renovating the site and I look forward to the creation of many jobs for local people in the future. It is important that the manufacturing experience within this area of South Wales is not lost for good.”
Renishaw employs around 1,550 staff based at its five sites in Gloucestershire. Last year it said its plans for south Wales – involving its healthcare products – would not impact on its existing factories, where they also planned to expand.
