Cookies on Zenoot

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. More info

Sign up to our weekly newsletter here Sign up

3 minute read

Pentaxia growth accelerates with new people and new premises

Derby-based Pentaxia is set to expand, with more than 20 new jobs in the pipeline, and a move to 70,000 ft2 of new manufacturing and high-quality office space later this year.

The family-run, advanced composites manufacturer, which celebrated its ninth anniversary in May, has grown by more than 60 per cent during the past twelve months, following a rapid increase in demand for lightweight, high-performance components from its blue-chip customers in the aerospace, automotive and motorsport industries.

Managing director Stephen Ollier said: “We’ve been very happy at Longbridge Lane and it’s been an exciting journey. We’ve built a strong management team who are keen to expand in order to meet growing demand from our customers. We’ve had an offer accepted on a new site on the north side of Derby City, quite close to our current facility, which will provide us with triple our current production space so we can continue our rapid growth. More importantly, the site covers 6 acres, which gives us room to expand even further in the future; possibly doubling the space again. It will also allow us to concentrate all our operations under one roof, significantly improving productivity.

“The National Composites Centre predicts huge growth in this market and if that’s correct, then we will need all this available space in the future. I believe this move places us in prime position to take advantage of these opportunities, which is good news for the company, for UK trade, especially post-Brexit, but most of all for Derby as it will generate a lot of highly skilled jobs in this exciting sector.”

Pentaxia produces advanced composites and is investing in a new manufacturing facility in Derby / Picture: Pentaxia

 

The team is currently recruiting for an experienced composites project engineer, a management accountant and trainee laminators, with more recruitment planned next year. Planning for the move has already begun, to ensure there is no impact on production, and the firm has invested in two new Italmatic autoclaves, a new clean room and fitting complex for the new site, enabling production to be transferred smoothly and rapidly. Current plans also include new machine tools and additional paint facilities.

Sustainability also a key focus

Pentaxia is also driving towards a more sustainable future and is one of the first employers in Derby to install electrical vehicle (EV) POD Points for customers and employees.

This investment in green technology demonstrates commitment to sustainability and staff welfare. Two employees have already taken the opportunity to use the POD Point units, enabling them to invest in hybrid vehicles that will improve air quality, cut travelling costs and reduce society’s dependence on fossil fuels. Additional points will also be installed in Pentaxia’s new facility.

Stephen Ollier added: “Like us, our clients in the aerospace and automotive markets are committed to innovation and sustainability, so it’s no surprise that we were keen to embrace the electric car movement. As we grow and build our workforce, I believe we need to do it in a sustainable way, future-proofing our facilities and creating a better community and environment for our employees to work in. I want to help my staff live in a more sustainable way and I hope this decision will help more employees who are thinking about buying a new car, think about going green!”

Pentaxia have installed POD Point for staff & customers to use / Picture: Pentaxia