Expansion granted

Sulzer Pumps (UK) has expanded its operations in Bootle after receiving a £550,000 grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The closure of the Rolls-Royce facility in Bootle, Merseyside, and the redundancy of more than 200 skilled workers has provided Sulzer with an opportunity to expand its operations, with its Leeds site operating at close to full capacity.

The expansion will create an additional 45 posts for skilled staff within the local area and is forecast to add £3m in profits to the business by the end of 2011. Steven Broomhead, chief executive at the NWDA, believes that its presence will prove beneficial to the Merseyside economy in terms of retaining skills and attracting new investment.

Broomhead said: ‘The demise of Merseyside’s Rolls-Royce operation in Bootle was a significant blow for the stability of the local economy. With 200 jobs lost it was important the NWDA worked quickly with Sulzer to establish a similar operation to alleviate any further economic distress.’