Russians in Redditch

A subsidiary of giant Russian metals group VSMPO-AVISMA is creating jobs in Redditch.

VSMPO-Tirus UK has taken new premises at the io Centre on Nash Road and now has three units on the Church Commissioners-owned complex – numbers 5, 7 and 12. – all with the help of property agents John Truslove.

VSMPO-Tirus UK switched from Milton Keynes four years ago, moving into Unit 12 and trebling the size of its previous premises. Two years ago it added extra warehouse space with Unit 5. Now it has established a machining centre in Unit 7.

Ian Perks, operations director, said: “We came with 11 people four years ago, it is currently 28, we have taken four on this year already and we are still expanding.

“We deal in titanium and 95 per cent of our business is with the big aerospace companies such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce – both keep winning contracts. We moved to Redditch to be nearer our customers. From Redditch you have the motorway routes north to Rolls-Royce at Derby and down to Airbus at Bristol.”

Ian Parker, a partner of Redditch-based John Truslove, added: “It is a terrific vote of confidence in the West Midlands.

“The UK retains massive expertise in aerospace and our region has massive expertise in logistics.”

VSMPO-Tirus UK took 6,860 sq ft at Unit 7 on a ten year lease at a rent of £37,650.

Parent company VSMPO-AVISMA is the world’s largest titanium producer.

Located near Yekaterinburg, VSMPO-AVISMA also operates facilities in Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. The company produces titanium, aluminium, and magnesium alloys.

It has revenues of around $1 billion.

And another metals firm, expanding in Redditch with the aid of John Truslove, is Tamworth Steel Stockholders.

It paid £280,000 for the 11,717 sq ft Unit 61 on the Enfield Industrial Estate, having been looking for freehold premises in the town for many years.

The 25 acre Estate is the former Royal Enfield Motor Cycle factory.

Tamworth Steel Stockholders also has premises in Birmingham and Witney in Oxfordshire.