BCW plots 80,000 sq ft expansion in Burnley

Engineering company BCW Manufacturing Group is set to nearly double its manufacturing and warehousing capability in Burnley by January next year.

The manufacturer has previously expanded its purpose-built facilities at Innovation Drive, having delivered 55,000 sq ft of manufacturing space on the site in 2015, which took its total space up to 100,000 sq ft.

BCW has now signalled its intention to nearly double in size, and will deliver two buildings of 50,000 sq ft and 30,000 sq ft in size by January next year, with Barnfield acting as main contractor.

These facilities will be primarily used for automotive extrusion machining and automated assembly, which the company said was in response to growing demand in the UK for lightweight aluminium vehicle chassis, particularly from hybrid and electric vehicles.

Barnfield will build the two facilities on a brownfield site which was formerly part of the Michelin plant.

Alec Cassie, managing director of BCW, said the investment would create up to 50 new jobs over the next three years.

“With new contracts of a substantial size from prestigious automotive manufacturers, contracts which we are delighted to have won against stiff global competition, this expansion will be a major boost for BCW, for Burnley and the wider Lancashire economy, creating several new hi-tech jobs in the process,” he said.

Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, added: “Burnley has positioned itself as a regional centre of manufacturing excellence to both the aerospace and automotive sectors and BCW are a beacon for our manufacturing excellence.

“Blue chip car and aerospace names are looking to Burnley for the production of high quality parts and exceptional service.

“The council has worked closely with BCW to support them during their growth and expansion here in the town and we are delighted to see the unveiling of phases III and IV and the job creation that this will lead to for the town.”