Arrival coincides with investment announcement.

Mark Wingfield MD A&M EDM Ltd, Justine Greening MP and Ninder Johal, Black Country LEP. Pic by Jas Sansi.

Following the announcement that the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership had agreed an expansion to its Growth Deal with the government which will see an extra £24 million invested in the Black Country, Cabinet Minister Justine Greening visited precision component manufacturers A&M EDM Ltd in Smethwick. She was joined by LEP board member Ninder Johal.

The company worked with the LEP and Sandwell Council to successfully apply for £475,000 in Regional Growth funding to support the investment of nearly £3 million in a new factory, creating 14 new jobs, taking the total employed to 50.

The new site has tripled the size of the company’s workspace and supports its continued growth by enabling it to handle larger pieces of work for customers in the aerospace, defence, medical and transport sectors. The company makes precision components for several Formula 1 motor racing teams.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “A&M EDM is a fantastic example of a small business that is making a real difference to its local economy.

“With a grant from the Regional Growth Fund the company has invested in a new factory and state of the art equipment and is creating opportunities with new jobs and apprenticeships.

“The Government’s Growth Deals give communities the power and money to make investments that will have the greatest possible impact on the local area.”

Mark Wingfield, MD of A&M EDM said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Justine Greening to A&M. She was genuinely interested in our work and the new machines purchased with RGF funding, including the largest die sinker machine of its type in the UK. We are a good example of the benefits of working in partnership with the Black Country LEP to grow our business.”