Goodwin Steel Castings in Hanley are to create 53 new jobs as they look to increase the size of their moulding and melting shop. If approved, the development would also see the company take on 25 new apprentices.
The proposed expansion forms part of parent company Goodwin Plc’s multi-million pound investment to enhance operations at the Ivy House Road foundry. It is hoped the installation of new facilities that would be enabled by the scheme would help secure new orders and generate additional revenue.
A design and access statement submitted in support of the planning application states: “The proposed development will significantly enhance Goodwin’s ability to compete in a global market by means of the production of a new high-quality alloys steel castings from the installation of a new melting furnaces and a molten metal refining vessel within the proposed building extension.”
Goodwin’s currently employs 500 full-time staff between the Goodwin Steel Castings site and its sister company Goodwin International, in Trentham, which carries out maching, fabrication and assembly work on the castings produced by the foundry.
The expansion of the foundry would see its area increased by 987 square metres on the Leek Road side, and 286 square metres on the canal side.
The group has already taken on 125 apprentices and hopes to enable trainees to achieve a nationally-recognised qualification during a four-year scheme, allowing them to secure employment in one of several roles within its companies.
Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said: “When I visited I saw the sterling work that is done there. They have shown how a local business can really get behind young people and provide high quality apprenticeships, so anything they are doing that will help them build on that and provide jobs and training opportunities is something I welcome.”