A FIRM has got the metal to streamline its production techniques thanks to a Government cash boost.
Family-run steel specialists Gilwood (Fabricators) Ltd have been awarded a Selective Finance for Industry (SFI) grant as part of the Business Link scheme.
The Bradshaw Street firm will use the money, which amounts to 15 per cent of the total investment, estimated at £47,000, for state-of-the-art machinery to speed up its production line.
The company, which specialises in supplying products to the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, oil, gas, food, paper, nuclear power and bio-technology industries, was founded in Heywood in 1964.
It has a continental client base and hopes to use the grant to by machinery such as a waterjet cutting machine and a new automated plasma welding system.
John Gilmartin from the company’s sales team, who led the investment bid, said he hoped the boost would help Gilwood to prosper in the face of the credit crunch.
He said: "This investment as we see it will improve the efficiency of our business, which will offset the effects of the current economic downturn. The Business Link is a good arm of the Government for helping firms like us.
"We got some money from them for an extension to our buildings 10 years ago, so it’s reassuring to know that there’s help out there.
"The machinery we are buying is going to make production a lot quicker and hopefully will allow us to improve and expand our existing business. As a local firm, we see this as an investment in Heywood as well as Gilwood."
