A world-class £15million research and development laboratory has opened in Small Heath following two years of partnership work between Birmingham City Council and a leading American firm.

Located in Birmingham - the council's inward investment team - helped MacDermid plc identify a suitable site for its state-of-the-art new global lab.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Mike Whitby, said: "I am proud to congratulate MacDermid and its local management team on their commitment to Birmingham."

The 90,000 sq ft factory is situated on the former BSA site on Golden Hillock Road, with Locate in Birmingham providing practical assistance and guidance with site issues and ownership. This included assisting in ensuring the company secured the relevant planning permission.

-- Advertisement --

MacDermid had previously been based for over a century on the edge of Eastside, and is renowned for its surface coatings, used in a diverse range of worldwide manufacturing industries, including, automotive, aerospace, energy and electronics.

The investment of £15million by the firm into the ambitious project, which also includes UK manufacturing, sales and administration functions, has produced one of the most advanced surface finishing facilities in the world, securing over 100 highly respected research staff and product manager jobs in the process.

The facility has already made significant environmental improvement changes in anti-corrosion and decorative finishes. These have replaced the old legacy processes which once used toxins.

Advances in new alloy coatings and seals and nano particle top coatings are under development. This new facility has been able to take advantage of the newest and the best safety and environmental control measures.

In an additional boost, the factory has significantly limited its stock of toxic materials to such an extent that the required HSE Consultation Distance is restricted to within the site boundary.

This was an important factor in the relocation and continued investment by MacDermid into their highly skilled local staff and the city.

(JM/BMcC)