New owners, new plans and a new direction for one of the city’s key engineering firms – that’s what the Council leader heard when he met the new owners of the saved Barden factory.
Council leader Tudor Evans and the Council’s Economic Development team met the new Managing Director at The Barden Corporation, Damian Dunne and representatives of the company’s new owners HQW, following the recent exchange of contracts.
Council leader Tudor Evans said: “This is a good day. There’s been some anxious moments for staff and for Plymouth but we can now look forward to a new direction and a sense of stability for this important company.
“The talk now is not of saving the site, but how we can make this company thrive and enjoy a great future in Plymouth.
“I need to say something about the Council’s Economic Development team who worked incredibly hard to offer support and guidance and to instil a strong sense of confidence that Plymouth – with its incredible engineering sector – is absolutely the right place for HQW to make its home. Their work has helped to make this happen.”
Damian described the new relationship between Barden and HQW as a natural fit with some incredible new opportunities for both companies to grow, develop and provide our customers with the best possible products and services.
He said: “Together we have a highly skilled and experienced work force, state of the art R&D facilities and exciting plans for the future.
“After recently celebrating 50 years of Barden in Plymouth, I could not be happier that the company is now looking forward to another 50 years of success, and many more besides!"
HQW Precision GmbH, manufacturer of high precision ball bearings, has confirmed its acquisition of The Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd.
Previously part of global supplier Schaeffler, The Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd. (Barden UK) is a manufacturer of super precision ball bearings for the aerospace and industrial sectors.