Press Release

NWDA grant creates 22 jobs in Lancashire

13 May 2009

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has awarded a £320,000 ‘Grants for Business Investment’ to the Thornton-Cleveleys based Kilgour Group.

The Kilgour Group carries out the manufacture and specialised treatment of components for the aviation industry.

The Grant will help the business relocate to a larger treatments facility, assisting with its strategy to become an integrated ‘Tier 2 Supplier’, to the aerospace sector, creating an additional 22 jobs in England’s Northwest.

The project will not only lead to the improvement of staff skills, but the capability to manufacture small to medium sized integrated components.

England's Northwest is internationally renowned for its pivotal role in the aerospace industry and is responsible for developing over 100 types of aircraft.

The industry's regional heartland, Lancashire, is the UK's largest centre of aerospace manufacturing and production, employing more skilled people and generating greater overseas income than in any other region.

Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Economic Development at the NWDA said:

“As an active member of the NWDA Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme, the Kilgour Group is driven by an ambitious team who have been part of the region’s aerospace industry for over 40 years.

“Without funding from the NWDA to kick-start the ‘Tier 2 Supplier’ process, the company may well have fallen into decline, putting 51 regional jobs at risk.”

Ray Kilgour, Managing Director of the Kilgour Group said:

"We are absolutely delighted to receive such support - this is a real investment in jobs for an industry sector that is at the heart of the Northwest's industrial redevelopment. We are proud to continue to build our business with the help of the NWDA and we look forward to providing an even better level of service to our customers both locally and internationally."

The NWDA is playing a crucial role in response to the current economic downturn, with a number of actions being taken to meet the needs of businesses during these challenging times.

To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness

For more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest