All three companies — Days Healthcare UK Ltd., which intends to establish its European HQ in Bridgend; Astra Games; and furniture maker Steinhoff UK Upholstery Ltd. — will receive Regional Selective Assistance grant aid from the Welsh Assembly Government to support their investments.
“This investment is great news, and I am delighted that we have been able to support all three companies,” said Andrew Davies, minister for Economic Development and Transport.
Steinhoff UK Upholstery is part of a major South Africa-based group that employs 500,000 people around the world to manufacture household goods at more than 90 sites.
Steinhoff intends to re-establish the design and development element of the former Pendragon furniture operation and to resume manufacturing in the former Pendragon factory at Bridgend Industrial Estate. Steinhoff plans to invest 3.2 million pounds and create between 120 and 150 jobs.
Astra Games, currently based at Waterton Industrial Estate, designs and manufactures amusement, machines for UK and export markets. The company consolidated its position in the industry by becoming part of the Austria-based Novomatic Group in 2004.
Now the company, which employs many highly skilled software and graphic developers among its 90-plus work force, plans to move into larger premises on Bridgend Industrial Estate to find room to grow. It will create an additional 50 jobs.
Days Healthcare UK Ltd. (formerly Days Medical Aids), based at the Litchard Industrial Estate, is a long-established Bridgend manufacturer and distributor of rehabilitation and mobility aids.
The company had considered establishing its European headquarters at its German subsidiary before opting for Bridgend. The company will now move to larger premises at Bridgend Industrial Estate, which will accommodate production, distribution and European HQ functions.
The move, which will represent new investment of 3.65 million pounds by Days, will keep 108 existing jobs and create 30 new jobs during the next two to three years.
“The fact that Days Healthcare has decided to base its European headquarters at Bridgend, rather than at a site in Germany, clearly demonstrates the high level of confidence in both the quality of the work force and the strength of the Welsh economy,” Davies said.
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