Firm moves to larger site as it looks to expand

Mayor Andy Street visited the new premises with business owner Mayank Gupta and Stephen Simkins, leader of Wolverhampton Council

A family-run Black Country manufacturer has relocated to a new, larger site in Wolverhampton, as it looks to expand.

Drywall Steel Sections, which produces light gauge steel framing for the construction industry among other items, has relocated to Ettingshall.

The factory is double the size of its previous one in Cradley Heath and the £13m relocation has attracted £8m funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Mayank Gupta, son of the founders and director of the firm, said he was "proud" to bring the company back to its home city.

The WMCA funding has come from its brownfield regeneration scheme - using former industrial land for business and affordable homes.

The authority said it had been used in part to cover the costs of dealing with old mine shafts on the site off Spring Road and making it fit for redevelopment.

The site had been vacant since 2008 when luxury car maker Rolls Royce ceased using it.

'Safeguard jobs'

Funding was also spent constructing the G5 Industrial Park made up of 17 commercial starter units for small- and medium-sized businesses to occupy and could see 150 people working there once full.

Mr Gupta said the firm was grateful for the WMCA investment to help it remain competitive.

“The new Drywall HQ and commercial starter units on G5 Industrial Park will help safeguard current jobs and provide a much improved facility for the existing team," he said.

"It will also create new jobs, help smaller businesses to grow in brand new premises, and boost the region's economy.

“Drywall Steel Sections Ltd. has further expansion and growth plans, and this new facility will help us bring those plans to life.”

The business also steel products for wall partitions and ceilings, and its engineering department DrySpec specialises in designing and detailing steel framing.