Pepperl + Fuchs Manufacturing Limited, a German owned manufacturer of explosion proof electrical equipment has opened a new base to enable further growth in Sandwell, West Midlands.

Pepperl + Fuchs Manufacturing UK Ltd has relocated to a 60,525 sq ft unit at the Woods Bank Estate in Wednesbury from its former premises in West Bromwich. The estate is owned and managed by London and Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP) who spent £700,000 refurbishing the unit prior to letting, plus an additional £150,000 on first floor offices to meet the specific requirements of Pepperl + Fuchs.

Germany-based Pepperl + Fuchs is a world leading designer and manufacturer of hazardous area interface components and electronic sensors for use in the fields of process and factory automation. Since it acquired the former Walsall Limited company in late 2009, and integrated it into its group, this division has grown from 30 to 40 employees.

Managing director Hermann Best said: “We outgrew our facility at West Bromwich and needed bigger premises to serve our expansion and our additional investment and new equipment. We wanted to increase efficiency and have a higher capacity output.

“Woods Bank has more space than we need at present but it leaves us room for further growth. The premises provide a good and stimulating working environment for our people and the new base is more accessible with links to the motorway network.

 “We have made a commitment to develop the business here to serve not only the UK market but our global markets. We provide world market products and the Pepperl + Fuchs Group is recognised as a leading manufacturer of sensor technology as well as intrinsically safe products for hazardous areas.”

 At Woods Bank Pepperl + Fuchs manufactures hazardous area equipment, for example metal boxes or enclosures in stainless steel, glass reinforced polyester, aluminium and cast iron, which can contain a wide range of electrical and control equipment. They are used in industries worldwide where explosive hazards exist, including major oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

 LCP is one of the UK’s largest private owners of industrial and retail property. Its total commercial property portfolio runs to 14 million sq ft which is held for long term investment purposes.