12/1/2007

Four of the latest Welsh Assembly Investment Grants will help some 30 new manufacturing and sales jobs by assisting the launch or expansion of businesses in South East Wales.

The grants, delivered under a fast-track scheme to aid the growth of smaller businesses across Wales, are worth some £170,000 and will support investment of nearly £1 million by the companies concerned.

They include a new venture to produce electric powered vehicles aimed at buyers in urban areas where car parking fees are waived for zero emission vehicles or where free re-charging is provided to electric vehicles.

Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks Andrew Davies said:

These latest projects exemplify the range and ambition of the new and smaller ventures which are now being helped to grow by the Assembly Investment Grant scheme.

They also demonstrate the Assembly Government’s capability and willingness to back enterprise and help growth minded ventures to achieve their potential in Wales.

Stevens Vehicles Ltd. is a newly launched enterprise, will be based at Cwmbran’s Forgehammer Industrial Estate which will give Wales the opportunity to be one of the first producers in the UK of zero emission vehicles.

The company is based on years’ of research into electric vehicle technology and intends to develop the capacity to manufacture and market a range of models including a car and a van.

Meanwhile in Caerphilly, a unique recruitment service, meta-morphose International, will create eight jobs for recruitment consultants. The new Welsh arm of one of Britain’s leading sales training and selection specialists attract graduates - and graduate calibre people - placing them in companies with 12 months coaching and support.

meta-morphose International’s groundbreaking sales training utilises professional actors in roleplay situations, tailoring its process to maximise improvements in sales techniques for each client.

The company claims a 92% success rate of graduates delivering their commercial targets and remaining with their employer at the end of the first year. meta-morphose graduates have been winners at national sales awards for the last six years. This year, all eight finalists in the Sales Newcomer of the Year Products category are meta-morphose graduates.

At Miskin, Investment Grant aid will enable a two year old CCTV specialist business to expand eight strong workforce by a further six people.

Cameratech Solutions Ltd. designs, supplies and installs CCTV security and access control systems for industrial and commercial applications.

Cameratech is expanding by offering its expertise to schools, shops and pubs. The licensing trade in particular s generating increased sales due to changes in the licensing laws.

And in Ferndale, CrossLink Ltd., which manufactures rubber components for the automotive industry, will add five people to the 140 the company currently employs after winning an important contract.

Assisted by the Assembly grant, the company is investing in new tooling and other equipment which will enable CrossLink to manufacture new products.