A new multi-million steel production factory will be opened in Dudley creating 24 jobs, it was revealed today.

Wombourne-based Rimara Ltd is investing at least £5 million in a new factory on the Cookley Wharf Industrial Estate in Brierley Hill.

Fourteen people will be employed in the first phase of the steel coil coating line and a further 10 will be recruited by the end of next year.

The factory will produce 30,000 ton of colour-coated steel a year, primarily for the UK and Irish markets, for building, cladding and general engineering. Production is expected to start in February.

Managing director Harry King said: “We are installing the line now and are in the early stages of recruiting engineers and line staff.

“The line, one of the most energy efficient warehouse-based lines built to-date, is a product of five years of development.

“We have been manufacturing elements of the line in our factory in India for customers around the world but this is the first time we have moved into the operations side.”