£25m factory to bring more than 100 jobs to former Oldbury high school site
A firm which makes parts for some of the world's largest car makers has been given the green light for a £25 million expansion, creating up to 150 jobs.
Steel and Alloy Processing will build a factory on the site of a former high school in Oldbury.
The company has its headquarters in West Bromwich and also has sites in Darlaston, Cannock and Smethwick, counting the likes of Jaguar, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo among its customers.
Its latest factory will be built on a 25,000 sq ft site in Popes Lane which, as well as being where Albright High School stood until it closed in 1983, also housed Sandwell's Training and Development Centre, which has now been demolished.
Company director Max Coleman said the expansion had been driven by a surge in demand for motor parts.
He said: "There will be an investment of £25m in this facility which we will look to have operational by the end of the year. We are committed to building a high-quality facility and generate jobs in Sandwell."
The plans were backed by members of Sandwell Council's planning committee on Wednesday night. Mr Coleman said staff would be employed over three phases, with 46 workers being taken on initially before eventually growing to around 150.
In addition to the factory, the proposal will see more that 500 sqm used for a utilities and waste management area, and a 700 sqm two-storey office building.
Steel and Alloy Processing has been based in West Bromwich for almost 50 years and has done work for major players in the automotive industry including Tata and ArcelorMittal.
Although the plans were unanimously approved, the firm may be asked to work with the council to improve access to the site. Concerns about the safety of the junction of Popes Lane and Birmingham Road were raised by a nearby business.