$1 million of US orders for non-stick firm
Wolverhampton non-stick coatings business Cooper Coated Coil has won $1 million of orders after pushing into the United States this year.
The company has seen a pick up in trade since being bought by Arc Specialist Engineering after parent group Metalrax went into administration on April 2.
CCC, which is based at Planetary Industrial Estate, has opened a third unit on the estate for a new production line.
It has also added a second production line for cutting coil to sheet to keep up with demand and increase capacity.
Managing director Kevin Tranter said that the parent group had also just given approval for a £400,000 investment in the first half of next year on improving the thermal efficiency of its ovens.
Mr Tranter said that since the change of ownership CCC had increased the number it employed by eight to 65 and was set to recruit more.
"We still need more people as we increase production. We are looking at recruiting more young people into the business to train up and we have just take on our first apprentice.
"We have been sold out for several weeks and demand for our products has been up right across our customer base in the UK and European Union.
"Sales have also taken off in the United States. Orders in the calendar year of 2013 have reached $1 million and we are hoping to expand that next year," he added.
CCC sells to bakeware manufacturers who supply supermarkets including Walmart and target in the US.
Mr Tranter said that the company planned to exhibit at the Chicago Houseware Show in March to build on its progress.
CCC, which was founded in 1966 in West Bromwich as Custom Coil Coaters, has been based at its current site since 2001. The satellite operation in West Bromwich has been moved there since April.
Its non-stick technology is present in everyday items from bakeware to the sole plates on domestic steam irons. Last year it launched its new Glide-X material that can stand up to 180 roasting and dishwasher cycles.
Mr Tranter said it would be stepping up promotion of Glide-X next year including having a stand at the BBC Good Food Show.
Arc chief executive Andy Richardson said CCC was going well and winning market share with its existing customers and trading well in Europe.
"The most impressive thing, however, is the business has broken into the US market in 2013," he added.
