Express & Star

MP Gavin gets tour of a new ERA

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson took time out from his jobs as Defence Secretary to spend some time with one of the newest companies to move into his constituency.

Published
From left, Gavin Williamson; Ben Penson, ERA’s technical and quality director; Darren Waters, ERA’s CEO

Locks group ERA has just unveiled its state-of-the-art new headquarters on the prestigious i54 business park, on the northern edge of Wolverhampton.

The home security experts moved to the site from Walsall, also merging three of its operations together in the purpose-built 135,600 sq ft site in Valiant Way.

Following a comprehensive tour or the purpose-built offices, manufacturing and warehouse facility, Mr Williamson saw ERA’s complete range of high quality security products, including a demonstration of its new barricade device, LockDown.

Designed to provide high performance security in the event of a threatening situation, ERA says LockDown provides a quick and simple defence in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Williamson said: "When it comes to security products, the team at ERA demonstrate a forward thinking ‘can do’ attitude which runs through the entire company and is reflected in its innovative product range – in particular, with developments such as LockDown."

Darren Waters, CEO at ERA said: "It has been a pleasure to welcome Gavin to ERA and we hope that we have shown how we are delivering on our ambitious plans for both our products and people, to provide a secure future for everyone."

ERA, part of the Tyman group since 2007, now employs 150 and has a turnover of £80m. The £10 million new site combines all its UK hardware activity.

ERA’s roots were in Willenhall where the original business was founded as John Reynolds locksmiths in Fletcher Lane in 1838. It moved to a new factory there in 1941 in Straight Road.

The new site boasts a testing centre, product and development centre, customer suite and 110,000 sq ft warehouse, assembly and recycling centre. Unveiling the new premises earlier this year, Mr Waters said the company had been keen to retain its staff in the move to i54. Only four of ERA's staff had chosen not to, two of them due to retirement.