Diamorph, an advanced materials group serving customers across sectors from Formula 1 motor racing to aerospace and defence has announced major investment at its Gloucester base, creating at least 70 jobs.
The firm, which recently acquired long-standing city engineering firm Permali, has already begun work to transform its site off Bristol Road into its UK headquarters for composite materials – which are developed specially for customers including F1 motorsport, Healthcare, rail, defence and aerospace.
Gordon MacLeman, chief executive officer of Diamorph Group – which bought Permali in 2021 – said: ‘We are investing £10 million in a business which will be based in and lead from Gloucester.
‘To support the global expansion plan the Gloucester site will get a new innovation centre and will be the centre of both production and research and development in composite materials.
‘It will make Gloucester the headquarters for our composites development and manufacturing. It is really exciting for the business.’
Paul Patterson, divisional operations director at Permali Gloucester Ltd, said: ‘This is a really rapid growth plan which will see us expand on our existing site and make the Gloucester facility the largest of its type in the UK and almost certainly the fastest growing.
‘We plan to grow from £12 million turnover to £40 million of sales by the end of 2023 based on specific and identifiable product work.’
A rapid recruitment drive is also underway to recruit 70 new staff this year, taking numbers from an estimated 134 to 209 by the end of 2023, with roles in engineering, finance, administration and sales.
It also expected to recruit up to 10 apprentices.
The firm is reshaping its Manchester headquarters to enable the investment in Gloucester, but Mr MacLean said this was about expansion and investment across the board.
‘The business that stays in Manchester is fast-growing too. We are looking to keep all of our Manchester staff.
‘It is double-digit growth with a long-term view and we are in the process of moving onto a new site on which we have taken a 25 year lease. It’s a good news story all round and a huge opportunity for all of us.’
