A Cornish engineering company is set to open a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on a three-acre site just outside Falmouth this summer.

Feritech is a major player in marine technology and is now expanding into new tech markets, including aerospace and telecoms. Over 90% of the company’s products and services are exported, with clients in more than 40 different countries.

MD, Rob Ferris, said: “This will be a brand-new facility here in Cornwall for design and build of advanced manufacturing solutions for any market sector. We want to work in collaboration with a wide range of tech businesses in Cornwall, helping turn their innovative, market-leading ideas into reality.

“The new multimillion pound facility offers everything from fabrication and machining to electronics and embedded software development. This will be the largest facility of its kind in the south west and one of the largest in the UK, with design and manufacturing services provided on one site.”

Ferris says he wants the business to establish a reputation as a design and manufacturing hub for innovative local businesses of all kinds, including start-ups and new product developers.

“We expect this will be a catalyst for new growth in high tech manufacturing in Cornwall,” he said,  “so that we can retain much more of this high value business within our local area, rather than it being outsourced to other parts of the country. In addition, collaborative working on larger projects can be a big win for the local economy.”

The new facility will handle fabricated parts from a few grams up to 20 tons and will also include, says Ferris, a brand-new machining hall which can produce all manner of precision machined parts. Feritech’s design, electrical, electronic and hydraulic capabilities will also be expanded in line with the increased subcontract projects that we expect to fulfil.

He added: “Research and development within the offshore renewable energy sector will remain a primary operation of the company and this facility will allow Feritech to undertake new challenges within this sector such as floating offshore wind, providing solutions for customers quickly, while also tightly controlling the quality of the process from start to finish – and all under one roof.”

Matt Hodson, marine operations director for Cornwall Development Company, said: “Ever since the company was founded, Feritech has been a leader, not a follower. They continually challenge themselves to develop world-leading products that break the mould. Companies like Feritech will be vital to our economic future, as we seek to recover from the impact of Covid, while also grasping vital new growth opportunities.”

The new facility is expected to open in June.