The company, which is in its 40th year and employs around 80 staff in Exeter and more than 240 worldwide, has established a new manufacturing unit, in Sowton, near its global headquarters on the Exeter Airport Business Park.
Goodridge is renowned for its flexible hose systems, and is now pioneering hard line and flexible hose combination solutions. This upgrade in technology is designed to meet an ever increasing range of fluid transfer demands. Customers range from Formula One and NASCAR teams to Jaguar, Bentley, Aston Martin, BAe Systems and Polaris Industries.
Last year, racing legend Sir Stirling Moss opened a £500,000 extension to the company’s Exeter Airport base, marking its 40th year in business. However, further growth means Goodridge is expanding its UK manufacturing capabilities in the new 470 sq m facility at Sowton in Exeter, and has invested in state-of-the-art computer controlled machinery. By moving its manufacturing, Goodridge will be able to use more of its existing premises for product assembly, and meet the demand for what is expected to be record growth this year.
Goodridge Group Managing Director Bill Ray said: “This new facility follows strong growth and new orders, predominantly in the automotive market, and underlines our commitment to our global customer base. Despite the recession we have continued our strategy of growing our capabilities in the premium vehicle, supercar and defence markets and are proud that our customer portfolio includes many of the best known brands in the world.”
The company recently won a £6 million contract to supply parts to Cummins, the US-based engine and power-generation equipment maker, and as a consequence of this contract and overall growth of its North American business, is investing further in its plant in Tijuana, Mexico.
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