Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET), which exports specialist extrusion equipment for the textile, medical and composite sectors, has begun construction of a new research and development centre.
The two-storey development will be situated on the adjacent site to its base in Leeds, and will provide facilities including a visitor centre and enhanced Process Development Laboratory (PDL) for client testing and product development.
Clients frequently spend several days on site participating in development trials and technical sales meetings, and the new facility is designed to make their stay more efficient and comfortable.
Sales, administration and design departments will also be housed in the new building.
The addition of the visitor centre will free up space for production and other facilities in the existing premises. This major refurbishment phase for the existing premises is scheduled for completion at the end of 2021.
As a result, FET's manufacturing capacity will increase by more than 50 per cent to cope with customer demand.
FET said substantial year-on-year growth had driven the project, with its current order book in excess of £10m.
The visitor centre is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022.
