MALVERN cord and rope maker English Braids has taken over a specialist braiding company based in Manchester.
The company, John H Blakey Ltd, of Radcliffe, Manchester, has been making natural fibre cords and ropes since the early 1900s, when it was a significant employer in Lancashire cotton trade.
It now employs 30 people and makes more products from manmade fibres, for similar markets to those of English Braids.
Managing director Peter Earp said: "This is a great opportunity for us to complement our range of ropes and cords with these traditional high quality natural fibre products.
"Blakey has an excellent team of people in the factory and we are investing in new plant and machinery to increase their production capability."
The staff at Radcliffe are being retrained with the arrival of the new machinery.
English Braids now owns two subsidiaries, having taken over Marina Ropes of Heywood in 1997.
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