A LONG-STANDING manufacturer is taking on young apprentices for the first time in a decade and is urging the Government to cut red tape.

Winstanley – based in Racecourse Road, Pershore, has risen from the ashes of a factory fire last year.

And in a tough market it has managed to keep hold of big contracts, including in the defence sector.

The firm had done work for rail carriage builder Bombardier – which lost out on a major contract this month – but assumed that no more work would come to Winstanley. Yet the company has managed to replace the potential lost orders from two new contracts.

Rod Smith, managing director of the metal fabricator, says the company will be taking on three new apprentices after an agreement with South Worcestershire College, with a view to re-starting an apprentice scheme if the placements are successful.

Two new welders and a metal extrusion machine operator will get the chance for on-the-job training, from September, joining the 80-member workforce.

But although Mr Smith is in tune with current thinking by the Government, which has pledged its support for manufacturing and apprenticeships, he says more needs to be done to cut red tape. “If the Government knew more about what we were doing as an industry they would know they could do more to encourage us,” he said. “I don’t want grants or freebies, I want less interference from government.

“But my basic view is if you’re dealt a hand of cards, you pick them up and play with them – we’ve got a good record of business success.”

Harriett Baldwin, West Worcestershire MP, went on a tour around the works and said it was a “miracle” story of a company rising from the ashes, and growing in a tough market.

“I have talked with the company’s owners regarding taking on some apprentices and I hope more local people will be able to join the ranks in the near future.”