Dorset success story Superior is to increase its workforce by ten per cent after investing £3 million in the latest state-of-the art machinery to boost its manufacturing capacity.

It’s the company’s largest expenditure to date and means an extra 20 jobs bringing the total number of people employed to 212.

The family-run manufacturer and supplier of high integrity o-rings and seals, based on the Ferndown Industrial Estate, serves a growing global customer base.

The investment in the latest seal manufacturing and inspection technology will create a range of job roles including machine operators and production operatives.

The new machinery spans the entire manufacturing system.

Some have already been installed on site and are up and running.

Further machines are arriving and being installed this weekend with more to follow into the new year.

Tim Brown MBE, Managing Director, said: “In line with our growth strategy and to meet an increasing demand for our products, we are making a substantial investment in our machinery and personnel to allow for increased output and shorter lead times.

“Our continued investment in technology, people and material science will help us achieve the growth in capacity and capability we need to support increasing customer orders, future-proof our business and ensure we can continue to offer our customers a high-quality service.”

The new machinery will create less waste material and also conserves water and CO2.

Alongside increased levels of recycling and reduced waste, it’s helped the company achieve a CO2 reduction of 113.5 tonnes (29.21 per cent) so far this year.

In addition to the newly created full-time roles available, the company’s award-winning academy is looking for manufacturing trainees to join the team.

As a trainee, Superior will support and fully fund the education, training, and professional development of an individual and will award a Level 2 NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations on completion.

Tim, pictured with his son David, Operations Director, added: “We pride ourselves on being a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable place to work.

“This latest investment in machinery will not only increase our production rates but will help us achieve an even more stimulating working environment.

“We rely on machinery in every aspect of our work, but they will never replace the people that we recruit for the job.

“It’s so important to us that a career at Superior is highly motivating, and the best people need the best environment in which to thrive.

“We want every employee to be fully engaged in the work that they do and learn new skills at every stage of their career progression.”

• Seal of success: Family-run Superior Seals to invest £5m in new material science centre