Saint-Gobain Abrasives, the technology behind brands including Norton, Universal, Winter, Bay State and Flexovit, have opened a new £6million factory at their site in Stafford, formerly the Unicorn Abrasives factory.

Saint-Gobain relocated from the old Van Moppes IDP premises in Tuffley, Gloucester, last year to new headquarters on the north of Gloucester at Staverton Airport. Now they have opened this new, technologically advanced factory in Stafford to produce medium-sized grinding wheels.

Richard Wood, the production manager at St Gobain Abrasives, says: "We have distilled our manufacturing expertise into this new plant and invested in state-of-the-art machinery, including new presses, both of which have enabled us to reduce manufacturing time.

"We have also rationalised our product range to ensure we are concentrating on core competences, such as medium-sized grinding wheels. The new facility will allow us to be more responsive to our customers\' needs."

Managing director David Allen adds: "The investment in the new factory is indicative of Saint-Gobain Abrasives\' commitment to be at the front of abrasives technology and offer the most advanced production capability."