Lontra to open new £17m 'Smart Factory' in South Yorkshire

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Lontra, the innovative developer, manufacturer and exporter of high value industrial machinery for critical industries is opening a £17m 'Smart Factory' in South Yorkshire, generating a world-class manufacturing line.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will partner with Lontra to support the new Smart Factory based in Doncaster, by providing a grant and loan package totalling over £7m through the South Yorkshire Renewal Fund, with approximately £10m of private sector match funding by Lontra.

Lontra and South Yorkshire MCA share the same focus for sustainable growth and a commitment to supporting innovation and skills development, whilst providing greener and smarter manufacturing solutions. The partnership will contribute to the region’s growth, creating over 300 new jobs with more across the regional supply chain, operating Lontra’s global exports base for their energy saving compressor machine.

The opening of the factory highlights an important partnership between South Yorkshire MCA and Lontra, who share the same focus for sustainable growth and a commitment to supporting innovation and skills development, while providing greener and smarter manufacturing solutions.

Lontra’s factory brings together three unified initiatives: regeneration, reliable and electric low pressure blower production, whilst setting a standard for the future of all critical industries using low pressure air systems such as waste water treatment and pneumatic conveying.

The factory space, an impressive 105,035 square footage, will manufacture energy saving products for world-wide food manufacture, pharmaceutical products and water treatment, among others. These high value products will be exported globally through Lontra’s international distribution network with distribution agreements secured.

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis MP, said: "This is an exciting example of a UK innovator investing in South Yorkshire – further enhancing our reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing. The new smart factory will play a significant role in developing our economic plan for a stronger, greener and fairer region. It will create hundreds of great new jobs, and boost our productivity and global exports.”

Steve Lindsey, CEO of Lontra, said: "We are thrilled to open our first factory in the region with the support of South Yorkshire MCA. This is a region that’s incredibly progressive and we are proud to be a part of their innovation story.

“We are honoured to bring a commitment of long-term innovation and economic growth, both for Lontra as a business and for South Yorkshire. This is fantastic example of how South Yorkshire MCA, is supporting innovative SME’s to generate long term economic growth, high value job creation and drive UK exports.”