A growth in orders has seen Remploy Automotive expand to take over three more factories. It brings the total number of dedicated Remploy Automotive factories to nine and is aimed at giving UK automotive companies greater local access to the specialist supplier.

Remploy factories in Derby, Jarrow and Huddersfield, which cut, sew and assemble textile components used in cars, vans and trucks, join factories in Coventry, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Bridgend, Porth and Abertillery in the division.

The Abertillery factory is also moving to a larger, more modern site where more than £300,000 has been invested.

John Price, Remploy Automotive general manager, says: "We have won a number of new contracts recently and there are more in the pipeline. Bringing Derby, Jarrow and Huddersfield under our automotive umbrella makes a lot of sense.

"Remploy Automotive provides a complete range of services for the industry. We can do everything from helping to design, develop and manufacture head rest covers to sub-assembly, kitting contracts and sequenced deliveries."