Filter supplier Sogefi is to take on a further 125 staff at its two South Wales plants, based in Llantrisant and Tredgar.

The £8m investment, which also secures 130 jobs at the Llantrisant plant, is a welcome fillip for the Welsh components industry. It follows 200 redundancies announced at companies supplying the collapsed carmaker MG Rover. Half of the £8m investment comes from the Welsh Assembly Government, which is keen for the province to retain vehicle component manufacture.

“Sogefi is a blue chip multi-national with global reach and it really is a feather in the cap for Wales that they have opted for their two plants in Tredegar and Llantrisant for this £8m investment,” says First Minister Rhodri Morgan. “These two plants have always delivered for Sogefi. Now Sogefi is returning the favour and I am pleased that we are able to assist.”

Sogefi also operates a plant in Nottingham.