Battery manufacturer GS Yuasa is creating 105 new jobs, and protecting a further 360 positions, at its production plant in Glynebwy thanks to £2.5m in support from Welsh Government.
The company is one of the world’s leading global manufacturers of Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) and Lithium-ion batteries.
The funding will help the company increase production volumes and upgrade processes so they are more energy efficient.
GS Yuasa is a market leader for a wide range of vehicle and industrial batteries, with applications spanning everything from cars and caravans to security and telecom.
A new assembly line will be installed to produce new Lithium-ion battery modules, with semi-automation of key processes also introduced at the firm’s base in Rasa Industrial Estate.
The support comes from Welsh Government’s Economic Futures Fund.
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “GS Yuasa is a hugely important employer in Ebbw Vale and news the business is investing in its future there is to be warmly welcomed.
“I’m delighted we are supporting the company’s plans and that so many quality employment opportunities will be created."
Since 1981 GS Yuasa has been a key employer in Blaenau Gwent, and has been joined by a growing number of other battery related companies, including the likes of Envirowales, PMB Battery and Deragallera.
Andrew Taylor, Managing Director and CEO of GS Yuasa Battery Europe Ltd, said: “This considerable investment is great news for the continued development and growth of our industrial battery business across Europe. Our manufacturing facility in Ebbw Vale produces Europe’s market leading range of industrial VRLA batteries with a pedigree of high performance, reliability and quality established over the past 40 years.
“It will help us to safeguard our current workforce of over 360 employees and will also assist us in creating over 100 new local jobs as we expand operations over the next three to five years."