Kawasaki Precision Machinery Launches 25th Anniversary Celebrations!

Kawasaki Precision Machinery welcomes Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE to launch its 25th year in Plymouth, Devon.

The vast Ernesettle manufacturing plant situated on the banks of the River Tamar, employs nearly 300 staff and is proud to host Cllr Evans for a tour of the factory which is celebrating 25 years in the city in 2019.
 
In 1994 KPM UK was formed as a stand-alone subsidiary of the Kawasaki Precision Machinery Group. The group accounts for 12 per cent of the entire Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) Japanese company, with sites in Japan, USA, India, Korea, China and in Plymouth and is the only manufacturing base in Europe.
 
Lee Crocker, General Manager & Executive Director said “2019 is a very important year for Kawasaki Precision Machinery UK (KPM UK), it marks a quarter of a century since Kawasaki acquired the business in Ernesettle, Plymouth.  The business has seen many changes over the years, and is four times larger than in 1994, when sales were just over £13m compared to £57m in 2018. 

“KPM UK is an important business for Plymouth, employing over 285 skilled workers, as well as being actively involved in supporting its local stakeholders, such as the Plymouth Manufacturing Group (PMG), Plymouth University, Plymouth STEM forum, Plymouth growth board, Plymouth employment & Skills board and the EEF’s South West regional advisory committee.  We are proud to be the only Kawasaki manufacturing site in Europe and take a long-term view on our future, based here in Plymouth. So we are delighted to welcome Cllr Evans along with Nina Sarlaka (Inward Investment & Enterprise Manager at Plymouth City Council) to our facility as our first visitor in this celebratory year.”
 
Councillor Evans said: “Manufacturing is critical to our city. We have the most people employed in manufacturing in Southern England with over 13,000 advanced manufacturing jobs attracting an average salary of £32,500. Kawasaki Precision Manufacturing is a brilliant example of the talent we have in Plymouth. They supplied the hydraulic motors for the boring machines that created the Channel Tunnel and the hydraulic pumps that operate the Thames Barrier which help keep our capital safe from flooding. I’m delighted to be here celebrating their 25 year.”
 
KPM UK will be celebrating this momentous occasion with a series of special events throughout the year. They will be welcoming several VIP guests from Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan for a formal ceremony in Plymouth and plaque unveiling in July. They’ll also be hosting an evening event to thank employees for all their hard work and dedication over the years.