Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire opens new TEK Group factory in Rearsby
The official opening of the TEK Group factory in Rearsby took place last month, with a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Jennifer Gretton, JP. TEK Group, whose headquarters are based in Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, includes three businesses: TEK Seating Ltd, TEK Military Seating LLP and SitSmart.
With the military side growing at a fast pace and more manufacturing capacity required, it was decided that the existing premises in Melton Mowbray had to give way to a bigger purpose built facility in the more rural location of Rearsby Industrial Estate, some five miles away.
Paul Fleming, CEO of TEK Group, said: “This new facility marks the next very important stage in the growth of TEK Group and its 45 year history.
“Along with its dedicated staff, it will allow us to reach our full potential, with ample room for planned expansion and additional production in the next 12 months.”
Paul then passed over to Lady Gretton to officially open the factory with the cutting of a ribbon and revealing a wall plaque to mark the occasion, who was supportive of the new factory bringing employment into the area. She said: “SMEs such as TEK Group are well and truly at the forefront of innovation and technology.”
Small escorted groups were then shown around the fully operating 15,000 sq ft facility, followed by lunch and an opportunity to ask questions and network.
This secure site is now better placed to host customer visits as there are meeting rooms and a product display area. Staff numbers have been boosted to further support the increased production demands for the manufacture of both seating and complementary products.
The factory will greatly increase TEK’s production capacity, enabling it to manage high volume production with increased efficiency for both TEK Seating and TEK Military, whilst expanding its design and development capability and implementing its quality systems and procedures.
Paul said: “This move represents a major investment in our company, allowing us to grow our global business and open new markets while bringing, in-house, some out-sourced production which will enable us to become even more competitive.”
TEK Military Seating brings together TEK Group's vast portfolio of tried and tested seat components with in-house seat design and manufacture, offering high levels of safety and protection. The creation of its ProTEK brand of military seating has introduced new innovations, modularity and new technologies to the market place.
The original company, TEK Seating, was formed some 45 years ago, mainly as an independent distributor for major vehicle seating companies for the original equipment market (OEM) and aftermarket. Now the UK’s largest distributor it continues to support the work vehicle sector including: Truck, Bus & Coach, Agricultural, Construction, Marine and Industrial sectors, whilst its core product remains suspension driver seating.
SitSmart is the chair, furniture and ergonomic accessories business, offering ergonomic chairs for the work place and office. As well as its single consumer sales and large business client portfolio, it also supplies such places as 24/7 control rooms, signal boxes, surveillance areas, schools, colleges, the NHS and the MoD,
TEK Group is privately owned by Paul, who has grown the business significantly since taking it over 33 years ago. Today several members of the family support the business in key positions in the Tunbridge Wells facility, along with many members of the team who have been instrumental in its growth and success.