Two long-established family businesses are preparing for a major expansion in Minera, supported by Wrexham Council’s Investment Zone programme.
Investment zone programme has awarded a number of grants to support small and medium sized business in the advanced manufacturing sector, to grow. Two of these companies are Minera Roof Trusses and Ty Eco MMC.
Wrexham Council visited these companies last month to discuss progress on their grant-funded projects and their plans for future growth.
At the centre of the group’s plans is Ty Coed, an expansion into the former Tomlinson’s Dairy site at Five Crosses Industrial Estate, which has been vacant for eight years.
The choice to expand to this site is particularly important to Minera Roof Trusses. The company celebrates 50 years of business in 2027 and it means that the company remains in the village for a fourth generation, while modernising without disrupting their experienced, local workforce.
Most employees live within approximately one mile of the site. Six members of the team have each worked for the business for more than 40 years, while several families are represented across different generations, including one employee who now works alongside his grandson.
John Small, group director of Minera Roof Trusses and Ty Eco MMC, said: “We are extremely proud of our Welsh roots, our history in Minera and the people who have built these businesses over several generations.
“Minera Roof Trusses urgently needed to move into a more modern facility to remain efficient and competitive, but leaving the village was never our preferred option. The support of the WCBC Investment Zone Team and the grant funding available have helped us secure the future of the business here in Minera.
“Ty Coed gives us the opportunity to invest in modern manufacturing technology, create further skilled employment and build upon almost 50 years of continuous operation within the local community.”
The development will allow Minera Roof Trusses to expand and modernise its roof-truss production, while enabling Ty Eco to move from small-scale timber-frame manufacturing into full commercial production.
Ty Eco currently has the capacity to supply timber-frame packages for approximately 15 to 20 homes each year. Once Ty Coed is fully operational, that capacity is expected to increase to approximately 300 to 500 each year.
The company manufactures conventional and highly insulated timber-frame systems, including solutions designed for low-energy and Passivhaus construction. By producing more of the building envelope under controlled factory conditions, Ty Eco aims to help developers build homes more quickly, accurately and efficiently.
The SME Manufacturing Grant is supporting investment in specialist machinery, automation and production infrastructure across both businesses. This will increase output, improve manufacturing accuracy and enable the group to compete for larger residential and commercial projects.
Cllr Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, said: “This is a perfect example of how the Investment Zone grants are able to help local businesses to expand and bring even more to the Wrexham economy. Here vacant buildings being brough back into use, and two businesses are expanding while also bringing more jobs and traineeships to the area.
“The effect of these grants on these companies and their workforce can’t be underestimated and, since work has already begun at the new premises, I look forward to seeing the expanded operation soon.”
Councillor Nigel Williams, lead member for economy, business and tourism at Wrexham Council, said: “It was a pleasure to visit this fourth-generation family business and see first-hand their exciting plans for expansion as they are coming up to their 50th anniversary next year.
“The company has recently taken over the old Tomlinsons dairy site which has been empty for around eight years with ambitious plans to turn this into a manufacturing facility for their timber framed passive house construction company under the brand name Ty Eco.
“It was great to see the regeneration of a large empty unit and expansion plans creating more jobs and with the help of the investment zone fund allowing them to invest in specialist machinery to increase output and sustainability.
“I wish them ever success for their future.”
The wider regeneration benefits will extend beyond Ty Coed. Bringing the former dairy back into use will restore a substantial vacant industrial building, while the relocation will release the group’s existing premises for occupation by new businesses, creating the potential for further investment and employment within the area.
The new facility will also support the creation of additional jobs, apprenticeships and technical training opportunities as production increases.
John Small added: “This investment is about far more than moving buildings. It is about protecting a longstanding Welsh family business, retaining skilled employment within the village and creating the foundations for the next generation.
“It also allows a major vacant site to be brought back into productive use and frees our existing premises for new employers. With the right support, established local manufacturers can modernise, grow and continue contributing to their communities for decades to come.”
