Connaught Motor moves to Wales

Connaught Motor chose to move production from the West Midlands to Dafen in Llanelli in 2007 after gaining a £4 million grant from the Welsh assembly government, matched with £8 million in private investment, according to International Business Wales.

[…]We really felt that Wales wanted us to be here, and would do everything in their power to make our business succeed

Tony Martindale

CEO

Connaught Motor

The firm will use the base to manufacture the lightweight, high-performance Connaught Type-D GT and a hybridised version, the Type-Dh, which uses super capacitors to store regenerated energy.

Commenting on the move, Connaught CEO Tony Martindale said the grant aid was one element of the decision, although the area's research department, the "first-class" suppliers in the area and a skilled workforce were important factors.

Mr Martindale told the organisation: "But it was the sheer political will that impressed us most of all. We really felt that Wales wanted us to be here, and would do everything in their power to make our business succeed.

Connaught's new facility will be housed as the Technium Centre in Dafen, which is also home to the firm research and development base.

According to Ceredigion County Council, the Technium Centre was established to promote Welsh talent and innovation and encourage an entrepreneurial culture in the area.