HUNTINDONSHIRE S economy received another boost this week when a �6million state-of-the-art factory opened in Sawtry. East Anglian Galvanizing, part of the Wedge Group, opened for business in the Old North Road on Monday (June 1). The company, part of a n

HUNTINDONSHIRE'S economy received another boost this week when a �6million state-of-the-art factory opened in Sawtry.

East Anglian Galvanizing, part of the Wedge Group, opened for business in the Old North Road on Monday (June 1).

The company, part of a nationwide group with 14 sites, will employ 40 people - six of the jobs are new and have been created by the move to Sawtry.

The Wedge Group, which galvanises metal products has moved to the village from Peterborough, where it had been for over 30 years. The company said it had outgrown its Peterborough site.

Steve Milnes, Wedge Group's eastern regional director, added: "When we were looking for a suitable new site, we wanted to remain as close as possible to Peterborough, because the success of the business has undoubtedly been due to the locality and the skills and dedication of our excellent local workforce."

A major feature of the new plant is its industry-leading sustainable technology, including an integrated rainwater collection and storage system. This enables rainwater to be used in the galvanizing process, eliminates run-off from the two-and-a-half-acre site and minimises mains water usage.

The Sawtry site has been developed to allow an expanded 24-hour/seven-day operation. The increased production capacity will improve the level of service East Anglian Galvanizing offers to its many customers, the firm says.

All employees based at the existing Peterborough site have been offered the opportunity to move with the company to Sawtry. The extra production capacity has already led to the creation of six new jobs in the transport and production departments.