HALESOWEN and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street paid a visit to Sandvik Coromant following the firm’s move into new UK headquarters last year.

Sandvik Coromant, part of the global engineering Sandvik group from Sweden – which manufactures metal cutting tools, have moved into a purpose-built HQ with a high-tech innovation centre on Manor Way.

Thanks to a £5m investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority, the company’s old site next door has been demolished to make way for housing on brownfield land.

The company has been based in Halesowen since the 1950s and supplies the town’s Christmas tree as well as supporting Halesowen in Bloom and sponsoring Halesowen Town FC.

James Morris MP, who visited the firm along with the Mayor on March 20, said: “Having Sandvik Coromant in Halesowen is a real asset for our town, it was a pleasure to be at the official opening of their HQ last year and it was great for Andy to see the new headquarters for himself.

“Sandvik play a big role in the town’s civic life, and the move to the new headquarters has freed up a 5.6-acre brownfield site for new housing, with the Combined Authority’s support.

“Building here helps to protect the green belt on the opposite site of Manor Way, and I look forward to the completion of this development.”