Dyson jobs welcomed in Malmesbury (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Dyson jobs welcomed in Malmesbury

9:50am Friday 1st March 2013 in North Wilts news

NEWS that Malmesbury’s biggest employer is preparing to take on another 100 people has been welcomed in the town this week.

Dyson made the announcement at the same time as it revealed a new automated manufacturing plant in the Far East last week.

Mayor Ray Sanderson said: “I think it’s great news. It will bring more foot fall into the town and hopefully lead to more turnover.”

However he pointed out that many Dyson employees commuted into the town and added: “I would like to see what proportion of them are Malmesbury local people.”

Chairman of the town’s chamber of commerce Paul Baker was also pleased. “The chamber are delighted with this news,” he said. “It shows further commitment of Dyson to the town and is warmly welcomed.”

The company, which recently unveiled a tap that dries as well as washes hands, has more than doubled its research and development department in recent years and now employs 850 engineers among the 1925 employed at Tetbury Hill. A total of 220 were taken on last year and this year will see another 100.

Last month it gave public backing to the neighbourhood planning process being carried out in the town and revealed it wanted to expand and to see a technology hub created on land around its base that would attract similar industries to the town.

The James Dyson Foundation has also set up a degree bursary for students at Malmesbury School to help the brightest and best engineering students go to university.