A metalworks company has strengthened its base after taking over another firm - protecting jobs in the process.

MJAllen Metalwork has acquired all of the assets of Kent Metal Developments (KMD). Both businesses are based in Ashford.

The deal will see all those employed by KMD kept on while MJA Metalwork is set to grow to a projected turnover of £4.5million from a new team of 40 staff.

Boss of the family-owned MJAllen is Mike Allen. He explains: "This improves what we can offer our customers by bringing the full manufacturing process in-house and making us more effective. It's now just one call to us to get the whole job done. I’m particularly pleased that we were able to secure all the jobs from this acquisition and operate within the caring values that got our family business to where it is today. Nobody will be left out as we move forward together, expanding UK metalwork in the South East."

Phil Chapman, director of KMD, added: “Joining MJA Metalwork and the parent MJAllen Group provides a huge amount of opportunity for my team and the clients that we’ve been working with for many years. We look forward to adding to the excellent knowledge and skills that are already present."

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