Dundee alloy manufacturer invests in apprentices and secures Chinese growth with R&D tax rebates

A technology and equipment supplier in Dundee is upskilling staff and gearing up for international growth after securing tax rebates on its research and development (R&D) investment.

PhD student Richie with apprentices Brandon and Blair

Rautomead, which produces non-ferrous metals and alloys for the global market, is using tax rebates to put graduate workers through their PhDs and invest in apprenticeships.

The manufacturer currently has two trainees and plans to take on a further two modern apprentices this year.

Rautomead turned over more than £8 million last year, investing nearly £1m in R&D during that period as part of a substantial spend to develop “world-class” technology.

The company is also driving overseas expansion following new contract wins in China. This includes supporting the production of the Chinese national high speed rail network’s “next generation” metal, Copper Chrome Zirconium, by supplying specialist manufacturing equipment designed in Dundee.

MD Brian Frame said: “In a globally competitive sector like ours, investment in innovation and people is essential. This has been at the cornerstone of our growth across existing and new markets and is driving an increase in revenues.

“The recent contract wins in China and our ability to target the fast-growing electric vehicle industry underlines how important such investment is to our business.”

Kevin Bailey, innovation funding consultant at innovation specialist ABGI UK, which helped to secure the tax rebate, said: “Rautomead is Scottish manufacturing success story.

“The company’s investment in R&D has kept the business at the top of its game allowing it to invest in its workforce and ultimately secure more success in global markets.”