Manufacturing sub-contractor CEL Group is rapidly reaping the rewards of moving to its impressive new purpose-built Telford base. The business, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has been fully operational at the council-owned Hortonwood West business park since September 2022.

The plot has been developed through the Telford Land Deal programme, a partnership formed in 2015 between Telford & Wrekin Council, Homes England and the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.

Via the Marches Building Investment Building Grant Scheme, CEL Group received over £63,000 of funding to make the final alterations to the building. This is partially financed by the England European Regional Development Fund, part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

Expanded Supply Chain Services

Since making the move from its previous Telford unit in Halesfield, CEL Group has virtually doubled its floor space – from 21,000 sq.ft to 40,000 sq.ft.

It means the sub-contract manufacturing business is now expanding its services, passing on the benefit of this additional capacity to its UK manufacturing customers.

The move to Hortonwood West is also enabling CEL Group to accelerate its expansion of flexible supply chain services to help leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) compete more successfully in the UK market, as well as overseas.
CEL Group offers cost-competitive quality manufacturing and full logistics management to many different industry sectors with over 60% of its products supporting the healthcare sector, including the NHS.

Products range from components to complex fabrications and from assemblies to full box builds.


Simon Cartwright, CEL Group Managing Director said: “Moving to the new site has made a huge difference to the CEL Group – bringing several of our operations under one roof. 

Here, we can improve our services and grow faster which makes it easier for our customers – UK manufacturers – to compete more effectively and grow too. We’re already expanding our UK assembly offer, as well as other initiatives.

“The Telford Land Deal has been instrumental in redeveloping these sites making it possible for businesses, like ourselves, to move into smart purpose-built units and expand our operations and services. We’ve come a long way over the last 20 years and we’re excited about building an even stronger future in Shropshire.”

CEL Group, which also has modern office space at its new premises, employs 16 staff, with the company’s first ever apprentice now leading an assembly line.


Julie Tickell-Cartwright, CEL Group’s Marketing Director, added: “Being able to move to such a great facility locally will future-proof the business; attracting new customers, as well as ensuring our existing customers are even happier.


“In fact, since we opened our doors, we’ve been delighted at the number of customers and prospects who’ve been keen visit the new site and discuss the opportunities it offers them.


She concluded, “The whole team are even more motivated working at new facility with so much more potential for not only our customers’ growth but theirs.”

Apprenticeship opportunities and more

CEL Group is currently looking to take on further apprentices, both on the shopfloor and potentially supporting CEL Group’s logistics, finance and sales office functions.