Specialist machinery supplier to create 30 jobs after relocating HQ to Barnsley

A specialist supplier of machine control systems to the waste logistics and construction industry has moved its UK headquarters to Barnsley as part of its strategy to boost expansion.

MOBA UK, which doubled its turnover in the last two years, has moved to new 13,000 sq ft premises at Park Springs industrial estate, Grimethorpe. It retains an additional workshop and administration centre near to its former head office in Buckinghamshire.

The company’s new home is 40% larger than its former base, allowing it to upscale production and servicing capacity.

The machine technology specialists design, install and service a range of sophisticated mobile technology products to two main markets.

MOBA machinery and software is used in the refuse and recycling industry to enable waste collection lorries to weigh and sort loads more precisely. The company’s high-tech devices for the highways construction industry enable pavers and rollers to lay asphalt at the optimum temperature and highest grade possible, to create roads with a longer lifespan and reduced risk of pot holes.

MOBA’s technology has even been used to lay the surface at the Grand Prix racetrack in Abu Dhabi. MOBA’s excavator control systems are also supplied to a number of UK plant hire companies and owner operator contractors.

MOBA UK, whose waste customers include companies like Veolia and Viridor, has already recruited a workforce of nine people to work in the Barnsley operation and are currently in the process of recruiting two additional workshop installation technicians and two apprentices who will start in the autumn.

The company has invested £60k in refurbishing its new home to create bespoke workshop, office and conference facilities and predicts a further £400k investment in equipment, technology and staff over the next three to five years. It aims to create 20 to 30 new jobs in total.

MOBA saw its turnover double to £2.5m in the last two years and aims to increase sales and double turnover again by the end of 2017.

Set up five years ago, MOBA UK is a 100%-owned subsidiary of its international parent company, MOBA Mobile Automation group which was founded in Germany over 40 years ago.

Ian Lewis, managing director, said: “We have a great deal of international experience and support behind us, but are a relatively new supplier of high-quality technology to the UK waste and construction market. All our growth in the last couple of years has come through securing new customers and promoting the value of investment in our high-tech product to the industries we serve here.

“We are committed to supporting the waste logistics and construction industry to improve the quality and efficiency of their operations, which ultimately leads to significant benefits in performance and cost-effectiveness. Our products also have massive environmental benefits as they support best practice in waste recycling management and road improvement.”

MOBA is being helped to develop its business here by Enterprising Barnsley, the economic development and business support arm of Barnsley Council.

Ian added: “We wanted a base somewhere between Nottingham and Leeds along the M1 corridor to give us best access to our UK customer base, and have been recruiting in the north to that purpose for some time. After looking around widely, we decided this large, modern unit in Barnsley was the perfect fit for our business and growth plans.

“The position and facilities are just right; its 10 minutes from the M1 and we are already working with local engineering suppliers and have used local contractors to upgrade our premises. We look forward to growing our business as part of Barnsley’s expanding economy.”

Enterprising Barnsley business investment manager Shaun Higginbottom, also commented: “MOBA UK is just the kind of ambitious company we are delighted to attract to Barnsley. It is the leading provider of machine control systems to the waste logistics and construction industry, and the target market for its specialist machinery can only grow as digital technology becomes ever more integrated into the way we all work.

“We wish them every success in their new home and hope it will be the perfect location to reach out to new customers across the UK.”