Council welcomes major engineering investment in Broadland

Cllr Martin Booth, Broadland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, visited API Holdings to tour the facility, hear about the company’s plans for further growth and discuss how the Council can support its ambitions in Broadland.

Following the visit, Cllr Martin Booth said:

I was incredibly impressed by the scale and range of the operation and delighted that API Holdings chose Broadland as the place to invest and grow.

“To see a building that had stood empty transformed into a thriving engineering and manufacturing facility employing more than 100 people is fantastic. Businesses like API bring significant investment, skilled employment and new opportunities to our district.

“We want to work closely with businesses like API, understand what they need to continue growing and make sure they can access the right advice and support. We want Broadland to be a place where businesses of every size can flourish.”

API Engineering Ltd, founded in 2000, relocated its headquarters and operations to Broadland in 2025. The building had stood empty for three years before the company began an extensive programme of refurbishment.

Around £10 million has so far been invested in the building, power and equipment, with further investment planned as the company continues to grow.

API Engineering works with customers worldwide, providing services ranging from bespoke engineering solutions and high-volume manufacturing to supply chain management. Its customers operate across sectors including steel, oil and gas, power generation, automotive, material handling, agriculture and defence.

The site is also home to PPI Engineering Ltd, which specialises in rotating electrical machinery, motors and generators, and the design and development arm of API Capacitors Ltd, a leading UK designer and manufacturer of high-performance power capacitors. Together, the group has an annual turnover of more than £30 million.

Mike Robinson, Director of API Holdings, said:

The proactive approach from Broadland District Council was very helpful when we were considering our options.

“This move is instrumental in supporting our future growth ambitions and marked the year in which we celebrated 25 years in business. We at API are proud to be contributing to reversing the trend over recent decades for heavy manufacturing and engineering to leave the UK.”

Broadland District Council provides support to businesses at every stage of their development, from aspiring entrepreneurs to established companies looking to invest and expand.

Its Business Builder programme offers a combination of expert advice, training and financial support to help businesses start, develop and grow. Since late 2022, Business Builder has supported 298 businesses and awarded £1.25m in grants across Broadland.

Broadland District Council has committed up to £250,000 to continue its Business Builder programme during 2026/27 and 2027/28, with the new programme expected to support up to 100 businesses over the two years.

Businesses can find out more at southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/business or contact the Economic Development Team at [email protected] or 01603 980441