UK manufacturer to build $6.4M facility in Danville

MEP Ltd., a manufacturer of complex plastic and metal components for the aerospace and defense sectors, will invest $6.4 million to establish its first U.S. operation in Danville, creating 45 jobs, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday.

The company, which will operate in the U.S. as Making Everything Possible LLC, will locate in the Cyber Park industrial technology park jointly owned by the city of Danville and Pittsylvania County. While the new facility is under construction, MEP will occupy approximately 5,500 square feet at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.

Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project.

“Virginia’s manufacturing industry is large and diverse, and we are excited to partner with MEP Ltd. as the company opens its first U.S. operation in the commonwealth,” Northam said in a statement. “Danville-Pittsylvania County has developed an inventory of business-ready sites and training programs to ensure a strong pipeline of skilled workers, enabling Southern Virginia to attract global businesses like MEP.”

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, MEP Ltd. has $3.2 million in global sales.

“Following extensive research regarding the best location in the U.S. for MEP Ltd.’s continued expansion, we are delighted to choose Danville as our base for Making Everything Possible LLC,” said Phil Hart, executive chair of MEP Ltd. and president of Making Everything Possible LLC. “The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is a very particular draw for us, as the approach to encouraging the growth of STEM skills and diversity has been a major reason for our decision.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Danville, Pittsylvania County, the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority, Invest Southern Virginia and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Northam approved a $135,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $270,000 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund for the project. Funding, and services to support the company’s job creation will be provided through VEDP’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program.