Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone

A rich international and indigenous manufacturing heritage and a skilled, available workforce, with academic expertise on the doorstep and easy access to key markets and supply chains in Wales and the Midlands.

• Eight key sites
• 40 hectares (98 acres) of development land with 100% expansion space with fast-tracked planning decisions
• World-class manufacturing research at local universities
• Closely aligned with the Tech Valleys programme, capitalising on the opportunities arising from the fourth industrial revolution.
• Strong manufacturing track record and skills availability

Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone is a focal point for manufacturing in Wales, with the skills you would expect from an area boasting a longstanding heritage in the sector and existing resident international and indigenous manufacturers.

Its strong strategic location in south east Wales provides easy access to customers and the supply chain in the region and with other manufacturing hubs in the UK, including the West Midlands. Substantial improvements have been made with the dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road (now nearing completion) and the extension of the railway line from Parkway to the Works site in Ebbw Vale, providing direct rail access to the Zone.

There’s also plenty of space to grow, with five key sites of prime development land. There’s outline planning permission throughout the Zone with fast track planning process.

The £100m, ten-year Tech Valleys programme, covering Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys region, aims to capitalise on the opportunities arising from the fourth industrial revolution – particularly in the areas of 5G, battery technology, digital and cyber research and application – supporting high value, sustainable jobs, attracting investment and creating opportunities for the region.

And the Zone also forms part of the wider Cardiff Capital Region, a project that’s investing £1.2bn of public money to leverage another £4bn of private investment across South East Wales.

There is world-class manufacturing research at local universities. And one of Coleg Gwent’s six campuses - the Learning Zone - is based at the heart of The Works site in Ebbw Vale, offering a range of A-Level, university level and full-time vocational courses. They also collaborate with local businesses and organisations like Aspire Blaenau Gwent to provide award-winning apprenticeships.

And the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC), a partnership between the Welsh Government, the University of South Wales and cyber giant Thales has created a hub for high-tech and cyber businesses.

Add to this competitive salary and property costs to keep your overheads down and Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone adds up to a great location for your business.