Clarity Group has acquired Cofast – protecting 64 jobs

More than 60 jobs have been future-proofed in the Black Country and South West by the acquisition of a key supplier to the nuclear and defence industries.

Clarity Group has bought NDB Engineering and its sister company Cofast from administrators, securing the firms’ future and bringing fresh investment in robotics along with various productivity enhancements.

The company will now trade as Cofast and aims to use its new financial support to pursue opportunities in decommissioning work and in major UK naval projects. 

Cofast, based in Willenhall, is also eyeing potential expansion into the aerospace supply chain, where safety-critical, precision-engineered components are essential.

“We have been delivering critical parts for the nuclear and defence sector for nearly three decades, with our turned parts and fasteners used in applications deployed by some of the world’s biggest organisations,” said managing director Rebecca James.

She will continue to run the business with technical director Andy Williams.

Plans to expand into new sectors 

Kevin Robinson, chairman of Clarity Group, said: “Our latest purchase represents a perfect opportunity to increase our presence in two industrial markets that are receiving unprecedented investment.

“Both NDB Engineering and Cofast, a leading provider of standard fasteners and engineering supplies, have excellent relationships in defence and nuclear that we want to maximise through increased efficiencies and investment in the latest technology.”

Cofast will continue operating from its 22,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Willenhall and a 6,500 sq ft logistics centre near the A38 in Plymouth. 

The business employs 64 people, generates £7 million in annual revenue and supplies bespoke turned parts in exotic alloys, alongside a vast range of engineered consumables, to customers across more than 50 countries.