A POWYS fishing business is set for a business boom in North America - leading to more than 20 new jobs - after benefiting from a Welsh Government investment.
The Welsh Government is making a £566,000 investment in specialist fishing line manufacturer Airflo.
The move is intended to help preserve the future of the company's plant in Brecon, creating 21 jobs and safeguarding a further 44, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said.
Airflo manufactures the world's only range of 100% PVC-free fly-fishing lines and is a leading innovator in the sector.
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Based out of a factory on the Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate in Brecon and owned by US-based Mayfly Group, Airflo has seen pre-season orders forecasting a quadrupling of business to North America.
The Welsh Government investment will also enable the company to build on its export growth in North America and expand into new markets, such as Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
The investment from the Welsh Government’s Economy Futures Fund will allow Airflo to introduce a new product to market that does not currently exist.
Most fly-fishing lines are made from PVC, which begin to break down immediately after manufacturing.
The new equipment will replace ageing equipment and result in improved productivity, ensuring that jobs remain in Wales and research and development at Brecon continues. Airflow has invested nearly £2m in its plant in Brecon since 2020.
Announcing the award, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I’m delighted to announce this major investment to support specialist manufacturing in Powys.
“Airflo is a unique company with an innovative product with worldwide sales potential. So, this project will not only help boost the local economy in Brecon, providing a predominantly rural area with quality employment opportunities with very competitive salaries, but it will also result in the development of a new product that will help protect the environment.
“The Welsh Government is committed to protecting our environment and this investment aligns with our long-term ambitions of phasing out unnecessary, single-use products, especially plastic, and sending zero plastic to landfill.”
Airflo director of finance and HR Sherrie Wolf added: "We are thrilled that the Welsh Government is supporting our business growth.
"We have massive opportunities to grow our exports and at the moment we can't meet demand.
“This loan will assist us in adding substantial production equipment and add a further 21 full time roles in the company. It's great that Wales is open for business."
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