Key Points
- Constant Group announces a major £3m expansion programme across new equipment, buildings, and infrastructure
- The Oldham-based manufacturing business expects production capacity to triple as a result
- Company reported 37% growth in Q1 2026 amid strong demand from telecoms, data centre, and critical infrastructure sectors
- Investment includes refurbishment of an adjacent unit at headquarters and purchase of two high-precision machines
- Matt Garlick, co-Managing Director, states tripling capacity enables meeting demand at scale while evolving as a high-value engineering partner
- The £3m programme supports continued job creation, skills development, and reinforces commitment to Oldham base
- Expansion focuses on sustained year-on-year growth through innovation, operational capability, and strategic partnerships
Oldham (Manchester Mirror)June 08, 2026 – Constant Group has embarked on a major expansion programme, with a significant investment of approximately £3m across new equipment, buildings and infrastructure to support its next phase of growth. The Oldham-based manufacturing and technology business is undertaking the investment to substantially increase production capability, with capacity expected to triple as a result of the programme.
As reported by the official announcement from aboutmanchester.co.uk, Constant Group is undertaking this transformative investment during a period of strong trading performance. The business reported growth of approximately 37% in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting increasing demand across telecoms, data centre and critical infrastructure sectors. This substantial growth trajectory has prompted the company to scale its operations significantly to meet the rising market requirements.
The expansion includes the purchase and refurbishment of an adjacent unit at Constant Group’s headquarters and two high precision machines. This strategic investment will enable Constant Group to scale its end-to-end capabilities from design and prototyping through to manufacture and delivery supporting more complex, higher-value projects. The company’s comprehensive approach to manufacturing positions it as a full-service sheet metal fabrication business utilising in-house facilities of CAD design, engineering, manufacturing and assembly.
Matt Garlick, co-Managing Director at Constant Group, provided insight into the strategic reasoning behind this investment. As reported by Matt Garlick of Constant Group’s official announcement, he stated: “Following an exceptionally strong start to the year, this investment represents a natural next step for the business as we scale. We are seeing increasing demand for the type of innovative, practical solutions we deliver, particularly within telecoms and critical infrastructure. By investing significantly in our facilities and capabilities, we are positioning ourselves to meet that demand at scale.”
Garlick further elaborated on the broader significance of tripling capacity. According to Matt Garlick’s statement in the official announcement,
“Tripling our capacity is a major milestone, but it’s also about much more than volume. It allows us to continue evolving as a high-value engineering partner solving complex challenges and supporting some of the UK’s most important infrastructure programmes.”
This statement underscores the company’s ambition to move beyond simple volume production and establish itself as a premium engineering partner.
The £3m programme forms part of Constant Group’s wider growth strategy, focused on sustained year-on-year expansion and building long-term value through innovation, operational capability and strategic partnerships. As detailed in the official company announcement from aboutmanchester.co.uk, this investment represents a critical component of the company’s long-term vision for growth and market positioning.
The investment also reinforces the company’s commitment to its Oldham base, supporting continued job creation, skills development and its ambition to strengthen its reputation as a leading regional employer within advanced manufacturing. This local commitment aligns with Constant Group’s 50-year history of manufacturing excellence in North-West England, as noted in the company’s official website at constantgroup.co.uk.
Constant Group’s position as a British single source solution for sheet metal fabrication from telecom cabinets to POS displays demonstrates the breadth of its capabilities. The company serves diverse sectors including telecommunications, data centres, and critical infrastructure, all of which have shown increasing demand in recent quarters.
The timing of this investment coincides with broader trends in the UK manufacturing sector, where companies are increasingly investing in technology and infrastructure to remain competitive. Constant Group’s decision to triple capacity reflects confidence in sustained demand growth across its core sectors.
As a full service sheet metal fabrication business, Constant Group has utilised its in-house facilities to deliver comprehensive solutions to clients. The addition of two high-precision machines and the refurbishment of an adjacent unit will significantly enhance these capabilities, allowing the company to tackle more complex projects with greater efficiency.
The company’s end-to-end capabilities span from design and prototyping through to manufacture and delivery. This comprehensive approach differentiates Constant Group from competitors who may only offer partial services. The expansion will enable the company to support more complex, higher-value projects, further strengthening its market position.
Matt Garlick’s commentary highlights the strategic importance of the investment beyond mere capacity expansion. The focus on evolving as a high-value engineering partner suggests a shift toward more sophisticated, specialized work that commands higher margins and builds stronger client relationships.
The telecoms sector, in particular, has shown significant growth drivers. With increasing demand for data centres and critical infrastructure, Constant Group’s expertise in sheet metal fabrication for telecom cabinets positions it advantageously in this expanding market. The 37% Q1 growth reflects this sectoral momentum.
Data centre construction has emerged as a major growth area in the UK, with significant investments planned across the country. Constant Group’s capabilities in manufacturing components for data centres align with this trend, positioning the company to capture opportunities from this expanding sector.
Critical infrastructure programmes represent another key area of focus. The UK government has committed to substantial infrastructure investment, including transport, energy, and digital networks. Constant Group’s ability to support these programmes through its manufacturing capabilities provides a stable foundation for growth.
The company’s commitment to Oldham reflects its long-term roots in the region. Having operated for 50 years in North-West England, Constant Group has built strong relationships with local stakeholders and contributed to the regional economy. This investment reinforces that commitment and demonstrates confidence in the area’s continued importance.
Job creation and skills development are central to the company’s expansion strategy. As reported in the official announcement, the investment supports continued job creation, which will benefit the local community and provide employment opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Skills development initiatives will help build a pipeline of qualified workers for the expanding business.
The ambition to strengthen reputation as a leading regional employer aligns with broader trends in advanced manufacturing, where companies compete for skilled workers. By investing in skills development and creating jobs, Constant Group positions itself as an attractive employer in the region.
The wider growth strategy focused on sustained year-on-year expansion demonstrates long-term planning. Rather than pursuing short-term gains, Constant Group is building for sustained growth through innovation, operational capability, and strategic partnerships. This approach suggests confidence in long-term market conditions.
Innovation remains a key driver of Constant Group’s growth strategy. The company’s focus on delivering innovative, practical solutions reflects its commitment to staying at the forefront of manufacturing technology. The new high-precision machines will enhance this innovative capability.
Operational capability improvements through the £3m investment will enhance efficiency and quality. The expansion of facilities and addition of advanced equipment will enable Constant Group to operate at higher levels of performance, supporting its ambition to serve complex, high-value projects.
Strategic partnerships form another pillar of Constant Group’s growth strategy. By building long-term relationships with clients and suppliers, the company creates a stable foundation for sustained expansion. The investment in capabilities will strengthen these partnerships by enabling the company to deliver more value to partners.
The approximately 37% growth in Q1 2026 provides concrete evidence of the company’s strong market position. This growth rate significantly exceeds typical manufacturing sector performance, indicating Constant Group’s competitive advantage in its core sectors.
Increasing demand across telecoms, data centre and critical infrastructure sectors drives the expansion. These sectors represent long-term growth areas in the UK economy, providing Constant Group with a stable foundation for future expansion.
The decision to triple capacity represents a significant scaling of operations. This ambitious target demonstrates confidence in sustained demand growth and the company’s ability to capture market opportunities.
Refurbishment of an adjacent unit at headquarters optimises the company’s existing footprint. This approach maximises the value of the current location while expanding capabilities, demonstrating efficient use of resources.
Two high precision machines represent significant technological investment. These machines will enhance the company’s manufacturing capabilities, enabling it to produce higher-quality components with greater precision.
End-to-end capabilities from design through delivery provide comprehensive service to clients. This integrated approach differentiates Constant Group and creates value for customers seeking single-source solutions.
Supporting more complex, higher-value projects enables the company to move up the value chain. This strategic shift toward complexity and value adds margin and builds stronger client relationships.
Background of the Particular Development
Constant Group is a 50-year-old British manufacturing company based in Oldham, North-West England, specializing in advanced sheet metal fabrication. Founded in 1970, the company has established itself as a full-service solution for sheet metal fabrication, serving telecommunications cabinets, POS displays, data centres, and critical infrastructure sectors. The company operates in-house facilities including CAD design, engineering, manufacturing, and assembly, positioning itself as a single-source solution for clients. Over five decades, Constant Group has built strong regional presence in Oldham, contributing to the local economy and developing expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies. The company’s long history demonstrates sustained operation through various economic cycles, establishing it as a stable player in the UK manufacturing sector.
Prediction: How This Development Can affect the Local Community and Industry Stakeholders
The £3m investment by Constant Group will significantly affect multiple audiences in distinct ways. For the local Oldham community, the expansion will create continued job opportunities in advanced manufacturing, providing employment for residents and strengthening the regional economy. The company’s commitment to skills development will enable local workers to gain specialized manufacturing expertise, enhancing their career prospects and earning potential. This investment reinforces Oldham’s reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing, potentially attracting additional businesses to the area.
For telecoms sector clients, tripling capacity means Constant Group can meet increasing demand more effectively, reducing delivery times and enabling the company to handle larger projects. The enhanced capabilities with high-precision machines will improve product quality, benefiting telecom companies requiring precise cabinet components for their infrastructure deployments.
Data centre developers will benefit from Constant Group’s expanded capacity as data centre construction surges across the UK. The company’s ability to support more complex, higher-value projects means data centre builders can access specialized fabrication services locally, potentially reducing costs and accelerating project timelines.
For critical infrastructure programmes, including government-funded transport and energy projects, Constant Group’s expanded capacity provides a reliable regional manufacturing partner. The company’s enhanced end-to-end capabilities mean infrastructure projects can access comprehensive fabrication services from design through delivery, simplifying project management.
Local competitors in advanced manufacturing may face increased competition as Constant Group strengthens its market position. However, the expansion could also create opportunities for partnerships and collaborative projects as the regional manufacturing ecosystem grows.
Regional workforce will benefit from the company’s skills development initiatives, gaining access to training in advanced manufacturing technologies. This investment in workforce development helps build a pipeline of qualified workers for the broader advanced manufacturing sector in North-West England.
Supply chain partners will experience increased demand for materials and services as Constant Group scales production. This growth can strengthen the regional supply chain and create business opportunities for local suppliers.
The investment demonstrates confidence in the UK manufacturing sector’s long-term prospects, potentially encouraging other manufacturers to invest in similar expansion programmes. This could create a positive ripple effect across the regional manufacturing ecosystem, strengthening North-West England’s position as a leading advanced manufacturing region.
