Hughes Bespoke and PIA UK have expanded at the business park in Pontypool
Two firms are driving impressive growth having expanded into new space at Mamhilad Park Estate (MPE) in Pontypool.
Hughes Bespoke, which produce precision-crafted events, stands and spaces for global brands, has returned to MPE where they were originally, having grown by 320% since 2020. Initially taking a 7,500 sq ft industrial unit earlier this year, the business has now more than doubled its space to a 15,900 sq ft and created six new jobs. In 2026 it expects to double its space again, with 109 events already planned, compared to 69 delivered this year.
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Managing director Kieran Hughes said: “This is a great location for us, with good transport links and local workforce, and Mamhilad Park Estate also brings significant business rates savings as we look to grow further over the next 12 to 18 months.
“Having had to pivot quite considerably when the pandemic hit, we’ve worked hard to build back our business to be both bigger and stronger. The industry has changed, too, with clients more focused on their sustainability responsibilities, so we need more storage to be able to reuse materials.
“So we have ongoing client contracts in place rather than working on a project basis, which means our own growth is more sustainable and predictable. We confidently expect to be up to 30,000 square feet next year.”
Cwmbran-based PIA UK specialises in producing accessible print formats including Braille, large print, audio, and electronic files. The company originally wanted to create a replica office over 3,400 sq ft at Mamhilad for disaster recovery purposes. However, business growth has meant that this is now a second thriving base for the company with nine additional jobs already created, taking the number of employees to over 50.
“We work on behalf of public and private sector organisations, producing critical communications for people with a visual impairment, using specialist equipment,” said PIA UK managing director, Sharon Williams.
“Having two spaces in case of an unforeseeable problem affecting one is crucial for us and our clients to sustain a reliable service in all circumstances. The timing was right to invest in a new base and new equipment and Mamhilad was the perfect location and has allowed us to add new work and new people as well as the resilience we needed.”
Peter Downes of Mamhilad Park Estate said: “We see our role as supporting all our occupiers to succeed by providing the environment, facilities, value-for-money, flexibility and services they need,” he said.
“So it’s fantastic to see diverse and significant businesses not just doing well here, but growing, and we’ll continue to underpin sustainable growth among our occupiers in every way we can.”
