• Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, visited Heyside Group to see the manufacturer’s rapid shift toward advanced, automated production.
• The visit highlighted growing collaboration between Oldham Council and GM Business Growth Hub to support local business modernisation.
• Heyside’s upgrades are set to boost capacity, create skilled roles and strengthen its long-term contribution to Oldham’s economy.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council visited Heyside Group in Royton on Thursday 26 February to meet the team driving one of the borough’s most significant manufacturing transformations. The visit, organised jointly by Oldham Council and the GM Business Growth Hub, underlined the strong partnership supporting local employers that are investing in new technologies, creating high‑quality jobs and contributing to Oldham’s long‑term economic growth. 

Based on Meek Street, Heyside Group is a family‑run manufacturer specialising in PVC injection‑moulded products for the traffic management, utilities and infrastructure sectors. Processing around 300 tonnes of recycled plastic each week, the company plays a meaningful role in Oldham’s circular‑economy ambitions. Over the last four years, Heyside has been undertaking a major shift from traditional manual production towards a digitally enabled, increasingly automated factory. This work has involved investment in new machinery, upgraded tooling, digital systems and robotics, positioning the company for long‑term growth.

Much of this progress has been supported by GM Business Growth Hub, which has worked closely with Heyside throughout its transformation. Through the Growth Hub, the company has accessed Made Smarter digital expertise and internships, received technical support from NERIC, and benefited from research input through CEAMS and the Green Economy team. The Hub also connected Heyside to the £500,000 GMCA loan, enabling major investment in automation, new tooling, robotic paint‑spraying equipment and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with Lancaster University and the University of Salford.

Oldham Council has also played a key enabling role in Heyside’s journey. Its support includes a £10,000 technology grant for an automated feed system and invitations to local manufacturing forums to help strengthen the company’s visibility and connections within the borough. Heyside sees this as the foundation of a long‑term partnership with the Council as it continues to expand its capabilities and workforce.

As the Leader toured the Meek Street facility alongside Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub, she met with Managing Director Matt Pryce and Finance & Transformation Lead Garreth Brown to discuss the company’s future ambitions. These include expanding export activity, developing new materials such as recycled PVC pellets and investing in product innovation for new markets. Projections show that the company’s automation programme could increase production capacity by 40 to 60 percent within five years, opening up new opportunities for market and job growth.

“Heyside Group is an excellent example of the ambition and innovation we’re proud to champion here in Oldham. Their investment in new technologies and commitment to creating quality local jobs shows exactly the direction we want to support our businesses to take,” said Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council. “It was inspiring to see first-hand how a long‑standing Oldham manufacturer is transforming, growing and paving the way for future generations of skilled workers. The Council looks forward to continuing our partnership with Heyside as they build on this success.” 

“Oldham is our home, and we were proud to welcome the Council Leader to see the progress our team has made,” said Matt Pryce, Managing Director at Heyside Group. “The support from both Oldham Council and the Growth Hub has been central to unlocking new technology, improving productivity and developing the skills we need for the future. This is an exciting time for our business, and we’re committed to continuing our growth right here in Oldham.” 

“Heyside’s progress demonstrates what can be achieved when business ambition is matched with coordinated support,” said Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub. “By bringing together digital expertise, automation guidance, funding routes and academic partnerships, we’ve helped Heyside accelerate a transformation that strengthens resilience and opens the door to new markets. It’s a fantastic example of how Greater Manchester’s support ecosystem helps manufacturers scale with confidence.”

For more information, visit GM Business Growth Hub | Heyside Group: Transforming from Manual Production to Advanced Manufacturing — Powered by Greater Manchester’s Support Ecosystem