A Cornwall-based specialist engineering company, MintMech, has officially opened a new design and manufacturing facility in Penryn. The new Automation Manufacturing and Engineering Centre (AMEC) is situated at Kernick Industrial Estate and spans approximately 750 square metres. It combines a 30-seat design engineering office with dedicated workshop and yard space.
Supporting key industries
MintMech stated that the AMEC facility will enable the company to deliver more complex projects across the marine, offshore, and mining sectors. The company delivers complete mechanical and hydraulic systems and commissions them around the world, supporting projects both in the UK and overseas.
Director and co-founder Jack Berryman commented on the milestone: “MintMech turns eight this August and our new headquarters marks a major milestone in the next chapter of what we do. It represents a step up in how we deliver projects. Through AMEC, we now bring analysis, design, build and commissioning together under one organisation.”
Political and community support
Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, praised the investment, saying it was “fantastic” to see a local company “investing and growing” in Penryn. She highlighted the facility’s role in supporting Cornwall’s historic marine and mining industries, which will help bring wealth back to the region and enable the energy transition.
The site is located a 10-minute walk from Falmouth University's Penryn Campus (formerly Tremough Campus), and the company hopes to support the next generation of engineers.
Retaining local talent
Director and co-founder Laurie Thornton emphasised the importance of providing local career opportunities: “So much talent comes through the doors of Camborne School of Mines and Exeter University, but all too often those people end up working outside the UK. The old joke was that if you looked down a mine anywhere in the world, you’d find a Cornishman at the bottom; we want AMEC to provide opportunities for people to build careers closer to home.”
AMEC has received £250,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Production manager Leigh Frazer added: “Cornwall is already a hub for high-value engineering and manufacturing; AMEC is another asset for the county. With this upgraded capacity, Cornwall can support more major energy and infrastructure projects and outsource less work abroad.”
