Insider Media Limited

A Coventry-based engineering company has received a visit from the Duke of York after a "record" year in which it created 40 jobs.

Penso Group, which specialises in vehicle development, interior trim and electronic systems integration, hosted a visit from the royal family member as part of a delegation organised by Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The Duke received a guided tour of the company’s 42,000 sq ft site in Coventry before viewing projects including the Mercedes-Benz London Vito taxi and the Morgan 3 Wheeler.

"The Royal visit capped an amazing year for Penso, which has seen us win lots of exciting new projects in the automotive sector, as well as new contracts in defence, renewable energy and aerospace," said Michael Collins, the company's sales and marketing director.

"It was great to meet The Duke of York and it gave us the perfect opportunity to promote the manufacturing excellence, innovation and design flair we boast in the West Midlands.

"We also used the tour to discuss access to finance, the skills agenda and the importance of bringing through the next generation of engineers we so desperately need to grow our business."

Backed by strategic support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands, Penso was launched in 2004 after a management buy-in by managing director Daniel Hurcombe and David Roche, technical director.

Over the last year, the company has created 40 new jobs at its Woodhams Road headquarters, taking the total workforce to 100.