North Wales firm eyes huge growth in Eastern Europe

Rhyl Journal

22-05-2025

Continental Diamond Tool (CDT), based in Kinmel Bay, has launched its first sales force in Poland.
The company, which supplies Tier 1 aerospace and automotive firms, specialises in high-spec grinding wheels for advanced manufacturing processes.
The team in Poland is led by Mariusz Kowalski, the new sales manager.
Mr Kowalski, a Warsaw University of Technology graduate, will be responsible for securing new orders in the rapidly expanding Eastern European market.
He said: "The new plant in Kinmel Bay will generate more products and a larger production volume, putting us in a perfect spot to support what's happening here in Poland."
CDT, which was founded as Consort Precision Diamond in 1984, was taken over and rebranded in 2018 by CDT, which has its headquarters in New Haven, Indiana.
The company has invested £250,000 in cutting-edge equipment to increase the production of new electroplated grinding wheels and tools.
This is part of a £4 million expansion plan that will triple production and double the workforce to 80 in Kinmel Bay.
Later this year, the operation will move to a new 30,000 sq ft factory, three times the size of its current premises on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.
Mr Kowalski said: "The Polish market in terms of advanced manufacturing in particular is the fastest-growing in Europe.
"Poland is also attractive to European Union countries like Germany and France because it has a well-educated and skilled workforce, lower costs and is more flexible."
CDT's business is thriving, with sales of its new electroplated grinding products increasing by 960 per cent over the past two years.
The company expects electroplated products to outsell rotary dressers within a few years as orders continue to increase.
The move into Poland is forecast to further boost demand.
They already export 50 per cent of their turnover, with electroplated grinding products reaching beyond Europe into the Middle East, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Managing director Jeff Wirth said: "Strategically, appointing the team in Poland was a very important move because it's the next step in our expansion in Europe.
"Poland's economy has been transformed in recent years and it's now a manufacturing powerhouse so this is perfect timing.
"Our operation there is being integrated into the company at a time when we are going to be moving into the new factory which will enable us to triple our production capacity, with new products coming on stream.
"Mariusz will be at the forefront, ensuring that our clients in Poland receive top-notch service and support.
"His expertise and dedication are key to navigating this phase of growth.
"It's a really exciting time for CDT – watch this space."