Lord Sainsbury will perform the official opening of the new Atlas Composites Ltd facility Chelton House, on Quarry Hill Industrial estate in Ilkeston, Derbyshire today.  This investment in expansion comes just one year after the acquisition by the Chelton Group, a division of Cobham plc.

Cobham, a FTSE 250 company with a £1bn turnover, has established operations in five continents and employs over 10,000 people world wide, operating predominantly in the aerospace and defence markets.

Atlas Composites was formed in January 1997 to manufacture carbon fibre components for the Formula One motor racing industry.

Atlas Composites has retained its identity and continues to be managed by its former owners - managing director Shaun Moloney, operations director Alan Skinner and production director Tom Anderson.  The projected company growth is now being realised through the investment from the Chelton Group, and at 24,000 square foot the new facility is over three times the size of the former facility.

Shaun Moloney advises that the Atlas Composites Formula One interests will continue to grow: at present they supply four leading F1 Teams.  Shaun Moloney continues,

'We are delighted that our first ever customer Jordan Grand Prix has agreed to the loan of an actual race car to promote the day.  This is an extremely important day for us, having surpassed sales forecasts whilst relocating factories at the peak of production is testament to the ability and endeavours of all concerned. With the added support of Cobham plc we will continue to move forward.'