UP to 12 jobs will be created in Kingswinford when a Black Country accident repair firm opens its new £250,000 state-of-the-art repair centre.

In February, specialist repair company BodyKraft will unveil its new ‘Fastrack’ business within the Pensnett Estate’s Progress Point development – its second repair centre on the business park.

The new service will focus on minor body repairs and through latest technology, will accelerate the spraying and drying of customers’ vehicles to just five minutes – helped by a £78,000 moveable spray booth and UV infrared drying system – the only technology of its type in the region.

Founded in 1998 by owners Mike Pugh and Lorna Freeman, BodyKraft has now grown to employ a team of 90 across four sites including Dudley, Wolverhampton and Merry Hill.

The new Fastrack facility, which will handle up to 12 vehicles per day, looks set to bring 12 new roles including mechanics, panel beaters, paint technicians and office staff.

Mike Pugh, managing director, said: “As we mark our 17th anniversary we have invested into providing one of the most high-tech vehicle repair and spraying facilities in the country.

“Many of our customers are local people and businesses who rely on their vehicles and need them back on the road as quickly as possible, so our new rapid service means owners can have their cars and vans repaired on the same day.

“We’re delighted that this new facility will mean more jobs for people in the Black Country. It’s the engine room of Britain and we need the best local people to be part of our team and what is the most ambitious initiative in our history.”

BodyKraft has also used local firms for the construction and fitting out of its new premises, including M Foster Construction which is also based on the estate.

Paula James, industrial lettings manager at LCP, owners of the Pensnett Estate, added: “BodyKraft is a long-standing tenant of ours so we were only too pleased to help the company find suitable premises for its new Fastrack repair service.

“It’s great to see such a successful family-run firm that is continuing to grow in the West Midlands.”