Contract wins bring hope of 150 new jobs

Jan 15 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

ARENEWABLE energy and electrical firm hopes a succession of recent contracts will help it create 150 new jobs within three years.

Stockton-based AAG Swepco saw its turnover shoot from £2m to £8m last year and has started 2008 in the same vein after securing contracts worth £2.6m between late December and early January.

The contracts cover work across the UK, including a leisure centre in Northern Scotland, railway station refurbishments and retail banks. Sean Collier, AAG’s marketing manager, said: “We are extremely excited about the contract wins, especially as it means we will be able to implement employment and development plans within our organisation.

“In addition to this, it’s great to see our renewables division reporting healthy growth.”

The firm’s head office is also set to move to larger premises in Middlesbrough, where it plans to add 50 jobs to its 10-strong workforce this year.

As well as supplying and installing electrical systems, AAG Swepco specialises in the design, supply and installation of renewable energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines and has worked with a host of businesses in the sector.

It has previously said that it is confident that it will see its turnover shoot to £25m in four years time following a £1m investment and a merger with its sister company AAG Electrical. It also plans to invest much of its future profits into doubling its number of offices from three to six, including a second site in the North-East.

The company currently has offices in Glasgow and Bidford-upon-Avon in addition to its head office in Stockton on Tees.

Mr Collier said: “The renewables sector is really taking off and we have been putting a lot of effort into sales and marketing for that, and it is now really paying off.”