New Ambic base will be signal for growth
Oct 6 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal
A COMPANY that makes and supplies furniture for schools and universities believes it can almost treble its turnover as it prepares to move into a new 24,000sq ft factory.
Ambic’s new site is next to its current home on the Stella Gill Industrial Estate in Chester-le-Street.
The move will allow the company to move forward with plans to set up a mail order service, which it is believes will help to grow its turnover from £1.5m to £4m within five years.
The firm will also use the extra space to tap into the industrial market where it hopes to supply a number of science laboratories and factories.
Ambic’s product range includes school tables and benches as well as bookshelves and PE changing room furniture.
It also supplies products for the NHS, police forces and many local universities and recently fitted out Newcastle University’s science department.
Managing director David Potter, who set the business up 25 years ago, said: “This expansion will give us the foundations to improve market penetration and export the Ambic brand nationally.
“It secures all-round improvements for our woodworking, metal, sheet metal and precision-engineering operations.”
Potter is investing £1.8m in the new development – expected to be completed by Amble-based Northern Structures Ltd – and is implementing a number of green measures to help the company become more environmentally friendly.
These measures include electric vehicles, a grey water recycling facility and a biomass furnace that runs off recycled waste.
Potter has also purchased a house near the new factory, which he secured on the same day as proposing to his partner.
“I managed to pretty much sort out everything in one day, even proposing to my wife.” he said.
“I’m delighted that we can now look ahead to the future as the business was pretty much marching on the spot for a long time while we were seeking the go-ahead to build the new factory.”
The expansion plans were welcomed by Chester-le-Street District Council leader Coun Linda Ebbatson.
She said: “I would like to wish every success to this venture. Ambic’s continuing positive approach to investing in the Chester-le-Street community and the economic well being of the area is excellent news.”
