Express Engineering to create new jobs

Nov 21 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

FORTY new jobs are being created following a £3.2m expansion at an engineering company with One North East backing the scheme to the tune of £550,000.

With its existing 40,000 square foot Team Valley site already operating to capacity, Express Engineering has taken on an additional 18,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space.

The new facility will allow the 30-year-old company to invest in latest technology machinery with a view to increasing turnover by 50% over the next three years.

Having already extended its apprenticeship programme with four new recruits added this year, this new investment will add 40 jobs to its 125-strong workforce over the coming two years

Express provides precision-machined components and assemblies to international clients in the aerospace, defence and oil and gas sectors and believes this investment will help it develop in the renewable sector.

Managing director Nigel Davison said: “This is a very exciting time for us which heralds a new age of growth for the company. We have enjoyed an extremely successful couple of years and despite the recent downturn in some sectors we have a busy order book, stretching well into 2009.

“Whilst we cannot be complacent, we are cautiously optimistic about the immediate to mid term future.

“The manufacturing sector is hugely important to the economy of the North East and thanks to the skill and dedication of our workforce, there is strong demand for the high integrity products we supply.

“As a forward-thinking engineering firm we want to ensure that we’re in the best possible position to capitalise on this demand, creating new job opportunities and long term security for employees and shareholders alike.

Ken Samson, business finance manager at One North East, which provided a £550,000 Selective Finance for Investment grant, said: “It’s very encouraging that quality firms such as Express Engineering are investing in their future in the region. One North East is pleased to be able to support the company during this difficult economic time as it strives to take advantage of new opportunities in sectors such as new and renewable energy.”

Express Engineering recently celebrated two new contracts to supply components and assemblies to the offshore industry worth £4m over the next two years.

This investment in equipment such as vertical lathes, horizontal machining centres, five axis machines and automated welding machines will allow it to produce larger, more complex precision components,

Mark Simpson, corporate finance manager at unw, which helped pull together the finance package, said: “It is encouraging to see the success already achieved at Express Engineering and it was a pleasure to work with the management team to finalise this grant.

“We’re always delighted to offer advice and support to North East businesses such as Express.”

We’re delighted to offer advice and support to North East businesses such as Express