Harrison is flying flag for new jobs
Mar 31 2009 By Sue Scott
A TEESSIDE firm is waving the flag for the UK by repatriating more than half of its manufacturing to a new facility at its Darlington HQ, creating up to 40 jobs.
Flagpole maker Harrison External Display Systems will now make 50-60% of its products on Teesside, with the remainder made in Sri Lanka for distribution to markets in Asia and the Middle East. Previously, all of the company’s goods were made in Sri Lanka.
Harrison said the move would cut costs by 20-25% as it looks to boost turnover of £1.8m by 35% this year. The company employs 40 staff worldwide, including 22 at Darlington.
Andrew Hobson, commercial development manager, said local skills would help the firm capture a greater share of the UK market.
"It’s good for our UK customers to know that the pole erected outside has been hand-crafted in the UK," he said.
The shift highlights a growing trend among firms to bring overseas operations back home amid rising inflation in the Far East and Asia.
Spiraling labour costs in countries such as China and a weak pound, which has driven up the cost of importing materials, is making it more cost-effective for many firms to make their goods in the UK.
Harrison, which made the first Olympic flag and poles for London 2012, produces more than 15,000 flagpoles a year. Founded in 1969, the company ships around 3,000 poles to the US each year and supplies businesses throughout the Middle East and Europe.
Previous commissions include the Proms in the Park, the Tour de France and the World Cup.
