Jobs created at Gateshead firm to support new software launch

Feb 3 2010 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A FIRM that supplies payroll services and HR software expects to grow its sales by 16% this year as it prepares to launch one of the most important products in its 29-year history.

Cintra HR & Payroll Services, based in Gateshead, has grown its turnover by more than 30% over the last two years to between £2m and £5m and wants to grow its workforce from 53 to more than 60 in the coming months to support the launch of a product that combines its services.

The company has combined its separate HR and payroll software systems into one product, which has been warmly received in initial trials.

It now plans to employ more than 100 staff in four years time as a result of the technology, which it said would secure sales growth over the same period.

The software, which is expected to be market-ready by the summer, will give users the choice to subscribe to a remote online server controlled by Cintra, or have the software installed directly at their offices.

The firm was originally established in 1981 to provide a wide range of services to the North East business community, but decided to focus on HR and payroll five years ago in order to become more competitive in the market place.

Cintra has managed to grow an impressive client list, which includes Ringtons tea, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Alcan Packaging, Mitsubishi UK, JT Dove Builders Merchants, South Tyneside College and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The firm said it had seen an increase in the take up of its on-line services as more companies looked to outsource the management of their systems during the economic downturn.

Chief executive Carsten Staehr said: “We are extremely focused on getting this new piece of software out into the market this year, as it has already received a hugely positive reaction during trials.

“More of our clients are looking to outsource the maintenance of their HR software, which, for many firms, has been called upon greatly during the downturn.”