A FAST-GROWING Essex-based engineering company is to open a site at the Port of Sunderland in a move that could create up to 60 jobs.

AJ Woods Engineering Ltd, which specialises in complex offshore structures for the renewable, oil and gas industries, said it was pleased to be establishing a presence in a “very forward-thinking city”.

The company will set up offices, stores and workshops at a facility in Port of Sunderland, allowing it to tap into the high demand from existing clients and companies looking for services in the North East.

The decision was made after the business spotted opportunities to be part of the construction and maintenance supply chain linked to the offshore renewable energy sector. It had been operating from a temporary site in Durham.

AJ Woods, which was founded in 1999, is expecting to play a major part in exploiting the opportunities from the UK Round 3 offshore wind farm programme.

Robert Day, business development manager at AJ Woods Engineering, said: “The company is pleased to be associated with the Port of Sunderland, who together with Sunderland City Council, have been extremely helpful. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial long-term working relationship.

“The area is ideally situated for our expansion plans due to its strategic location and I’ve had the pleasure of being able to see first-hand the highly skilled pool of labour available in the North East, which means the choice to employ locally is not only an easy decision but it’s an exciting and rewarding prospect.