A METALWORK company whose products have has featured on television and in projects around the UK is doubling in size and taking on extra staff.
Sunderland-based TaylorHood Metalworks, which makes architectural metal designs such as sculptures, staircases and canopies, is adding five new jobs to its current workforce to help keep pace with demand for its bespoke work.
The company is also relocating to bigger premises within the Pattinson Industrial Estate in Washington, expanding its floorspace from 3,000sqft to 6,000sqft.
Since setting up in December 2010, the business has grown consistently, and it recently provided all the metalwork for BBC1 drama The Paradise, which was filmed at nearby Lambton Castle.
It has also worked on projects in commercial buildings and private residences around the country. Past commissions have included work at St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham, Trinity College in Stockton, Teesside, and the Chaophraya restaurant in Edinburgh.
The firm was established by Chris Taylor and Neil Hood, who have almost two decades’ experience of working in the metalwork industry. They have been supported in their expansion and growth by Sunderland City Council.
Hood said: “For the first six months, it was just me and Chris but, since then, it’s grown massively – it’s certainly surpassed all our expectations and targets. We are now taking on five new people and moving to a much bigger unit to keep pace with demand. Our workload and order book keep increasing all the time, which is a great position to be in.
“We’re very grateful to Sunderland City Council for the help we’ve received from them, it is very valuable knowing you’ve got support there when you’re new to running your own business and growing so quickly too.”
Coun Harry Trueman, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “TaylorHood Metalworks is a great example of a business which came to being when its founders decided to try their hand at entrepreneurship.
“They are now running a rapidly- growing and successful metalwork company, and are playing an important role in helping to boost Sunderland’s economy by creating jobs for local people.”
Our workload and order book keep increasing all the time, which is a great position to be in
