Washington firm expects success from expansion

Mar 16 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

Mrs Walker, said: “This expansion and recruitment of new employees will help the company meet aggressive growth targets we have set ourselves for the next three years.

“We are a global company with customers and distributors in America, Australia, South Africa, Europe and the Far and Middle East. Our determination and drive for the business to succeed and grow is very much behind the expansion project.”

Walker Filtration, which manufactures more than 770,000 items a year from 5,400 product lines, has been helped by the Tyne and Wear Development Company, as well as One North East and other partners.

One North East director of business and industry, Ian Williams, said: “Walker Filtration is an ambitious company that has performed exceptionally well since it was formed in the early 1980s.

“Management at the factory is very enthusiastic about growing the company and invested heavily in the past without grant assistance. I am pleased that One North East has been able to contribute to this project and help secure the continued success of the business.”

Alma Harrison from Tyne and Wear Development Company, said: “One North East’s investment paves the way for Walker Filtration to extend its share of the market and create new jobs on Tyneside. This is excellent news for manufacturing in the region and will help an innovative company to achieve long-term success.

“We’ve been working with the company since the middle of last year through the strategic account management programme. We were able to introduce them to One North East and other sources of support around the region and are delighted with the outcome.”

Walker, which now employs 130 staff, has seen sales rise by 58% in the last three years. The ONE funding is part of the agency’s Real Help for Businesses Now campaign, which is being supported by The Journal, to highlight measures being taken to help regional businesses prosper and survive during the recession.

For guidance on using the region’s range of business support, contact Business Link on: 0845 6009006 or go to www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast