Washington based engineers planning expansion

Jun 25 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

AN engineering business has just doubled its revenues and is now looking at fresh expansion after winning a £22,500 grant.

DR Hydraulics and Engineering Ltd, of Washington, is embarking on a £70,000 project that will see it take over a new site next to its Washington base, buy new equipment and create four full-time jobs and one part-time role.

This is a big expansion for the company, which has gone from strength to strength since it was set up in 2005 by managing director Mark Dunville and director of engineering Dan Robson.

Mr Dunville said: “We are keen to grow the business but want to keep it at a level where we can maintain a hands-on role. By expanding the company in this way, and buying new machinery, we will be able to take on larger pieces of work and increase our customer base.

“The business is still relatively new, but we have established a good reputation for delivery in a short space of time and this expansion will help us cement our status within the hydraulics industry.”

One North East awarded a Grant for Business Investment of £22,500 to the company, which manufactures and repairs hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders as well as carrying out precision engineering contracts.

ONE director of business and industry Ian Williams said: “I’m pleased this project will help DR Hydraulics continue to develop its Washington operation and open up the opportunity to bid for larger, high-value contracts.

“The potential market for hydraulic repair and fabrication is huge, given that most manufacturers use some form of hydraulic machinery and I hope that this investment from One North East helps establish DR’s credentials as a genuine regional success story.”

The project will see DR Hydraulics take on a welder, three machinists and a part-time administrator.

Dan Robson, DR Hydraulics’ technical director, said: “The expansion of the company crowns a great year, in which we successfully achieved full accreditation to the New ISO 2008 standard.”

The Grant for Business Investment is part of Solutions for Business, the Government’s package of publicly-funded support products offering help to companies to start, grow and succeed. Solutions for Business makes it easier for companies to get the advice and assistance that they need.

For further information visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast  or tel. 0845 600 9006.