A Northumberland engineering firm is to create around 30 jobs on the back of a grant to boost its growth.
Cramlington’s Rapid UK Engineering Services, a precision component and assemblies specialist, has quadrupled its capacity to meet rising customer demand with the support of a £192,000 grant from the North of Tyne Growth Fund.
The company, which was founded 12 years ago, needed to meet demand from a global oil and gas firm, and used the Growth Fund grant to help it move from a 5,900 sq ft single-storey unit in Bedlington to a 14,500 sq ft two-storey unit in Cramlington.
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The plan will create at least 27 new jobs in the process, with hopes that figure will rise.
Works manager Michael Lawson said: “We were challenged to increase from £1.1m to £4m turnover this coming financial year, by adding two more machines and a permanent night shift, bringing us to 2,112 manufacturing hours a week.
“This project will enable us to exceed that – we have bought eight machines and are on target to create more than 30 new jobs, bringing our direct staff to over 45. We’ll then have capacity for 2,688 hours per week, so with this infrastructure we should be able to reach £5.5m turnover in the next couple of years.”
The company said it was now well-placed to respond to increasing demand caused by market changes.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “This is what it’s all about: creating new jobs and supporting local businesses. We’re glad we could help Rapid UK Engineering - and wish them well for the future.”
Mike Baker, senior project manager of the North of Tyne Growth Fund, added: “The team at Rapid UK Engineering Services have worked so hard to quadruple their capacity with a new building and huge increase in staff alongside maintaining their existing operations – it’s no mean feat.
“We are delighted for them and look forward to seeing them go from strength to strength with their enhanced infrastructure. We invite companies that have similar ambitions to get in touch to see how we can support your capital investment projects.”
More information on the Growth Fund can be found at www.northoftynegrowthfund.co.uk, or by ringing 0191 716 1007 or 07443 230 104 or emailing northoftynegrowthfund@weareumi.co.uk.
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