Express extension up and running
The first phase of an ambitious £3.2 million expansion drive – creating new investment, jobs and business in the North East - has been successfully completed by Express Engineering.The Team Valley based operation has begun manufacturing in the 18,000 square foot extension of its 58,000 square foot site, with 20 retrained staff producing components, many of them for new clients.
The new facility, together with a £550,000 Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) grant from regional development agency One North East, has allowed the company to invest in the latest technology machinery, including large vertical lathes, horizontal machining centres and automated welding machines.
More equipment is scheduled to come on stream later in the year, once the new electricity sub station which Express is having built is completed and commissioned.
The initiative provides capacity for a 50% increase in turnover, enabling the production of larger, more complex precision components. When complete it will create about 40 new posts within the business, of which 10 have so far been filled.
As one of the UK’s leading contract manufacturing companies, providing high precision-machined components and assemblies to international clients in the aerospace, defence and oil and gas sectors, Express Engineering is making the investment to help secure more contracts in these areas, as well as developing opportunities in other markets including the region’s renewable energy potential.
Managing director, Nigel Davison, said: “We have enjoyed an extremely successful couple of years and despite the recent economic downturn we remain optimistic about the mid to longer term future. This project ensures that as the market place improves we will be perfectly placed to take advantage of the new opportunities out there, cre
