News Article
A recycling company which employs 40 people has been saved thanks to a £100,000 lifeline.
Waste Exchanges Services (WES) in the Tees Valley was in danger of closing until One North East intervened.
The regional development agency has provided a £100,000 Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) grant, which has not only saved the company, but also enabled it to expand and take on more workers. Aftercare support from staff at One North East will help the firm with its on-going development plans.
James Donaldson, managing director at Wilton International–based WES, said:
“This grant was so crucial to our future.“The competition in this industry is very strong, and with so much business going to China, it was simply a case of expand or die for WES.
“But through working with One North East, we have been able to look at a steady expansion plan that will allow us to compete -safeguarding the jobs of 35 employees, and enabling us take on another four people as well.
“The SFI grant has enabled us to introduce new advanced recycling equipment that has also resulted in our doubling capacity.”
WES, which was opened in 1990, moved to the Wilton International site in Redcar two years ago, becoming the first non-ICI company to do so.
It recycles waste plastic into high quality products, such as flowerpots, buckets and drainpipes.
Its products are expanded across the UK, and globally to the United States, the Lebanon and France.
David Allison, Director of Business and Industry at One North East, said:
“I am delighted that the future of this company has been assured.“At a time when we are working extremely hard to bring new businesses in the area, it is vital those already established are given every chance to prosper and grow.
“By One North East working with WES, we have been able to double capacity, safeguard the jobs of 35 people and take on four new workers as well.”
For more information please contact: Leanne English, press office, One North East, on Tel: (0191) 2296738, mobile no: 07717 154278, or email:
Leanne.English@onenortheast.co.uk
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