News Article
A Hartlepool manufacturer is looking to expand its workforce in the town less than a year after its successful move to one of the Tees Valley’s fastest developing business parks.
Quality Roofing Systems (QRS), which manufactures bespoke roofing for conservatories, has already increased its workforce number from 30 to 43 since its move to Queens Meadow Business Park in Hartlepool in March 2005. It is aiming to increase this by recruiting a further 10 employees over the next thee months.
The new jobs will come in a wide range of areas including AutoCAD, customer liaison and design staff, with recruitment beginning immediately. Since investing in Hartlepool, much of the company’s successful sales have been in the south of England, but it is specifically targeting the North East for growth in 2006 and is currently looking at partnering options with local conservatory suppliers so it can extend its operations in the region.
QRS, which was previously based at Seamer near Stokesley in North Yorkshire, invested over £900,000 in the move to its new 16,000 sq ft premises at Queens Meadow Business Park.
The company is currently manufacturing and supplying around 50 conservatory roofs a week to a variety of specialist trade customers across the UK. The nationwide demand for its products, particularly its unique roofing brand, Allure, a highly durable aluminium conservatory roof structure for which it holds the exclusive UK supply license, is why QRS has expanded to larger premises.
QRS worked closely with Tees Valley Regeneration, Hartlepool Borough Council and One North East before deciding Queens Meadow was the right location for its future development. In addition to the wide range of help and support provided by the three agencies along the way, One North East also provided an RSA (Regional Selective Assistance) grant to help generate the investment.
One North East, Tees Valley Regeneration, Hartlepool Borough Council and the Tees Valley Partnership are working together to develop and promote Queens Meadow, which is a flagship 140-acre new business park for Hartlepool located on the A689 to the south of the town centre.
David Buttery, Managing Director of Quality Roofing Systems, said: “The combination of the move and the need to attract new staff to help grow the company has meant we have been very active in recruiting local people since we moved to Hartlepool. Their skill and commitment has been vital in helping us grow and we are looking forward to continuing this growth throughout 2006.”
John Leer, Strategic Investment Manager with Tees Valley Regeneration, said: “We are keen to attract quality businesses like QRS to the Queens Meadow site as it has the facilities and infrastructure to rank with anything elsewhere in the country.”
Mayor of Hartlepool Stuart Drummond said: “A key part of the Council’s long-term strategy for growth is working with our partners to generate investment from successful private companies like QRS. It is great news that it is continuing to expand here in Hartlepool as it approaches its first anniversary in the town.”
John Holmes, Director of Regeneration and Tourism with One North East, said: “Queens Meadow is a key site for Hartlepool and the wider North East region. The interest that we have seen already from developers and businesses like QRS shows that people are keen to invest in the North East when we can provide them with a high quality platform to do so.”
Martin Simpson, Partnership Manager with the Tees Valley Partnership, said: “I am delighted that QRS has made such a positive impact during its first year in the Tees Valley and I am convinced that Queens Meadow will become home to many more success stories like it as the site continues to develop.”
Ends.
For further information please contact Chris Taylor at DTW on 01287 610 404 or Alison Laggan, press office at One North East on 0191 229 6894.
Editors Notes:
Tees Valley Regeneration (www.teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk) is the largest urban generation company in the UK. In 2003, it merged with the area’s inward investment arm – the Tees Valley Development Company (TVDC). The team has had a highly successful track record and has spearheaded the creation of over 10,000 jobs and attracted over £270 million of inward investment.
It is working in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council to market the Queens Meadow site to businesses and developers throughout the UK. One North East, which owns the Queens Meadow site, is providing funding for a wide range of activity and development on the site, which it has identified as one of nine strategic sites throughout North East England. The Tees Valley Partnership manages this funding programme, which is the local strategic area partnership for the Tees Valley.
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