News Article
An engineering and plastics company has expanded and broken into new markets thanks to a vital £60,000 grant.
Sunderland-based Armour Plastics, which makes parts and equipment for the sanitary ware and vacuum forming industry*, has been able to access new business opportunities and take on extra staff thanks to One North East.
The regional development agency awarded the engineering division of the company, based at Pattinson Industrial Estate in Washington, the Selective Finance for Investment (SFI) grant to buy state of the art machinery complete with integrated computer modelling facilities, for the production of a new generation of high tech mould parts.
It has also invested in an extensive virtual learning package to train employees, improving their skills and making the company more competitive.
Sean Mulloy, managing director of Armour Plastics, said: “The £60,000 grant we were awarded enabled us to buy state-of-the-art machinery, complete with an extensive software package, to provide our staff with more up to date training.
“Basically, instead of all manual based work, they learn a lot of the skills they need virtually.
“This has enabled the company to access new markets, and as a result we have done business with new clients. It also means we can provide more technical based service for our clients.”
Armour Plastics opened in the early 1970s and now has customers around the world. It makes everything from Acrylic baths to aluminium moulds, ovens and equipment trimmers. It employs 60 people between its two Wearside sites.
Ian Williams, Head of Business, Investment and Finance at One North East, said: “Armour Plastics has been a prominent company on Wearside for more than 30 years, and in that time has established a formidable reputation as being one of the leading companies in its field.
“It is a great example of a company that has its roots firmly in the region.
“I am delighted the agency has been able to support Armour Plastics with a grant, which it used to buy equipment to improve the skills of staff, gaining access a broader range of business opportunities.”
The expansion has so far led to a further four staff being taken on, and the company expects more employment opportunities will be created in the near future.
Sean Mulloy added: “This grant was vital to the long term future of the company.
“The purchase of the new machinery means our working environment is now much more modern, and the training delivered to staff is a lot more up to date.
“With the advances made internally, we have certainly been able to access new markets, creating a wider range of business opportunities.
“The company is certainly moving the right direction, and this is thanks in part to the help we received from One North East.”
*Vacuum forming involves the heating of plastics and Acrylic over a mould, and then when the heat is soft, the mould is then used to form a seal. The centre of a mould then has a vacuum applied to it to remove the air. Once the product has cooled, the material hardens to permanently take on the shape of the mould.
For more information please contact: Leanne English, press office, One North East, on Tel: (0191) 2296738 or email:
Leanne.English@onenortheast.co.uk
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