Partner Article

Jobs created as Osborne expands

A North East manufacturer is to create up to 45 new jobs to meet growing global customer demand for its specialist components.

Northumberland’s Osborne Engineering Limited (OEL), which currently employs around 125 staff, is bolstering its workforce to meet an increasing demand for its bespoke bearings and gas turbine components from clients in the oil and gas, wind power and power generation industries.

As part of its growth plans, the company will extend its existing facility at North Nelson Industrial Estate in Cramlington and increase its CNC machining and manufacturing capabilities.

This expansion project is supported by a £350,000 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) from One North East which will also assist in the creation of the new roles including CNC machinists, design engineers and inspection and support staff.

OEL managing director Shukri Benfaied said “This is a continuation of our investment and growth programme which began in 2004 and saw the workforce increase from 40 to more than 120 staff. This growth is driven by product development and penetration of export markets in Europe, Japan and India.

“Through an investment of over £2m in building and machinery and the recruitment of an additional 45 staff, this will enable us to continue to drive our export growth.”

Extending the premises will also prevent valuable work from being lost to competitors in Europe and free up more space to bolster other services including a design and engineering department, dedicated repair cell and state-of-the-art training facility.

Ian Williams, One North East’s director of business and industry, said: “The oil and gas and wind power industries are important growth sectors for the North East economy, and One North East is pleased to support innovative firms such as Osborne Engineering in their bid to harness these opportunities and support their own development.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .