Member Article

Plans for £100 million manufacturing plant in Northumberland underway

An International Paint Company has pledged to invest £100 million in a new high-tech facility in the North East - the biggest investment in regional manufacturing in recent years.

The announcement by AkzoNobel reinforces its commitment to UK manufacturing, and it is hoped that it will allow the company to improve its services in an effective, sustainable and innovative manner.

The new plans include a proposal to close the company’s current Prudhoe site, and rebuild a new state of the art factory within 25 miles of its current location which would open by the end of 2014.

The new facility would incorporate a range of eco technologies, including recycling and reusing waste and water, placing the company and the region on the map as a centre for sustainable manufacturing.

AkzoNobel have already made a £9 million investment earlier in the year in its plant in Felling, Tyne and Wear, including new research, design and innovation capabilities.

Now the business is set to enter a consultation period with employers, and if the plans are implemented, there will be relocation possibilities for many of the current employees.

Guy Williams Managing Director Decorative Paints UK & Ireland and AkzoNobel UK Country director said: “Our intention is to make an important step change across our business. Part of this is about ensuring that our leading brands: Dulux, Cuprinol, Hammerite and Pollycell, continue to be manufactured here.

“The proposed new world-class facility would strengthen our ties to the north-east and would allow us to be more agile and competitive,enhancing our service to our customers, while dramatically reducing our impact on the environment.”

The size of the development would also treble the North East’s manufacturing capabilities, and would provide the area with significant opportunities for the future.

Commenting on the news, Cllr Jeff Reid, Leader of Northumberland County Council said: “Northumberland County Council is delighted that after what we understand to be a detailed competitive analysis, AkzoNobel is considering a site in Northumberland for such a significant investment.”

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

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