Sunderland manufacturing firm creates jobs with £500,000 investment

A Sunderland manufacturing company has invested more than £500,000 in new technology after winning new export contracts.

Argus Powerbend is also recruiting an additional ten staff to support their new business stream.

The tube manipulation and fabrication company lists companies such as Caterpillar, JCB, John Deere and Johnson Controls among their clients.

Through its customer Johnson Controls, Argus supplies tubular components to the Nissan Leaf and Invitation models currently being produced at the Nissan Sunderland plant.

Based at Pennywell Industrial Estate, Argus works with customers across Europe, Brazil and India.

Its end products include hydraulic pipelines, car seat components, medical equipment and structural parts for tractors, trucks and construction machines.

Through John Deere, Argus has won new contracts with Dura Automotive Systems in Germany, which manufactures joysticks and levers for forestry machinery, Argus is using its laser-cutting expertise to produce the tubular sections required for these complex components.

Johan Swanepoel, quality engineering director at Argus Powerbend, said: “January and February were exceptionally good, and it has been even busier in March and April.

“We have secured new orders from customers in addition to our existing contracts.

“This is excellent news and means that we are now looking to expand our current workforce to meet the increased demand.”

Established in 1978 as Dunlop Powerbend, the company was purchased by an internal management team in 2005, changing its name to Argus Powerbend in 2008.

It has been advised and assisted by Sunderland City Council for a number of years.

Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council said: “Argus is a great example of why this region leads the UK in exports.

“The company’s manufacturing expertise and its ability to win new contracts including Brazil and India has seen Argus’ customer base grow.

“Argus is now working with world-leading companies and bringing new investment and jobs to Sunderland.

“We’re delighted to be able to support Argus in its plans for the future.”

Mr Swanepoel said that Rob Bird, the company’s managing director based at the head office in Salisbury, has been fully supportive of the major investment in equipment at Sunderland.

He said: “The City Council Business Investment team has been very supportive.

“They’ve helped us with property and lease issues over the years, identifying possible new premises for us, and supported us in helping to bring new investment to the company. “

“The workforce here is incredible.

“During 2008 when we were all feeling the pain of recession, the workforce fully supported the management team, contributing with a three day working week to protect core skills throughout the factory and offices.

“We have grown year on year since then through a big export drive and winning customers such as Caterpillar Brazil, JCB and Nissan replacement models.”

“Rob Bird has actively taken our business forward. This positive approach has been invaluable.

“We aspire to be the preferred supplier to our key customers and aim to do this by focusing on the customers’ needs through production efficiency, global sourcing, training and most importantly enjoying the job.”