BMS Electrical

Sunderland-based electrical engineering firm boosts capacity to meet demand

A growing Sunderland electrical engineering company has taken on extra manufacturing space and has plans to create more jobs to keep up with increased demand from customers.

BMS Electrical Services has expanded into a second unit at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland, five years after moving into the Wearfield site.

The company designs, manufactures, installs and commissions electrical process systems for a huge range of industries from power and water to food and drink, and counts North East names such as Greggs PLC and Port of Tyne Authority among its customers.

BMS recently increased staff numbers to 10, including appointing a new business development manager, and plans to create more jobs in the New Year. The firm’s turnover has increased from almost £800,000 in 2011/12 to £1.4m in 2012/13.

Director Gary Samuels said: “We moved into a second unit because we required additional manufacturing capacity and a larger shop floor area.

“The majority of our work and customers are mainly North East based although we do work nationally and occasionally internationally when the need arises. However, we are attempting to become a stronger business within the North-East region.’’

The company has always been a Sunderland based firm and taking on further space at the BIC emphasises their commitment to the area.

The City Council has worked with BMS since it started up and is continuing to help the business as it expands into new premises.

Gary Samuels found the experience of securing help from the council much more straightforward than the time consuming paperwork he faced when initially looking at support from other organisations when BMS first started.

“To be honest, if you run a small business, you don’t have the time to spend hours and hours identifying business development support,” he said.

“Sunderland Council was totally different. They have a grasp of what you want and they were really easy to talk to.”

He sees BMS’s long term future being based in Sunderland, thanks to the support and advice available, and the central location close to large urban areas like Teesside and Newcastle.

Sunderland City Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Harry Trueman, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help a fast-growing business like BMS.

“As BMS discovered, we aim to be as user-friendly as possible. Our staff recognise that applicants need to focus on running their businesses and winning new orders, rather than filling in endless forms. This is a city with which it is as easy as possible to do business. It’s great news that BMS is committing to a long-term future in Sunderland as it grows.”

Our Partners