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Three near completion business expansions bring 250 new jobs to Sunderland

Lear, TRW and Expert Tooling factory extensions near completion to bring 250 new jobs to Sunderland

Three major business expansions within yards of each other in Sunderland are coming to fruition with a combined total of more than 250 new jobs for the city.

Lear Corporation, TRW and Expert Tooling and Automation, which each operate in the automotive supply sector, all began work last year to increase the size of their facilities at Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate with advice and support from Sunderland City Council.

Foam seating supplier Lear Corporation is creating more than 100 jobs with a 3,500sq m extension which will allow it to double production to more than 600,000 car seats annually.

The US company moved into Rainton Bridge in 2011, its first site in the UK, following negotiations with Sunderland City Council.

The Sunderland plant currently supplies foam seating to Nissan for Qashqai models manufactured in the city and also services Jaguar Landrover. Once the extension is completed in the summer, Lear’s capacity will increase by over 300,000 car seats per year, taking its total capacity to over 600,000 per year.

The facility, which currently employs 420 people, will add 100 posts over the next two years as production is increased to meet demand.

Neighbour TRW has received assistance from Sunderland City Council and £1.95 million from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), to double its factory floor space. The extension is due to be completed later this year and will create a further 130 jobs, with recruitment starting in the second half of this year.

TRW currently employs almost 200 people making advanced belt-driven and column-drive automotive steering systems, which reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions. The entire Sunderland production is exported and TRW is experiencing strong demand from Europe and China.

Expert Tooling is preparing to move into its new facility in May/June. The company designs and manufactures equipment for companies that make products ranging from automotive components to aero engines. It counts Nissan, Rolls Royce, Jaguar Landrover and neighbouring TRW among its clients.

The new factory, which triples assembly space to 30,000sq ft, will lead to the creation of 25 new posts, half of which have already been filled.

Operations director, Dave Bartell, said: “We now have just over 50 permanent staff and we also flex up and down with contractors depending on the workload. We have started the process to fill the new posts but we physically haven’t got the space to start them until the new extension opens.

“The new factory will take us to the next level of how we’re perceived as well as allowing us to build more complicated equipment. It’s a prominent position and is within our remit of being local for our existing workforce. We are trying to keep everything we do within Sunderland if we can, and if not, within the North East – our expansion, recruitment, apprentice training and graduate placements through Sunderland University. That’s very important to us.

“Sunderland City Council has been extremely helpful. We have a dedicated business advisor who helps with day to day needs, as well as the bigger picture in terms of funding and any grants that are available.”

Cllr Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland is a national – and international – force in the automotive sector and the expansions now approaching completion at the council’s Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate demonstrate how important this industry is to our local economy.

“TRW, Lear and Expert Tooling chose Sunderland as a location based on the city’s strength and depth in this sector and the excellent workforce we have locally. We have been proud to help, support and advise on their growth.

“This is a sector that is continuing to expand in the city, thanks to our strong supply chain, excellent location and logistics and the groundbreaking work taking place in the field of electric and environmentally-friendly vehicles. The City Council is keen to work with other automotive businesses seeking support to expand in Sunderland and businesses looking for a new base for their automotive operations.”