Member Article

Hartlepool engineering firm to double workforce with Enterprise Zone expansion

There’s more jobs joy for Hartlepool after advanced engineering company Applus RTD UK Ltd announced plans to double its workforce.

The company, which specialises in inspection and testing solutions for the oil, gas and power sectors, recently moved into new 4,500 sq ft premises at the town’s Queens Meadow Business Park - one of 12 Enterprise Zones in the Tees Valley.

The move into the new Rivergreen Business Centre unit at Queens Meadow will enable the company to expand as it aims to increase its workforce at its Hartlepool site from 11 to 24.

It brings the total number of jobs being created at Queens Meadow to almost 200 since it was granted Enterprise Zone status in 2013.

Applus employs over 300 people in total throughout the UK, and also has operations in Falkirk, Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth.

Stuart Gilfillan, manager of the Hartlepool operation, said: “When we were looking for bigger premises to expand the business in the North-East, Queens Meadow ticked all the boxes for us.

“The Rivergreen units are moden, there is plenty of car parking, there is easy access to the A19 and, of course, we are entitled to the Enterprise Zone incentives which will help us to grow the business during challenging economic times.”

Queens Meadow Business Park is one of eight key sites identified in the Hartlepool Vision - Hartlepool Council’s blueprint to spark regeneration, create jobs and ensure the future prosperity of the town.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Couincil, said: “This is excellent news and a further boost for Queens Meadow Business Park which is really thriving at the moment.

“The Enterprise Zones offer tremendous incentives to companies and I’m delighted that Applus RTD UK Ltd has chosen Hartlepool to expand its North-East presence and create vital new jobs in the process.”

Neil Kenley, Director of Business Investment at Tees Valley Unlimited - the Local Enterprise Partnership for the Tees Valley, added: “Queens Meadow is a key piece of the jigsaw to improve the economy in the Tees Valley and it is very pleasing to see that Applus has joined the many other companies that are benefiting from the Enterprise Zone framework.”

Peter Candler, Managing Director of Rivergreen Developments plc who owns the unit occupied by Applus, said: “The Rivergreen Business Centre at Queens Meadow was conceived as a high-quality development that would provide first-class workspace for ambitious and forward-thinking companies and Applus fits that profile perfectly.”

Simon Parsons, Station Director at Hartlepool Power Station, performed the official opening and praised Applus for its high level of service and professionalism . He also complimented the company for investing in Hartlepool and the North-East.

A £3 million Government project to provide 2,000sq metres of new business workshop space also recently got under way at Queens Meadow.

For further information about Enterprise Zones contact Hartlepool Council on (01429) 523503.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steve Hilton .