Member Article

Viztek reveals plans to bring manufacturing to Sunderland

Safety paving company Viztek has announced plans to create a new factory, enabling it to bring its manufacturing into the region.

The company supplies and installs tactile paving tiles, which are used on footpaths, stairs and train station platforms to help pedestrians with sight problems to walk safely.

Currently, products are manufactured in Hull as part of a joint venture Viztek has with G-Tech but managing director Chris Elliott is keen to start making the specialist tiles in Sunderland.

He said: “I’d like to open our own factory in Sunderland within the next year to eighteen months. There are two other companies making similar products and we can see improvements to be made.

Chris started the North East BIC-based business after working for another company in the sector, where he realised there were areas where the products could be improved.

He continued: “We have a number of unique innovations that no one else is doing. Safety is critical on the railways and we have listened to passenger groups. Anything that can improve safety is hugely important.

“We were very hands-on designing our own tiles. It took us a few months of constantly testing different mixes until we got it right, with uniform colour and thickness. It was all about attention to detail.”

Viztek has doubled its turnover year-on-year since opening in June 2013 and is now on course for revenues of £320k by the end of its current financial year.

Sunderland City Council leader, Councillor Paul Watson, said: “Viztek is a young and ambitious company that has achieved a phenomenal growth arc in just a couple of years.

“We’re delighted the company is planning to start manufacturing its products in Sunderland in the future, which will create more jobs for the city. We look forward to supporting Viztek as it continues to expand.”