French automotive firm moves into East Boldon manufacturing park creating over 100 jobs

The frame of the first factory on a new East Boldon development is being built after French car parts manufacturer SNOP announced it is relocating to the region’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

The move is creating more than 100 new jobs, and SNOP has committed to move its team to a £15m manufacturing plant on the IAMP, a nationally significant development site close to Nissan, that is expected to become home to more than 7,000 jobs.

The company - which makes components for the likes of Peugeot, Audi, Renault, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Seat and Nissan - will be the first to relocate to IAMP.

SNOP will take more than 17 acres of the first phase of IAMP, opening a 235,000 sq ft state-of-the-art factory and office space, with the potential to expand to 331,000 sq ft.

Plant director at SNOP UK, David Brander, said: “We are delighted to be the first business to make the International Advanced Manufacturing Park our home.

“Sunderland and South Tyneside have much to offer to manufacturing businesses like ours.

“We know that we can enjoy direct access to a fantastic talent pool, as well as benefiting from the other excellent assets this site offers, including outstanding connectivity to road, sea, air and rail links.”   SNOP will relocate from its existing premises nearby, taking on more people and increasing its floorspace.

With the additional capacity created, the company expects to see turnover grow from 54m Euros to 90m, with an additional 100-150 jobs created in the process, on top of the firm’s existing 250-strong team.

Leader of Sunderland City Council, Graeme Miller, also commented: “We are delighted to see SNOP choose the IAMP as its new base and to see such visible signs of progress on the site, with the frame now filling the sky.

“We are incredibly proud to have such a strong automotive sector in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and SNOP’s decision to invest here demonstrates the level of confidence that they have in the North East.

“It’s a hugely significant step forward for IAMP, and we are certain this is the first of a number of exciting developments on this special site.”

SNOP is investing more than £15m in the new building and also in new machinery. It is working with Silverstone Building Consultancy to manage the construction project, with the building expected to fully handed-over in May 2019.

IAMP One covers 150 acres and will deliver 1.6m sq ft of advanced manufacturing and industrial space. The second phase will provide an additional 2.6m sq ft.

UK Government have pledged £42m from the Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards infrastructure including new roads, bridges and environmental enhancements to support the development.