New contract to help Sunderland-based Nice Network double jobs and turnover

Telecommunications company Nice Network Ltd is creating jobs on the back of a new deal with with worktop and high-pressure laminate producer Formica Group.

The Sunderland-based firm currently employs a team of 24 but plans to take on another 24 staff over the next 12 months.

Nice Network also expects its turnover of £2.8m to almost double during that period, topping £4m by this time next year.

The deal with Formica will see the business supplying mobile devices from global telecoms giant Vodafone. Formica has more than 1,000 staff across Europe, including a 500-strong workforce in the North East.

Adrienne Bishop, Formica Group’s European procurement category manager, said: “Historically we’ve worked with Vodafone directly, however this year we decided to move to a third party.

“We wanted a supplier hungry to impress us with new ideas and Nice Network Ltd did exactly that.”

Mike Mead, corporate account director at Nice Network, said: “We’ve been keen to work with Formica Group for many years.

“Two years ago, when the account was being re-tendered, we narrowly missed out with the company preferring a deal with Vodafone.”

Speaking further, Mike called the Formica contract “a major coup”, adding: “I am thrilled that we have been able to demonstrate real added value to the company.”