A second plant for a timber frame manufacturer will give it a four-fold increase in production capability and coverage of the whole UK market.
Robertson Timberkit Ltd (RTK), have completed theer £5 million manufacturing plant with a capacity of 345,000 sq ft (32,000 sq m) plus offices at Fox Cover Enterprise Park at Seaham, County Durham.
The company already has a timber frame production facility at Elgin in Scotland, where it supplies timber frame structures throughout Scotland and England to Persimmon Homes, Lovell Partnership Housing, Belway, Fairclough Homes, David McLean to name but a few.
Projected turnover for RTK is in excess for £40 million by the end of 2005. RTK is part of the Robertson Group. Bill Robertson, executive chairman, Robertson Group, said: "We have made a considerable investment in this latest production facility, because we are confident of further growth in the market. We believe that RTK will become a major force in the growing UK timber frame industry."
Building of the County Durham plant was completed in July, and production will has started. One of the first orders to fulfil is a £1.1 million order - RTK's biggest ever for a single building - to supply and erect timber frames for a six-storey development of luxury apartments for David McLean Homes in Manchester.
Paul Smollett, commercial manager, David McLean Homes, which is developing the £11.5 million scheme in Manchester, said: "We recognise that the speed of construction provided by timber frame will provide us with considerable benefits on a project of this size, and it will also provide our clients with environmentally friendly homes for the future. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with RTK."
RTK has received a £200,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from regional development agency One NorthEast towards the £5 million development.
"There was no difficulty in choosing Seaham for a base for this expansion. Our move into North-East England in recent years has met with significant success, by different parts of the group," added Mr Robertson. "We have had considerable assistance from One NorthEast, Easington District Council and County Durham Development Company."
Coun Jeff Gray, chairman, Easington District Council, said: "We are delighted to welcome Robertson Timberkit to the District of Easington. Their decision to locate in Seaham is a vote of confidence in East Durham, as an ideal place to invest and develop business. I am sure their confidence will be repaid, and we look forward to working with them in the future."
John Elliott, business development executive at County Durham Development Company, said: "This is the first development on the new site at Fox Cover, which has Enterprise Zone status until 2005. It is bringing much needed manufacturing jobs to the area."
Ken Greenfield, chief executive, East Durham Development Agency, said: "This represents a major investment for East Durham, and highlights that it is a good place to bring business. It is also bringing another manufacturer into East Durham who will be able to take advantage of the skilled workforce that is available locally."
The Fox Cover Enterprise Park is part of the former Fox Cover Colliery, which has had £2.4 million restoration funding from the National Coalfields Programme, managed by English Partnerships. Euan Hall, divisional director for EP, said: "We are delighted that the Fox Cover development has proved to be a catalyst for the creation of some 40 new jobs for the area."