New manufacturing centre to create 60 jobs in County Durham

One of the UK’s leading manufacturers and international distributors of bearings, power transmission and linkage products is expanding into the North East following a £2.2m investment.

Dunlop BTL, which is based in Ashford, Kent, has been awarded a £250,000 Let’s Grow Regional Growth Fund (RGF) grant to enable it to expand into the former KP crisps factory in Consett, County Durham, creating around 60 new jobs – 35 of which will be appointed in the short term.

The business also secured a commercial loan from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking to support the purchase of the new premises.

Dunlop has seen rapid growth in recent years, including significant export growth. Turnover is set to increase by over 50% with a focus on exports which will treble after the expansion.

It plans to see its new premises become its main European manufacturing and distribution centre, producing approximately 50 per cent of its products, while other items are produced in factories from around the world.

The company’s four-year plan will see it grow from 70 to more than 100 jobs with 60 staff being based at Consett by the end of 2019.

Its first employee in Consett is Gregg Ringer,of Consett, who has joined the maintenance team looking after the buildings and gardens.