An award-winning decontamination equipment maker is creating 40 jobs with the opening of a new “super centre” on Teesside.
South Shields-based SMH Products is investing £2.5m in the new centre, a converted former HMRC building on Skippers Lane in Middlesbrough.
It will hold the majority of SMH’s UK stock which will be transported to one of the company’s UK distribution centres or directly to the end customer.
The new Teesside-based roles will include warehouse operators, field engineers, training specialists and administration support staff as well as call centre staff who will provide technical support and advice on SMH’s range of products.
The new Teesside recruits will take total staff numbers at the company to 250, although this could rise by a further 100 if planned acquisitions in the pipeline are completed. SMH is in talks with several buy-out targets, including distribution specialists in Holland, the UK and Belgium.
Oliver Smith, chief financial officer at SMH Products, said: “The Teesside super centre is a vital part of our growth plans. We’re looking to recruit now and get people in position as soon as possible.
“Group turnover is about £38m but we’re hoping to increase this to £54m next year.
“In terms of the acquisitions we can’t say too much about them but we are hoping to complete as many as four or five by the end of this year.”
SMH has grown rapidly in recent years by expanding its geographical footprint and product portfolio.
Originally it specialised predominantly in the supply of decontamination and safety equipment for asbestos removal but has now diversified into other sectors, including nuclear, petrochemical and food safety, petrochemical and fire safety. Now it aims to break into new export markets and increase its range of in-house manufactured products as it looks to grow turnover to £100m in five years. Germany, Italy and Switzerland are targets in Europe, whiler further afield the compoany is eyeing South America, the Middle East and Far East.
Headquartered in South Shields, SMH has several UK branches including Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow and Nottingham as well as overseas depots in France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2013, the company was named the winner of the Fastest 50 Awards which recognise the achievements of profit-making private North-east firms that demonstrate rapid growth in turnover.
No comments:
Post a Comment