A MARINE company is riding the crest of a wave after doubling in size and creating new jobs, just two years after launching a base in South Tyneside.
Extra staff have been recruited and floor space expanded at Houlder Ltd in Witney Way, Boldon Business Park.
The growth is part of a wider expansion programme by the national maritime engineering and design company, which now employs more than 100 people across the UK.
The six-strong staff at Boldon has been doubled recently, with the expansion plans welcomed by Coun Michael Clare, lead member for regeneration and economy with South Tyneside Council.
He said: “This is not only great news for Houlder, but also for the South Tyneside business community.
“Progressive business cases are a positive boost for South Tyneside, as it represents how the borough is moving in the right direction and, in turn, enhancing the local economy.”
Houlder also has bases in Aberdeen, London and Portsmouth.
Mike Burkett, newly-appointed project director at the company office in Boldon, said: “Houlder is designing, fabricating and installing equipment for the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy industries.
“Our new, larger and better equipped offices mean we’re ideally placed to both serve local clients and work with local shipyards and fabrication facilities. The future is very exciting.”
Houlder is supporting a number of marine projects, including a bespoke skidding system, which transfers 200 tonnes of cable a distance of 10m along a ship’s deck during offshore pipe laying operations, and a pair of gripper arms supporting the installation of offshore wind turbines.
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