Member Article

SCA creates new jobs for Northumberland

A tissue manufacturer has created more than a dozen jobs and is expanding its apprentice scheme, after switching its European production to Prudhoe.

SCA Hygiene Products has made a multi-million investment in it’s production line, enabling the company to produce Tork zigzag-folding paper towels in the UK for the first time. This will provide a massive boost to the firm’s supply chain.

Tony Richards, who has responsibility for the Prudhoe factory and site, said: “We are delighted that Prudhoe Mill has won this investment which helps to provide new employment, safeguards existing jobs and gives support to the local economy.

“This project is the latest in a long line of key investments designed to improve the performance of our business, deliver significant environmental improvements and ensure that we remain on track to achieving a long-term, sustainable future for the mill.”

The company has also recently established a Graduate Accelerator programme, a scheme which guides engineering graduates through a two year development programme.

Mr Richards continued: “Coupled with our recruitment of 11 new operations staff, internships for three university students – who are working at Prudhoe outside of term time – and our long-standing apprenticeship programme, we are confident that our investment in our people as well as new production equipment will secure our future in Prudhoe.”

The firm has also made further investments in a new de-inking plant to help them meet environmental targets. The technology allows then to remove ink from recycled waste paper and reuse it in the production process.

Earlier in the year SCA was named by Vince Cable as one of the UK’s top 40 manufacturing sites, having being nominated by Hexham MP Guy Opperman.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .