Member Article

£22.5m Japanese investment for Sunderland

Freight and customs specialists Vantec Europe have announced a £22.5m investment in Sunderland, which will create 230 jobs by 2015.

The Japanese company aim to expand global automotive logistics following a £2.7m RGF package, and this move represents the first Enterprise Zone development to get underway in the UK.

Sunderland City Council have worked closely with Vantec on the RGF application, and the plans for expansion into 421,000 sq ft of building at Turbine Business Park.

Akira Koyama, President of Vantec Corporation, said: “We are delighted to be investing in Sunderland and thank the UK government for supporting the project through the Regional Growth Fund.

“We would also like to thank Sunderland City Council for all the support we have received in planning this investment in the North East.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “I’m delighted that Vantec are breaking ground on the NE Enterprise Zone, building on the success of Nissan in the area and cementing the export orientated manufacturing base of the region.

“Bringing new jobs and success to all parts of the UK is this Government’s priority, and it is a great boost to Sunderland and the NE LEP to have Vantec on its Enterprise Zone. I wish the company and everyone involved the very best of success.

Vantec provide warehousing and logistics to Nissan Sunderland, Komatsu UK, Birtley and Cummins Engines in Darlington.

The new facility will handle around 6 million plastic and metal containers holding Nissan car parts each year, received from the UK and European supply chain.

Cities Minister Greg Clark added: “It’s great news to see the first major international company signing up to the enterprise zone, and taking advantage of the huge benefits Sunderland has to offer.

“Today’s deal is just the start of inward investment into the zone that will create thousands of new jobs, safeguard the future of many others, and make the area one of the best places in Europe for new businesses to grow and prosper.

Paul Woolston, chairman of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is excellent news for Sunderland and the North East that this region is the first of the UK’s new Enterprise Zones to announce a major investment.

“I hope this is the first of many new projects we celebrate at this Enterprise Zone which, with the committed support of Government, will help to propel business growth in the North East.”

Finally, Turbine Business Park director, Jason Stowe, said: “This is obviously fantastic news for everyone concerned. Vantec Europe has a long-standing history in the North East and I’m pleased we have been able to facilitate the company’s expansion needs with our development at Turbine Business Park enabling job creation to remain here in Sunderland.

“The proposed warehouse for Vantec Europe will constitute around 50 per cent of our planned development for the scheme and we have further serviced plots available for other companies wishing to relocate to the region on a site which has excellent infrastructure and communication links.”

Pic courtesy of North News and Pictures.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .