Member Article

Egger UK opens new training academy

Northumberland’s largest manufacturing employer – Egger UK – has opened a new engineering facility and training academy at its site in Hexham.

The state of the art building was officially opened by Hexham MP Guy Opperman and Michael Egger, co-owner of the family business, at an event attended by a number of the company’s 40 apprentices, employees and civic leaders.

With 17 manufacturing sites in seven European countries, the Egger group has more than 7,000 employees and a £2 billion turnover. Hexham was the Austrian company’s first foreign investment and, 30 years later, it remains a key part of the group’s operation.

Over the last six years, Egger UK has invested more than £200 million at Hexham, creating one of the world’s most advanced and environmentally-friendly wood panel manufacturing sites. It employs more than 550 people, with a further 1,500 or so employed locally throughout the supply chain.

It has a 50 percent market share in the UK – with its chipboard and laminate products being used in the furniture, interior design and construction sectors. Egger products are found in everyday life – featuring as cupboards and doors in kitchens, wardrobes and units in bedrooms, desks and drawers in offices, furniture and wall panelling in hotels, counters and shelving in shops and structural flooring in the house-building industry.

Group co-owner Michael Egger said: “Hexham and the UK have always had a personal attachment for me as the company’s first foreign production investment outside of our home country of Austria.

“Part of the Egger business philosophy is reinvestment into the business, not just in production facilities but into our people and the development of the next generation.

“We have always looked to recruit, train and develop local talent and retain these employees over the long term. By retaining our employees we have a wealth of knowledge and talent that benefits not only the company but our suppliers and customers too. Having competent, career-focused people is of upmost importance to us because of the specialist nature of our business.

“The Academy will play an important role in supporting many future trainees and employees and these new facilities will be a key part of the continuing development of our business here in the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by publicrelations consultancy.com .