Member Article

Glassware manufacturer re-establishes Sunderland’s industry pedigree

A niche glassware manufacturer says it wants to put Sunderland back on the map in the glass making sector as it launches.

Crystal and glassware specialists Dunelm Glass are aiming to create jobs as they launch their new division, Dunelm Scientific.

The Houghton-le-Spring-based firm will manufacture specialist products to be used in torches and spray chambers, as well as producing laboratory equipment.

Dunelm group of business started out in 1980 as a manufacturer of glass equipment and later concentrated on producing awards for major firms like McDonalds, Barclays and Facebook.

Ritchie Wilson, whose father founded Dunelm before handing over the reins to his son due to ill health eight years ago, said: “We’re delighted to be stepping up our manufacturing capabilities once more through the launch of the new venture and we believe there is a real opportunity to grow the business on the back of our very specialist skillset and world-leading expertise.”

Alongside managing director Ritchie Wilson, Dunelm Scientific is led by sales director Chris Smith and technical director Neil Davison.

The firm, which has already added several new clients including Northumbrian Water and Derwentside Environmental Testing Services (DETS), is now in the process of a recruitment drive.

Having welcomed former Dunelm apprentice Neil Davison back to the company after a seven year stint working in the industry in Canada, it has also added three new staff including a glassblower to its team.

The firm are also looking for an apprentice glassblower and is working with the North East Chambers of Commerce to do so.

Ritchie Wilson added: “What we do is particularly high-end and niche and so we have an extremely experienced team of technical glassblowers in our ranks.

“Glassblowing is a skill in short supply and so we are looking to help bridge the skills gap through an apprenticeship and help put Sunderland back on the map in the glass making sector, which dates back to AD674 in this part of the world.”

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