Member Article

Cramlington forklift business creates 18 new jobs in expansion

Cramlington-based B & B Attachments is set to create 18 new jobs and expand into a 40,000 sq ft factory thanks to a £200k investment by Arch, the Development Company for Northumberland.

B&B Attachments Ltd, the leading independent supplier of forklift truck attachments in the UK, based in Nelson Park Industrial Estate, today (July 14) announced expansion of its design and manufacturing capability for brick and block fork lift truck attachments, a hire service, the generation of an additional 18 jobs, and the need for larger premises.

The growth is a response to increased customer demand both domestically and overseas and continues the expansion based on the company’s substantial experience in material handling which began more than 30 years ago with a workforce of just three.

The new posts will bring the total workforce to 64 by 2016.

A total of £650k is being invested at Cramlington in plant and machinery as well as the workforce. The new posts will be primarily technical roles including welding fabrication, engineering and apprentice positions.

B & B Attachments, operations director, John Lamberth said: “We could not have proceeded with this expansion without Arch’s support.

“The move will be a fantastic opportunity for us to take advantage of our unique position as the leader in the purpose-built forklift attachment field.

“We are proud to be a Northumberland company, employing local people and they play a huge part in our success.

“The bespoke design and manufacturing service we are offering is a great opportunity for us to grow the business and extend our client base.”

Dave Ledger, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council and Chair of Arch said: “This company is a perfect example of a business which was primed and ready to move its operation up to the next level and needed some funding support to make it happen.

“I am delighted there are such a substantial number of skilled jobs are being created in Northumberland as part of the investment. By training apprentices as part of the expansion B & B Attachments are also safeguarding technical skills for the future.”

B & B Attachments new factory, which will be on the Nelson Park Industrial Estate, will allow the business to diversify and also restore and refurbish clients’ machines.

The company is set to attract business for their new service from all over the UK, Europe and North America. Its current client base already includes global blue chip companies and extends to the USA, Egypt and Malaysia.

In 2014 the company won top honours as Supplier of the Year, voted for by Members of the Forklift Truck Association (FLTA). It had previously won the Environmental Award from the FLTA.

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