Member Article

Seaham recruitment company targets growth as turnover increases

A recruitment firm which supplies employees to some of the country’s biggest companies is targeting further growth after seeing turnover reach £1.8million.

DDR Staffing Solutions was launched in August 2012 by Donna and Dave Rowlands after careers working in the training and recruitment sectors.

Initially run from their bedroom, the couple quickly secured its first major contract with Mecaplast to supply the Peterlee-based car parts manufacturer with 80 staff.

But after seeing the business grow, they decided to look for premises and in January 2013 moved into Novus II at Spectrum Business Park in Seaham.

Donna said: “I always wanted to run my own business and was getting to the point where I thought, if I don’t do it now I never will. I was lucky that quickly after launching I was given the chance to supply workers to Mecaplast and that was a great foundation for me to build up my portfolio. “As the business grew I felt I needed to have my own office as it reinforces your credibility as an established business and I knew East Durham Business Service had the building in Seaham which was perfect for me as it’s where I live. And since moving in we’ve never looked back.

“We now supply personnel to over 50 businesses, not just regionally but nationally; our turnover has passed the £1.8m mark; and our own workforce has grown with more additions to the team planned in the new year.”

In August 2013, to complement DDR Staffing Solutions’ portfolio, which also includes companies such as Katmex, Esschem and Survitech, Donna and Dave launched a second business, Red Line Recruitment, which provides specialist recruitment services to the logistics industry, supplying drivers to national companies such as Asda, Argos, Parcelforce and many others across the UK.

In November 2013, Dave, who had remained in full time employment while the business was established, left his job to work alongside his wife. He has since set up a training arm to the DDR Staffing Solutions business.

Donna added: “Both businesses are going from strength to strength and we now occupy two offices at Novus II and employ 10 people including one apprentice. I definitely think moving into a professional business environment has accelerated our growth and next year we will recruit further and expect our turnover will surpass £2.5m which is fantastic.”

Denise Fielding is Operations Director at East Durham Business Service. She said: “Since moving into Novus II at Seaham, Donna and Dave’s businesses have grown rapidly. Our building is the perfect environment for SMEs to flourish and DDR Staffing Solutions and Red Line Recruitment are testament to that.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .