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Teesside's Applied Integration reveals five year plan to double turnover and workforce

Teesside systems integrator Applied Integration has marked its tenth anniversary by announcing plans to double its turnover and the size of its workforce within the next five years.

The Stokesley-based business’ current turnover, standing at £4.4m, will reportedly increase to around £8m by 2020. Moreover, the company’s directors hope to create more than 30 new jobs, including engineering roles for Teesside graduates.

The first phase of jobs creation has started with Applied Integration branching out to new research and development offices located in Stockton.

Applied Integration staff are in the late stages of developing the state-of-the-art automation and safety-critical control systems for the UK’s future nuclear deterrent, four Astute class submarines for the Ministry of Defence.

In a project that director Garry Lofthouse describes as “the most complex build in the world today”, they are working on the overarching control systems for what will be world class submarines, with Audacious scheduled for launch in 2016.

Now Applied Integration directors are looking to mark the company’s 10th anniversary by transferring their skills and expertise into exciting new markets such as the aerospace industry, whilst continuing to service their traditional customers within the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.

Clients also include aerospace and defence manufacturers Esterline and Swinton Technology, a global supplier of oil and gas flow computer control system solutions, together with international energy leaders Phillips 66, automation technology experts ABB and PET resin manufacturers Lotte Chemical UK.

Set up on Stokesley Business Park by Garry and fellow directors Lee Raywood, Graham King and Roy Coleman in 2005, the business has grown from strength to strength throughout a period of recession since securing a series of contract wins with the BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence.

Garry Lofthouse said: “Over the next five years we aim to double our turnover and double our manpower. I think a turnover of £7- £8m is very achievable between our successful automation control business and the growth of our relatively young panel build service.

“On the automation control side, we have ongoing work with prestigious existing clients, including BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence, while we have several potential large, long-term contract wins in the pipeline, which we’re immensely excited about.

“We’re actively looking to make a breakthrough into the aerospace sector, as we’re confident all of the expertise and experience we have from working on submarines can be readily transferred to tackle similar challenges within that industry.”

He added: “Our work in the defence sector has really raised our profile in the marketplace. We’re making real inroads with lots of new customers. Potential clients sit up and take notice when you mention the Ministry of Defence.

“These long-term projects give the business stability in the marketplace, while the prestige of our Defence sector clients, together with the reputation we have built within it, helps us to win new clients.

“The typical reaction is ‘If you can build systems for them then you’re good enough to build systems for us too’, which is a great accolade but one we’re very comfortable about living up to because we’re now setting the industry standards in automation control.”

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