Member Article

Growth plans and progress for Peterlee firm

A FABRICATION company is looking forward to further growth – after already securing two new clients following its move to East Durham just 12 weeks ago.

D&S Services, in Hunter Road, on the South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, moved to the area in a bid to boost its productivity, capacity and capability.

As well as placing an added focus on two of the firm’s five sub-brands – D&S Fabrication and D&S Material Handling – bosses are also aiming to increase overall turnover from £2m to £4m over the next two years.

It has invested over £180,000 in new machinery and has taken on four new members of staff following its expansion from Newton Aycliffe to the 46,000 sq ft unoccupied factory in Peterlee.

Further job creation is also expected within the next two months with an extra three members of staff needed.

Commercial Director of D&S Services, Alastair Tennant, said it is an exciting time for the company in terms of its growth, while also boosting employment in East Durham.

He said: “Since our move we have demonstrated improved productivity and capacity, and as a result have seen two new customers come on board already.

“The additional space here in Peterlee is allowing us to tender a number of high volume projects which we do expect to come to fruition over the coming months.

“We’re also moving into areas that previously we could not.” He added: “It’s a really exciting time, and we’re also starting to take on more people as well. “It gives us an enormous amount of satisfaction to bring something new to a new area, providing jobs for people in that area, and really satisfying our customers.

“What drives us more than anything is happy customers and happy employees, and through the move, and through the growth, we are providing more of that.

“Our employees now have more of an opportunity to grow and gain more experience, which previously we couldn’t do.”

The expansion, development, and refurbishment of the Peterlee site, which had stood empty for six years, cost £380,000, offering a massive economic boost to the region.

One new piece of equipment that has been bought and installed in the D&S warehouse is a high-speed automated drill line, which is faster and more accurate than manual techniques.

Alastair said: “As well as taking on four new members of staff, who have been a great addition to our team, we have also invested in this cutting edge technology to increase productivity and boost our client-base, capacity, and capability.

“We hope to double our turnover and branch out into other areas as a result of the acquisition of our new premises in Peterlee.

“It is great news for the area and we are delighted to be in a position to continue growth in the North East where we have a lot of clients.”

D&S Services is a multi-disciplined service supplier delivering metal fabrication, engineering, and material handling, services nationally.

The move to Peterlee has quadrupled the firm’s floor space, which was much-needed after it outgrew its 10,000 sq ft premises on Aycliffe Business Park.

D&S Services, formed in 2004, operates three other sub-brands D&S Express, D&S Coating, and D&S Agricultural.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Felicity Collinson .