Member Article

Sustained growth leads to city expansion for Sunderland steel enterprise

The owner of a Sunderland-based steel firm has pledged to double turnover and create up to 20 new jobs in the next couple of years, bucking the trend of an industry downturn in the region.

RO-BAL Steel Fabrication, which specialises in structural and architectural steel fabrication, will shortly move to larger manufacturing premises in Washington reveals owner Rob Balzi.

Rob, who launched the business 12 years ago, says the firm hopes to capture further momentum having already grown strongly with the addition of eight new employees so far this year.

Securing funding from the Department for Business’ BE Group ‘Let’s Grow Scheme’, along with further investment from current company directors, the enterprise is also set to purchase eight new gantry cranes and automated drilling line machines to boost its output capabilities.

Mr Balzi started off as RO-BAL’s only employee, fabricating bespoke balustrades, gates and railings.

Since then RO-BAL has grown to become a UK-wide company designing and fabricating huge structures with architects and customers such as Galliford Try, Esh Construction, Sir Robert McAlpine, Nissan, Tesco, Sainsbury, Lidl, the pharmaceutical sector, utility companies and local council authorities.

Rob commented: “The move will make us more efficient and cost effective, enabling us to be more competitive and giving us the opportunity to take on bigger projects.

“We aim to double our turnover in the second year and increase our workforce by at least fifty per cent in two to three years.”

RO-BAL began by designing and manufacturing work for domestic customers, then grew by winning contracts with local councils across the North East. Private businesses of all sizes nationwide now make up the majority of RO-BAL’s order book.

RO-BAL bought its premises after taking advice from Sunderland City Council’s Business Investment team, who identified the property as an ideal match for RO-BAL’s expansion requirements.

Cllr Harry Trueman, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “The success of RO-BAL and the way it has driven growth by combining design and manufacturing to bring more work into the city’s economy should be applauded.

“We’re delighted to see RO-BAL expand and I’m confident its success in Hertburn will play an important part in attracting more businesses to this well-located industrial estate.”

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