Member Article

Durham plastics business unveils £1m expansion plans

Durham-based Plastic Mouldings Northern has announced plans of a new, £1m expansion following a hike in turnover.

Founded by business partners Freddy Bourdais and Mark Rigg with two staff in 2002, the firm’s sales grew by more than 10% to £2.3m by the end of May this year, up almost £300k on last year.

The firm supplies DIY chains including Homebase, B&Q and Wickes, and it also manufactures parts for the automotive industry, with clients including Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, JCB and Rolls Royce.

Based at South Church Enterprise Park in Bishop Auckland, the company now hopes to build a 12,000 sq ft operation close to its existing premises to facilitate the growth of both its team and operations.

The new development, which will initially be used for warehousing, will be in addition to the firm’s existing 13,000 sq ft head office and a 7,000 sq ft site on the AGL Business Park in nearby Coundon.

Sales director Freddy Bourdais said: “There hasn’t been a year where we haven’t grown. It has picked up gradually year-on-year.

“There were only four of us when we started out 15 years ago and even eight years ago there were only six of us – now we have a team of 20.

“I think the success of the business has been down to not being tied up into one market. We work across a whole range of industries.

“One minute we could be supplying material for the automotive industry, which is what we’re mostly known for, and the next minute we’ll be producing bespoke, low-volume packaging solutions in other niche sectors.

“In 15 years, I can probably count on one hand the amount of clients who have left us, and I think that’s because we’re always looking outside of the box.

“I always see opportunities. I will go into a company, and I can always find something we can do for them, to help with their process which will save them money as we offer a wide range of products.

“And I always tend to find that if you look after people, they will look after you.”

The company aims to expand its new premises and eventually consolidate all operations into the new headquarters, and take its workforce to around the 40 mark over the next five years.

Mr Bourdais says the firm has been assisted in its planning application by John Parnell, Business Durham’s business development area manager (South), and Laura Eden from Durham County Council’s planning department.

Mr Parnell added: “It’s great to see the company retain its business in the area and we wish them every success.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →