Member Article

Cleveland Containers doubles headcount to almost 50

A Middlesbrough container company has doubled the size of its workforce after receiving investment at a crucial time in the business’ emergence.

Backed by UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, and the Regional Growth Fund, Cleveland Containers received a £100k expansion package in 2015.

Alongside doubling its workforce to nearly 50, the company has rewarded investor confidence by increasing turnover to an expected £11m this year, up from £8.5m last year and around £6.5m the year before.

In the past two years Cleveland Containers has built a new suite of offices, illustrating one of the growing uses for its shipping containers, as well as a paint-blasting facility costing more than £300k on its seven acre site in Grangetown.

The company has taken on more fabricators and welders as well as growing its sales, accounts, administration and credit control teams.

Johnathan Bulmer, Director, said: “The investment from UK Steel Enterprise came at a crucial time and Sarah Thorpe and her team have done a fantastic job in supporting us.

“Without doubt, the investment was the springboard that has enabled us to grow and, following it, we were also able to secure funding from Tees Valley Unlimited.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to find all the skilled and experienced staff that we need locally and that the jobs we’ve created have included some for SSI employees who were made redundant.”

Sarah Thorpe, UK Steel Enterprise’s Area Manager, added: “Our bottom line is about helping businesses to grow and create jobs in steel areas and that does mean we can often be more flexible about our investment lending.

“We always had confidence in Cleveland Containers and its highly experienced management team but they have exceeded all expectations and, we are sure, will continue to go from strength to strength.”

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