Wallsend manufacturer announces international expansion plans

Barrier Ex Ltd, a manufacturer of superior hazardous area products and services, has unveiled plans to expand into the Middle East and the USA in 2019 as part of its international growth strategy, which is being supported by Scaleup North East.

The Wallsend-based business will also create an additional 14 jobs over the next two years and is forecasting an increase in turnover to £6m within the same period. The Scaleup North East programme will assist Barrier Ex with this future growth.

Following a rigorous application process, involving specific criteria assessment, site visits and an interview from RTC North, Barrier Ex was one of the successful businesses chosen from the hundreds that applied.

The Scaleup North East programme, funded by the European Commission (ERDF) and North East Local Enterprise Partnership, and delivered by RTC North will work with Barrier Ex to identify the business’ key challenges and develop an action plan to overcome these to help achieve growth targets.

Ultimately, this aims to create new, high-quality jobs in the region.

Barrier Ex demonstrated its ability to achieve significant growth in the future after the company expanded from a workforce of two to 14 employees within the first 18 months of operation.

The hazardous area products supplier was also recognised for its achievements in the industry, being featured in the London Stock Exchange publication 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain and formed a major partnership with npower in its first year of trading for its LED Lighting division.

It has since expanded into electrical engineering and composite manufacturing.

Steven Lee, managing director at Barrier Ex, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen for the Scaleup North East programme after establishing ourselves as a growing business in the region.

“The support provided from the programme will help us achieve our targets to expand internationally next year.

“It is a challenge starting off any new business, so it is important to receive support from organisations like RTC, and from North Tyneside Council who have backed us in the past.”

Andrew Esson, scaleup partner at RTC North, added: “The Scaleup North East programme offers support from business professionals to companies which demonstrate hunger and potential to achieve high levels of growth.

“Steven and the team at Barrier Ex showed great passion about the company’s plans to expand internationally over the coming months and therefore stood out as a great option to help develop job opportunities in the North East.”

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