Abandoned Sunderland site to be transformed into ‘key’ manufacturing facility

An abandoned waste site in Sunderland is set to undergo a transformation into a new manufacturing site.

Maritime crane and cargo handling equipment manufacturer Liebherr is expanding its existing business into the former Alex Smiles waste site in Deptford.

The space has been vacant since Alex Smiles went into administration in 2015, with over 30,000 tonnes of waste left on the site.

The firm, which already employs over 200 people in the local area, has secured the land for the regeneration project in conjunction with Sunderland City Council, which took possession of the land on December 12.

Council leader Cllr Graeme Miller commented: “Acquiring the site has allowed the council to bring a strategically important employment site back into use, safeguarded the continued presence of a long established manufacturing company in the city and create further employment opportunities.

“As well as securing an asset for the future this will also regenerate an unused site that otherwise could have stood empty for decades and posed significant risks.”

Ralph Saelzer, managing director of Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd, added: “In very close cooperation with Sunderland City Council and with the backing from our owners it was possible to use this unique opportunity to secure the site which will give us the potential for further development of our business.”

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