Sunderland-based RO-BAL Steel Fabrication has revealed plans to double both its workforce and its turnover after lining up a move to a larger manufacturing facility.

The company — set up by Rob Balzi 12 years ago — designs and fabricates large structures for customers that include
Galliford Try, Esh Construction, Sir Robert McAlpine, Nissan and Tesco.

It currently has a workforce of 18 — having recruited eight people this year — and is expanding into a new site in Washington where it plans to create more jobs with the assistance of funding from the Let’s Grow Scheme (this has been used to buy eight new gantry cranes plus automated drilling machines).

Mr Balzi said: “We aim to double our turnover in the second year and increase our workforce by at least 50% in two to three years. We have bought the building to allow for further expansion.”