Cheshire-based Tiger Trailers (www.tigertrailersinc.com), a manufacturer of commercial vehicle bodies and trailers, is creating dozens of jobs with a multi-million-pound expansion.

The company is building a new factory with the help of £2.9 million of funding from NatWest and asset finance firm Lombard. The £22 million facility, due to be fully operational by early 2019, could create up to 170 new jobs.

Furthermore, the company’s rapid growth in the last four years — from a 100,000ft² warehouse and one initial order to a business with a £30 million turnover business, 180 employees, and 4,000 trailers on the road — has secured it Northern Powerhouse partner status.

As part of this commitment, which includes nurturing young talent, Tiger Trailers will continue investing in its apprenticeship scheme, with a 16-strong intake later this year.

Finance director Chris Smith said: “The company started with the vision of creating innovative transport products in a Cheshire manufacturing facility.

"Thanks to on-going funding from NatWest and Lombard, we have realised our vision and rapidly grown to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of trailers and vehicle bodies.

"We will continue to build products that deliver real efficiency and savings for the industry, and we are committed to supporting the comeback of the Northern economy.”

NatWest relationship manager Philip Mills said “We have worked with Tiger Trailers since the company was founded, and it has been fantastic helping the business grow to become a huge player in the manufacturing industry and now a Northern Powerhouse partner.”