Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems Europe (SEWS-E) is the first tenant to sign up for a new business unit at Jade Business Park in County Durham.

The 55-acre business park, which is currently under construction, is close to the A19 and Dalton Park on the outskirts of Murton, and it is set to provide over 1 million ft² of new employment space.

It is owned by Durham County Council, which is also funding the first phase of development.

SEWS-E www.sews-e.com" target="_blank">(www.sews-e.com) produces and distributes automotive wiring harnesses, fuse boxes, connectors and cables.

With over 20,000 employees in Europe, it is part of the Sumitomo family of companies, which was founded in Japan over 400 years ago and now operates in 65 countries.

Its unit will be part of the first phase of Jade Park, which is due to be completed in the summer of 2020 and will comprise seven units, with 155,000ft² of space for distribution, technology and advanced-manufacturing businesses.

Peter McDowell, property and business services director at Business Durham, said: “It’s fantastic to see such a high-profile and successful business take the first lease at Jade Business Park.

"The site’s location makes it the perfect base for companies like Sumitomo that are involved in the automotive construction supply chain. With further speculative units available at Jade Park, this is a very promising and exciting start.”

Councillor Alan Napier, deputy leader of the council, said: “The fact that such a massive global company has chosen to come here is a real vote of confidence in County Durham as a place to do business.

“We look forward to welcoming Sumitomo — and the firms that will follow.”