A recent report in the North East Times confirms that a £3.5 million Gateshead engineering assembly and test centre has reached a key phase of construction, after completion of the structural-steel framework. The 48,000ft2 purpose-built centre is being developed to enable Express Engineering (www.express-engineering.co.uk) to maintain its growth and expansion in international markets.

The development — undertaken in partnership with UK Land Estates — will see Express Engineering work on
an expanded product strategy to supply assembled and tested actuators, connection systems and tooling for well-heads and sub-sea tree structures. When the centre becomes operational later this year, a number of skilled engineering
roles could be created (mainly in manufacturing).

Completion of the structural work comes as Express Engineering maintains a ‘cautious but resilient stance’ in the face of uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. That said, the company has continued to win new orders and is forecasting revenues of £30 million this year.

Business manager Trevor Hutchinson said: “It is great to see the project reach this important phase. We are continuing to invest to support our growth ambitions, ensuring that we are well placed to provide our customers with the high-quality sub-sea products they will need when the oil and gas market starts to ramp up.”

Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: “With lock-down beginning to ease and businesses starting to get back to work, we are glad to see that a key phase in construction for the centre has reached completion. With the site set to create a number of skilled jobs, we welcome this addition to one of our premier trading estates.”