Glass business shines with new investment

Manufacturer Fendor has invested £300,000 in a new research and development division – creating 10 jobs in the process – having just reported its busiest month on record.

In the summer the firm, which makes specialist glazing products, moved from its previous base in Gateshead to a new 50,000 sq ft premises at Glover Industrial Estate in Washington, formerly occupied by Walker Filtration.

The move quickly paid off and in October the company broke its own records by recording a £2.3m order intake on one month alone.

The company has invested £300,000 into research and development to enable further diversification, which will bring up to ten new jobs to add to its current workforce of 70 this year.

Fendor - which counts London’s King’s Cross, the new Dorchester Hotel and the Gateshead International Stadium among its clients - has seen a period of unprecedented growth since managing director Chris Duffy bought the company in an MBO five years ago.

Traditionally, its customer base was primarily based in the south of England, but Fendor is increasingly seeking to develop its local presence through competitive tendering for commercial glazing including projects such as Downing Plaza in Newcastle and Redcar Pier in Teesside.

Chris Duffy, who has overseen continued investment since taking control of Fendor in 2006, said he believes the company's success lies in its diversification.

"We recognised the opportunity to grow through moving into different sectors and creating new products, and thankfully that has enabled us to remain financially strong despite the recession, which has seen several of our competitors cut back or even go under," he said.

Sunderland City Council's business investment team helped Fendor to identify the former Walker Filtration building off-market.

The City Council has also supported the business financially through grants, and in the relocation process.

Manufacturer Fendor has invested £300,000 in a new research and development division – creating 10 jobs in the process – having just reported its busiest month on record