Washington family businesses set to go on recruitment drive

Two metal fabrication and cutting businesses set up by members of same family have revealed plans to go on a recruitment drive in order to be able to cope with an increase in orders and workload, a recent news report in the local business media has been able to reveal.

The first firm, Washington-based Almet Sheetmetal Fabrications, was started 20 years ago by Paul Almond as a general sheet metal company, but now works with  some of the biggest names in the heavy automotive segment. The company has invested £65,000 in a new brake press machine and has taken on six staff as it diversifies its customer base, increasing its workforce to 19.

Almet’s son Paul Jr and daughter Hayley came on board two years ago when a second company called Temla was founded to improve Almet’s lead times for jobs involving laser cutting.

"We were having issues getting laser cut profiles, which was delaying the service we could provide, so we bought a laser so we could do everything in house and provide a better service," said Paul.

"At the time, Hayley was manager for a car rental company and Paul Jr was working as a manager in the restaurant industry. I asked if they were interested in coming into the business and we set up Temla within the factory."

Temla has since invested in a £400,000 Swiss-made laser and in addition to providing laser cutting services for Almet. The company is also targeting the oil and gas and signage industries.

Manager Hayley said: "We moved into our own premises on the NEP Business Park in Sunderland at the start of January. We have two staff and an apprentice and are hoping to take on two more staff immediately and a third when we move on to split shifts at the end of this year.”

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