We knew we had the space to add new machines which would not only improve productivity and efficiency but also allow us to add new products and processes, the County Durham Growth Fund helped this happen.
Andrew Devlin
ATT Fabrications
A rapidly expanding family business is on track to create over 20 new jobs after securing grant support from the County Durham Growth Fund.
ATT Fabrications in Spennymoor was founded by managing director Andrew Devlin in 2008 and has enjoyed year or year growth since.
Last year the company relocated into a 34,000 sq ft unit at Greenhills Business Park after reaching full capacity at its previous facility, also located in the same area.
The move enabled Andy to look at investment in new machinery, both to replace outdated equipment with obsolete parts and to add new revenue streams into the business.
ATT Fabrications had heard about the County Durham Growth Fund through an existing relationship with Business Durham engagement office Andrea McGuigan and decided to make an application to support capital investment of over £200,000.
Andrew, whose wife Julie and bother Ian also work for ATT Fabrications, said: “After agreeing to move into much larger premises, we knew we had the space to add new machines which would not only improve productivity and efficiency but also allow us to add new products and processes, supporting our plans for growth.
“Alongside the investment in three new machines, we have also committed significant spending on our new building, which was disused and run down when we took it on.
“We’ve completely fitted it out, creating fabrication and production areas, high quality office space and a new showroom which is open to the public to see for themselves some of the products we make.”
ATT Fabrications makes bi-fold doors, window panels, kitchen atriums, and ‘garden pods’ which are outdoor rooms that can be used as living space, offices, gyms or entertainment areas.
The company, which is on track to achieve £5m turnover by the end of 2022, is also looking at new revenue streams including a collaboration with another well-known Spennymoor company and the manufacture of SIP panels, which is currently a product it buys in.
ATT Fabrications now employs 42 people, with significant recruitment taking place since the award of the County Durham Growth Fund, exceeding the target of 10 new jobs to be created.
They also employ one production apprentice with the recruitment of a marketing trainee also underway.
The County Durham Growth Fund is managed by Business Durham in partnership with UMi and is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). All successful grant applications are appraised by UNW LLP, an independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers.
Andrea McGuigan from Business Durham said: “I have worked with Andrew, Julie and the team at ATT Fabrications for a number of years and have watched them grow from a small team to one that now employs over 40 people.
“They are a home-grown success story and I’m delighted that with the grant support secured from the County Durham Growth Fund, they’ve been able to commit significant investment which has not only created jobs but will also see them add new products to their portfolio.”
Simon Allen, investment centre director at UMI, added: “ATT Fabrications is an ambitious company which is now embarking on the next phase of its business journey with the help of the County Durham Growth Fund. We wish them the best of luck.”
Lara Marshall, corporate finance manager at UNW, said: “The County Durham Growth Fund is here to support businesses like TT Fabrications, that want to create jobs and add new revenue streams which are cementing their long-term future in the area.”
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