Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 42 | Page 5

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 5 /NEWS BUSINESS BRIEFS NATIONAL GONG FOR SARA Crafter’s Companion entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star, Sara Davies, was awarded the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award at the 18th Lloyds Bank National Business Awards. It came after Sara had won the North- East award and went into the national final. Read our exclusive interview with Sara on pages 18-19. GREGGS TO OPEN STORE Roman empire expands in Aycliffe O ne of Europe’s leading shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, has further enhanced its manufacturing capabilities and capacity with a significant purchase of land and buildings. Over the last six months Roman has increased its main shower enclosure manufacturing site from 90,000 sq ft to 140,000 sq ft. The production lines were expanded from five to eight lines in the main factory to allow for the increased demand for Roman shower enclosures, wetroom panels and bath screens. This futureproofs the British company for strong growth, extra warehousing and an enhanced level of service to customers. Adjoining the main site, Roman has rented two buildings for its solid surface shower tray manufacturing and Corian fabrication for bathroom structures, vanity units and basins – the buildings total 24,000 sq ft. Roman has now purchased the adjoining buildings which more than doubles the space for each with a total of 56,000 sq ft. But the surrounding land is a total of 160,000 sq ft to cover land future expansions of both operations. The investment brings Roman’s overall space on the site to 400,000 sq ft. Purchasing of this new site will provide the company with flexibility to expand production as and when required. Strong sales and international growth for Roman means the company requires further capacity to meet demand in export markets. Major international hotel projects have contributed to the year-on-year growth for the business, in both the UK and abroad. Roman has been designing and manufacturing showering solutions in the UK for over 35 years. The company employs over 240 people, producing lines such as shower enclosures, wetroom panels, shower trays, bath screens and solid surface fabrication for vanity units, basins and the bathroom structure. It currently exports British made products to 57 countries. Managing director David Osborne said: “Roman has seen a steady increase in demand for our products both within the UK and internationally and expanding our premises allows us the opportunity to continue our strong growth, whilst constantly enhancing our service levels, production capabilities and of course capacity.” Showering products featured in Grand Designs TV project N ewton Aycliffe firm Roman was recently involved in a unique Grand Designs project which was aired on Channel 4. The shower designer and manufacturer specified products to create bespoke solutions for five en-suite bathrooms that fulfilled the customer’s modern and contemporary brief, including Roman’s Liberty black grid wetroom panels, Decem hinged door and side panel and Lumin8 quadrants and trays. Owners Paul and Amy Wilkinson chose an unusual structure for their grand design – five circular timber buildings linked by walkways. The distinctive design of the development significantly reflected the choice of furniture. Paul and Amy decided to stay in line with the ‘circular’ theme through the whole of the property from the living area to the kitchen right through to the bathrooms. Roman specified a selection of shower designs and one shower style in particular fitted the project perfectly, the Lumin8 quadrants and trays, which characterise an oval shape and complemented the circular design beautifully. Roman managing director David Osborne said: “It was a privilege to be involved in such a remarkable development whereby we achieved the luxury end result they had envisaged for such a long time. “It’s always a pleasure to work with Grand Designs – what an amazing space and another amazing outcome.” Greggs is set to open a shop in the former Newton Press buildings on Aycliffe Business Park. The new shop, at Unit 1, Sydney House, will offer a contemporary food-on-the go experience, with seating available for customers. More than a dozen new jobs will be created for the community, with any remaining jobs advertised at greggsfamily.co.uk MODULAR HOMES IN AYCLIFFE Local housing provider, Livin, has installed its first affordable homes manufactured offsite at Central Avenue in Newton Aycliffe. The homes, manufactured in the ilke Homes factory in North Yorkshire using precision-engineering techniques, are high quality and enjoy a greater energy efficiency rating. As a result, tenants could save up to 20% on their utility bills compared to new build homes built traditionally. GESTAMP BIGGEST AYCLIFFE FIRM Gestamp Tallent has been ranked as Newton Aycliffe’s biggest North-East firm. Four Aycliffe businesses made it in the top 50 at media group Reach’s “unveiling” of the region’s largest companies. Gestamp were listed 11th with an annual turnover of £482m. INEOS were placed 27th (£273m), Husqvarna were 34th (£230m) and Hitachi Construction Machinery UK came in at 39th (£212m). Nissan topped the overall list, with staggering annual sales of £6.26 billion. AYCLIFFE TODAY BUSINESS We’re now working on the 43rd issue of Aycliffe Today Business, with promotional space available from £250. To get involved email [email protected]