North East trade supplies firm Flame Heating Spares has opened its fourth outlet as it continues its ambitious plans for growth.
The firm, which operates trade counters for heating and plumbing engineers, has opened a new site in Sunderland, building upon its operations in Gateshead, Durham and South Shields.
The new site, on the Riverside Industrial Estate, Lower Southwick, is run by Glenn Neal, who has worked for trade counters around the Wearside area for 15 years. Glenn has become an investor director of Flame Heating Spares, meaning he has a financial stake in the success of the branch.
Flame Heating Spares launched in 2013 and the Sunderland branch is the second new outlet to open in nine months. The company is aiming to double its workforce in 2015 from 13 at the start of the year, with two more new branches expected to open in the North East.
The company has also signed a deal with North East firm 0800 Repair to supply all spares for the firm’s team of engineers, to help ensure same day service to customers.
Flame is moving its lead branch in Gateshead into a new Team Valley site, which has double the space of the existing outlet, to allow for more stock to be kept for same day supply to trade customers.
Further expansion plans include identifying and opening a further two branches later in the year, both in the North East.
John Savage, Managing Director of Flame Heating Spares, said: “The launch of our fourth branch is part of our plans for growth in 2015 and beyond. Our same day service and extensive range of spares, together with Glenn’s local knowledge of the Sunderland market, put us in a strong position as new entrants to the Sunderland market and we are looking forward to further expansion later in the year.”