Leading North East trade supplies firm Flame Heating Spares is set for further growth with the opening of its first branch in the Tees Valley.
The company has launched its fifth branch in the region on Boathouse Lane, Stockton, which follows its expansion into a new head office in Gateshead – doubling its floor space – and the opening of a branch in Sunderland, earlier this year.
Stuart Lavelle, from Billingham, will oversee the running of the Stockton branch, in his role as an investor director at Flame Heating Spares, which gives him a financial stake in the success of the branch.
Stuart, 40, has more than 20 years’ experience in the sector having started out with a local plumbing firm, before working his way up to a country-wide role at a national plumbing merchant.
Founded in 2011, Flame Heating Spares now employs 20 people after starting out with a single branch in Team Valley, before expanding into Durham and South Shields in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The company is now expected to open further branches in the North East and plans to double its workforce in 2016.
John Savage, managing director of Flame Heating Spares, said: “We have experienced significant growth in just a relatively short space of time, and I am delighted with our latest expansion in Stockton. This latest investment has allowed us to increase our presence throughout the region and hopefully it will be more of the same this year, as we look to open further branches and increase our offering to customers, as well as benefit local economies with the creation of jobs.
“Last year was an exciting year with the opening of our new head office and two branches, which were all part of our ambitious growth plans. Stuart possesses a wealth of experience and industry knowledge, particularly in the area as he is from Stockton, and I am looking forward to working with him.”