Former SSI employee’s career reignited by Flame

A leading North East trade supplies firm has revived the career of an experienced former SSI UK employee, as it looks to strengthen its position in the region.

Flame Heating Spares, which recently opened its first branch in the Tees Valley, on Boathouse Lane, Stockton, has hired Daniel Pape as branch supervisor, to support branch manager Stuart Lavelle, following the company’s latest expansion.

Daniel, from Redcar, worked at SSI UK’s Redcar steelworks for eight years, before its collapse in October last year. Prior to this, he spent seven years working for a national plumbing merchant with Stuart, who put him in touch with John Savage, Flame’s managing director.

Mr Pape, 33, said: “Obviously it has been a very difficult period, not just for me, but for many of my former colleagues and their families as a result of SSI’s closure, and I am delighted to have been given this opportunity. I have worked in the industry before and possess a good knowledge of the local market, so the role offers a good fit for my experience.

“It is great to be working with Stuart again as I embark on my career at Flame and I am excited to be part of the company’s ambitious future.”

Launched in 2011, Flame Heating Spares employs 20 people and has five branches throughout the North East in Durham, Gateshead, South Shields, Stockton and Sunderland.

The company now expects to double both its workforce and the number of branches it operates this year.

John Savage, managing director of Flame Heating Spares, said: “Daniel is a great addition to our newly formed Stockton team. He possesses a lot of experience and has a strong work ethic, and I am delighted that he is now part of the team, after going through such a turbulent time.

“Things are shaping up nicely for the business on the back of our opening in Stockton and continued investment in our infrastructure and workforce. Hopefully we will be announcing further launches across the region in the near future.”