A Middlesbrough-based container company, backed by UK Steel Enterprise, has rewarded the investor’s confidence by increasing turnover to an expected £11m this year and doubling its workforce to nearly 50.
In the past two years Cleveland Containers has built a new suite of offices, illustrating one of the growing uses for its shipping containers, as well as a paint-blasting facility costing more than £300,000 on its seven acre site in Grangetown.
The company has taken on more fabricators and welders as well as growing its sales, accounts, administration and credit control teams.
The investment in 2015 provided by UK Steel Enterprise, the Tata Steel business- support subsidiary, as part of an expansion package was made up of a £50,000 loan and a £50,000 grant from its Regional Growth Fund.
“The investment from UK Steel Enterprise came at a crucial time,” said Director Johnathan Bulmer, “and Sarah Thorpe and her team have done a fantastic job in supporting us. Without doubt, the investment was the springboard that has enabled us to grow and, following it, we were also able to secure funding from Tees Valley Unlimited.
“We are very pleased that we have been able to find all the skilled and experienced staff that we need locally and that the jobs we’ve created have included some for SSI employees who were made redundant.”
Growth at Cleveland Containers has been ahead of expectations with turnover at February year end close to £11m – up from £8.5m last year and around £6.5m the year before. The company is expanding its work nationwide in container hire, sales and repair as its position and reputation as one of the UK’s top operators continues to grow.
Set up in 2011 by the Bulmer family, who have substantial experience in the transport and logistics sector, its customers include leading companies in the shipping, agriculture, education, chemical, catering and offshore sectors.
Standard and bespoke containers can be up to 45 ft in size and include refrigerated, insulated and even flat pack versions and the company now has depots in Birmingham, Bristol, Felixstowe, Grangemouth, Grimsby and Hull.
Sarah Thorpe, UK Steel Enterprise’s Area Manager said “Our bottom line is about helping businesses to grow and create jobs in steel areas and that does mean we can often be more flexible about our investment lending.
“We always had confidence in Cleveland Containers and its highly experienced management team but they have exceeded all expectations and, we are sure, will continue to go from strength to strength.”
For details of UK Steel Enterprise’s support for businesses call 01642 777 777 or visitwww.uksteelenterprise.co.uk. Cleveland Containers is on 0330 005 5111 and atwww.clevelandcontainers.co.uk.