Coatings firm to create 20-job factory after new PD Ports lease

A protective coatings firm has revealed plans to create 20 jobs in a £1.5 million factory expansion.

Diffusion Alloys is building an 8000sq ft warehouse at Teesport Commerce Park, in Middlesbrough.

Bosses say the site will include “a coating facility and centre for excellence”, adding it will deliver its new posts over the next two years.

Its blueprint was rubberstamped after the firm – which provides coatings for operators to guard against metal degradation in the energy and process sectors, among others – agreed a new long-term lease with PD Ports.

Diffusion Alloys has occupied its Teesport base for more than 18 years and managing director Lisa Randall said its fresh tenancy security will aid the business’ progress in a market that is expected to grow rapidly over the next 20 years, as more cleaner energy developments emerge.

She said: “The new factory and centre for excellence will enable the company to support the build out of hydrogen generation technology from within the UK.

“The decision is testimony to our dedicated and hard-working staff in Teesside who have been instrumental in making this investment possible.”

The investment is another welcome boost for PD Ports and Teesport Commerce Park after it previously secured two waste-to-energy plants, in conjunction with Wentworth Clean Power, that officials say are worth a cumulative £660 million.

It also follows an announcement earlier this month of a long-term deal struck between PD Ports and STRABAG, which will see the latter make more than 30,000 precast concrete tunnel segments for the HS2 rail development from Hartlepool Dock.

Michael McConnell, PD Ports group property director, said: “Projects such as Diffusion Alloys’ centre for excellence and the Wentworth Clean Power waste-to-energy plants really highlight the trust and confidence that large-scale businesses have in the Tees Valley, thanks to our expertise, strong skills base and unrivalled connections to global markets.

“We very much look forward to continuing to support Diffusion Alloys as they bring their new facility to fruition.”