GMI Construction Group ‘proud’ after landing Teesside International Airport contract

A builder has pledged to help restore the region’s “economic powerhouse” status after securing work on a £200 million aviation development.

GMI Construction Group will deliver the first factory on Teesside International Airport’s new business park.

Bosses say work will start “in a matter of weeks”, with the 25,000sq ft plant earmarked for occupancy by the end of the year.

Based on the sprawling site’s south side, airport officials say the business park has potential to create as many as 4400 jobs, with a further three industrial units expected in its first phase.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who previously returned the base to public ownership, said: “This is another example of how our airport is supporting local businesses and benefiting local people.

“This will create more jobs and bring in rent to help us get our airport into profit.”

Gary Oates, GMI’s divisional managing director North East, added: “We are proud to have been selected to deliver the first unit.

“We chose the Tees Valley for our North East office because of the many exciting developments that seek to re-establish this area as an economic powerhouse.”

GMI already has strong links in the North East, having built the 450,000sq ft Thorn Lighting factory in Spennymoor, County Durham.

It is also delivering 362,600sq ft of commercial units at Hillthorn Business Park, in Washington, and the 650,000sq ft Connect warehouse and distribution hub on the Integra 61 site, based off the A1 near Bowburn.