SIE Industrial, a family-run firm established in the early 1980s, has created more than a dozen jobs with the opening of a new factory and head office in Sunderland and a new base in the Middle East. The company, which manufactures industrial blasting, coating, extraction, and vacuum machines, has moved into an 11,374 sqft facility at Sunrise Enterprise Park, almost doubling its previous size. This expansion represents a six-figure investment and is driven by recent growth.
New Premises and Job Creation
The new premises will support the creation of roles including mechanical and electrical fitters, administration, sales, finance, stores, and logistics staff. The company supplies machinery to some of the world's largest civil engineering and industrial services firms, covering installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for major infrastructure projects across seven continents. Its equipment has been used on projects such as the Forth Rail Bridge, King's Cross Station, and Hinkley Point C.
Managing Director's Comments
Gareth Bowen, managing director of SIE Industrial, which was founded by his father Paul in 1982, said: "We pride ourselves on supplying the highest quality industrial dust extraction, vacuum recovery and abrasive blasting equipment and this new head office and assembly plant will be key to ensuring we can continue to do just that. We have an incredibly skilled team here in the North East who, for the past 40 years, have really pushed the boundaries when it comes to developing leading-edge machines that can be utilised across a wide range of environments and sectors, and the move will provide them with the space and resources required to continue innovating and realise their potential." He added: "It will also provide us with increased capacity and allow us to bring new talent into the business, from skilled engineers to apprentices and those who can work in the back-office as we look to drive further growth, develop our team and strengthen our service offering."
UAE Base and Strategic Growth
With renewed focus on defence, maritime, and nuclear spending, Mr Bowen is hopeful the new facility—along with a base in the United Arab Emirates and the appointment of Gary Taylor as Strategic Relationship Director—will help SIE benefit from rising demand. He said: "We have long harboured ambitions to open offices overseas and the new base in the UAE is the first step in us realising that ambition. Alongside the opening of the new Sunderland head office and the appointment of Gary Taylor as Strategic Relationship Director, it marks an exciting milestone for SIE as we seek to continue helping businesses across the global abrasive and blasting industry be more productive, reduce costs and work smarter."
Support from Sunderland City Council
SIE Industrial was supported in its expansion by the business investment team at Sunderland City Council, which provided signposting and referrals to various business support organisations. Councillor James Jackson, cabinet member for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: "SIE Industrial has established a stellar reputation for designing and supplying world-leading machinery, while creating skilled job opportunities for local people, so it is fantastic that the company is continuing to invest in the city. It’s great that the team have been able to support the company’s move to the new site and we look forward to following the company’s journey as it continues to grow its presence not only in Sunderland but across the globe."
