New jobs hope at Hexham timber plant

Land has been safeguarded by Tynedale Council for employment-related development.

The area has also been identified by an independent study as ideal for accommodating timber and forestry-related companies, given its close proximity to Kielder Forest.

Directors said that the development is focused on "efficiency" and optimising the supply chain from Egger to its customer base, which includes furniture manufacturers and the building industry.

The eco-friendly development will also enable the complete reuse of waste materials generated by the process.

Construction jobs will also be created while the development is being built, in addition to 45 permanent contracts.

The development will process and add value to melamine face chipboard panels already produced at the existing plant by cutting, edging and drilling the boards into components pieces.

A statement read last night: "Following our £110m investment, which has secured the future of the Hexham plant and 460 direct employees, we are keen to evaluate this opportunity, despite the current tough economic climate in some of our customers' markets.

"As well as the creation of 45 jobs and further indirect benefits, this investment would help the supply chain to become leaner, helping also to off-set spiraling raw material costs and minimise waste.

"Those living close to the planned development have been assured their views would be taken into account during the planning process. The development is "significantly smaller" than the recent redevelopment of the existing plant, at around 22,000sq m.

A public consultation exercise will be launched by bosses at the plant prior to the submission of a planning application next month. There will be a small exhibition at the Queens Hall, Hexham, on Monday, September 8 from 9am to 7.30pm where plans of the proposed investment can be viewed.

The company expects a planning application to be submitted by the end of September.