THE Aberdonian boss of a UK-based subsidiary of automotive parts manufacturer Continental has said he is confident of growth prospects for its factory in the north-east.
Andrew Esson, managing director of ContiTech Beattie told the Press and Journal the firm was looking to grow turnover from its Aberdeen unit to around £6million this year. This compares with about £5.5million last year and £1.1million in 2004, when Mr Esson joined the business.
ContiTech Beattie, which has its headquarters at Ashington, Northumberland, claims the mantle of being the world’s largest manufacturer of non-tyre rubber-based products, such as hoses and fluid transfer systems.
Exports make up around three-quarters of its overall business, with the remainder being North Sea-related work carried out at the facility at Altens, Aberdeen.
The company, a finalist at this week’s Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise at the Mercure Ardoe House hotel, at Blairs, near Aberdeen, employs 84 people at Ashington and 13 in the Granite City. ContiTech Beattie generated total turnover of around £28.5million last year and is targeting £32million in 2010.
“I am quietly confident we can achieve that,” said Mr Esson, adding: “The trends are that people in our markets are starting to spend money again.”
ContiTech Beattie already has a string of accolades to its name, including a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and hopes to add an employer of the year title on Thursday.
The firm recently expanded its trade connections – based on a network of agents in markets including Scandinavia, South America, Africa, the Asia-Pacific and Australia – via new distribution deals with companies in Singapore and Western Australia.