A global craft supplies business wants to move into the former Holiways site in Newton Aycliffe as part of an ambitious £100m growth plan.
Crafter’s Companion, based at Coundon, Bishop Auckland, designs, manufactures and supplies craft-related products to enthusiasts across the world, predominantly through popular shopping channels in the UK and the US.
Formed by Sara Davies 10 years ago, Crafter’s Companion now employs over 60 people across its headquarters in County Durham and its US operation in California, and expects 2015 turnover to hit the £15m mark.
But the firm wants to expand by moving its HQ to the former Holiways site on Aycliffe Business Park, which closed three years ago after the Ford car dealership went into administration.
Crafter’s Companion has applied to Durham County Council to develop Unit 1 at the Horndale Avenue site, which includes 8,000 sq ft of first floor space.
“We are keen to move our head office to Unit 1 to allow for the expected growth in our head office requirements in the next 10 years,” says the application.
“Within five years we are expecting our global business to turnover £50m and hopefully £80-100m within 10 years.
“Our global HO currently contains management, internal sales and marketing, customer service, product development and design staff and to facilitate these growth plans we expected to further create many more jobs in all of these areas of our business.”
The former Holiways site closed in August 2012 with the loss of more than 80 jobs.
