A JOBS boost for Hartlepool is another step closer after a deal was signed by port chiefs and cable company bosses.
The Mail exclusively revealed earlier this month how 80 more jobs could be on the way at JDR Cables which wants to more than double its manufacturing capacity in town.
That possibility moved a major step closer when PD Ports – the owners of the
dockland on which JDR operates – gave the green light for the expansion.
JDR wants to expand and start making a new type of cable on top of its existing work.
The backing of PD Ports means JDR can double the size of its manufacturing space as well as adding a new 80ft-high plant to its impressive facilities to house the new equipment that will make the cables.
Jerry Hopkinson, PD Ports' bulks, ports and logistics managing director, said: "The expansion of JDR is very good news as it reinforces Hartlepool's position in the offshore renewable energy sector and the confidence our customers have in the port's ability to facilitate the needs of offshore manufactures.
"It is evidence that our plans to build a renewable energy supply chain cluster in the region is progressing well."
JDR Cable Systems is a leading provider of subsea power cables, umbilical systems and marine cables for the energy sector.
The new deal allows it to expand its current 100,000 sq ft facility at Hartlepool, opened only last July, by a further 116,000 sq ft to meet demand.
Patrick Phelan, managing director of JDR Cable Systems, said: "JDR is pleased to be located in Hartlepool with PD Ports as a partner.
"We have already reaped the benefits of having direct access to the North Sea and the proximity to all the major offshore wind farms currently under development in the UK.
"The ability to expand our facilities as the market demands is essential to our strategy of growth and diversification."
JDR has 70 workers on its books at the moment.
The new project – as well as extra work on other cables – will take the workforce to 150 within two years.
JDR's new project will see the firm making high voltage subsea cables weighing up to 4,000 tonnes.
The Greenland Road plant will be the only one in the UK capable of making them.
