Snorkel to grow workforce 50% at Vigo

Following an announcement from Snorkel North America that it would be increasing its workforce by more than 20%, the UK Vigo factory in Washington, Tyne and Wear is also recruiting: planning to expand its shop floor (assembly) workforce by 50% this year.

Having downsized the team during the recession, a recent 170% increase in the order book has convinced the company it is time to recruit.

Brendan Campbell, group operations director, said, "After talking to our key customers, our build plan for 2012 calls for up to a 50% growth in our assembly workforce between now and September. This will be a gradual process as we ramp up production in line with demand.

"Principally we will be employing production operatives for our assembly lines, but we are also taking on three new apprentices as we build for the future."

The Vigo Centre factory in Washington exports more than 95% of its production to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Rim. It is also Snorkel's global headquarters - the company has satellite factories in North America, China and New Zealand.

"Although we had to downsize during the recession, we stuck firmly to a strategy of keeping our core people and enhancing their skill sets," said Mr Campbell. "We are emerging from a tough, prolonged downturn as a much stronger, smarter company and are now ready for the next growth phase."