Sunderland-based manufacturer opens new £2million facility with support from UMi
The family-run TWR Group, which supplies commercial customers across the UK, has relocated its entire operation to a new 65,000sq ft facility on Commercial Road, Hendon. With support from UMi, the business secured a £50,000 grant towards the refurbishments through the Business Growth Fund.
Prior to the move, the company operated two sites in Hendon and Peterlee, one fabricating aluminium and the other producing PVC doors, windows and conservatories.
The new facility however has brought all of its 30 staff together under one roof and seen the company open a new head office, showroom and trade counter. It has also enabled the firm to invest in new machinery and technology to improve efficiency and productivity, as well as providing the space required for the firm to continue growing. 
Laura O’Brien, finance director, said: “The opening of the new facility has marked an exciting milestone for the business. Both the aluminium and PVC sides of the company have grown significantly over recent years, but by bringing them together under one roof, we are ensuring we can continue to meet the increasing demand we’re seeing for our products.
“It has also allowed us to create two new jobs, with more to follow, while providing the space required to ensure that, as we continue to grow, we have the ability and flexibility to expand our operations. It is key to our future growth plans.”
TWR was founded by Laura’s father and managing director, Terry, who set up the family business in 2001 from a smaller unit on Woodbine Road, just a stone’s throw away from the new facility.
“As a family business which started out just around the corner from here, it’s been a real labour of love renovating this site,” he said.
“When we purchased the building, it was in dire need of repair. It needed a new roof and a whole load of structural improvements, so it was very much a complete rebuild. However, given the size of the site, its central position in the city and the fact that we started out just around the corner, it just ticked all of the boxes.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was a real challenge getting everything done in just six months, but we’re already reaping the benefits and are thrilled to be back in our home city.
“It’s a really proud moment for us as both a family and as a business.”
The Business Growth Fund - a £3.5m programme that supports business growth across the areas of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, North East Combined Authority, Sunderland City Council – was perfectly suited to support TWR’s goals.
Anita Economides, Business Adviser at UMi, said: “The Business Growth Fund was set up to boost business growth and job creation in the region, and this is a fantastic case study of how it has done just that.
“By working with our partners in the UK Government and Sunderland City Council, we’ve been able to support TWR with the funding required to expand its operations, invest in innovation, and safeguard skilled jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector. This investment not only strengthens TWR’s future but also contributes to the region’s reputation as a hub for high-value manufacturing and engineering excellence.”