A fast-growing powder coatings company which counts some of the region’s biggest firms among its clients is planning for further expansion.

GT Coatings, based in Newton Aycliffe, has invested heavily in cutting-edge machinery to help improve efficiency and productivity, ensuring its position as a leader within the coatings industry.

And now the company, which is owned by Nick Turnbull following its separation from the GT Group in 2016, is embarking on a drive to further strengthen its regional client portfolio by attracting more larger orders which it is now in a stronger position to fulfil.

Chris Anderson, General Manager at GT Coatings, said: “Over the last five years we have committed around £115,000 in new machinery and further recent investment means we can take on higher volume orders for new and existing clients.

“This is something we’re really keen to push – we know there are other powder coatings companies in the region but very few who are set up to operate on as large a scale as we are, which we know is important to bigger manufacturers and producers who want more established and professional suppliers to call on.”

GT Coatings employs around 25 people at its Aycliffe Business Park factory and has a £1.2m turnover.

It was originally part of the family-owned GT Group, which has facilities across the region, however when the group was acquired by a German firm three years ago, GT Coatings separated and is now under the ownership of founder Geoff Turnbull’s son Nick, with the day-to-day management overseen by Chris.

Its current client base includes established brands across sectors including automotive, oil and gas, construction and manufacturing.

Chris added: “As we look to establish ourselves within the higher volume, bulk order end of the powder coatings market, we will continue invest in new machinery and talented personnel who we think are the right fit for the business to help us achieve our ambitions.

“This includes attracting young talent and the recruitment of apprentices is something we’re actively looking into.

“We are also exhibiting at EMCON, through the Incubator Zone, in a couple of weeks which we see as the ideal platform to showcase our business and really push our strengths and capabilities to a widespread audience of potential customers for the business.”