Jobs created as manufacturer launches new plant

  Trefor Jones, Purex International and Alex McWhirter, Finance Yorkshire

Seventeen new jobs will be created at Humber Enterprise Park with the addition of a new manufacturing plant.

Industrial fume extraction firm Purex International will take on a 20,000sq ft space in the site’s ‘B Shed’ facility.

The move is an expansion for the company, which also has UK offices in Thorne, near Doncaster, as well as a US base in the Chicagoland area.

Purex MD Trefor Jones said: “We are creating 17 new jobs and making a significant investment in this move which we hope will be completed this summer.

“The other joint owner of Purex, Andy Easey, and I are local to East Yorkshire so we were aware of the potential in Brough and were attracted to Humber Enterprise Park for a number of reasons.

“There is a skilled workforce supply in engineering with BAE Systems having a base there over the years. It was also competitively priced.”

James Appleton-Metcalfe, managing director of park owners Citivale, said Purex’s decision was a sign of confidence in the area.

He said: “Tenants like Purex are moving to Humber Enterprise Park not only because of its £6m transformation but also because of the expertise and knowledge which exists in East Yorkshire.

“This has seen other companies such as retail software firm itim, aerospace supplier Supercraft and manufacturer Dearing Plastics to take on our luxurious office or high-quality industrial space.”

Meanwhile, Purex has been seeing growth in overseas sales.

Purex International makes a range of appliances that remove harmful fumes by purifying and recirculating air back into a factory. Users include companies in the electronics and laser and printing industries.

The business moved to its Thorne premises in 2016 after receiving a Business Loan investment from Finance Yorkshire.

Global turnover grew to more than £9m in the year ending October 2017, up from £7.5m the previous year.

Jones, who acquired the business alongside Easey in a 2015 management buyout, said: “We always had a good reputation in the market place and we have been able to build on this by identifying and taking advantage of opportunities both at home and overseas.

“One such example is the opening of our US subsidiary. Now we have a physical presence in the country we have seen the business grow year on year and we believe there is potential for further growth.

“We are continuing to invest in people along with research and development to facilitate our business growth into the future.”

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire said: “Our investment in Purex International came at a time when the business was showing strong potential for growth and job creation under a new team of experienced and committed owners.

“I’m delighted to see that the business is delivering on that potential by developing its international presence, building sales in the US and flying the flag for Yorkshire manufacturing.”

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