Manufacturer to double workforce as international expansion continues

A MANUFACTURING company that exports its products to more than 50 countries is looking to double its workforce after entering new markets and securing contract wins.

Xtraflex cuts and assembles bespoke hoses for customers in diverse sectors including the pharmaceutical, marine and automotive industries.

Its flexible hosing is used in the manufacture of products such as cosmetics, chocolate and other food stuffs.  

Currently employing a team of nine, the Barnsley company is looking to double that to 18 by the end of 2017.

Turnover is also set to grow from £1.8m to just over £2.3m by the end of 2017.

The company has achieved this growth through winning more export deals and moving in to the milk production market in the UK and Ireland.

It is also looking to move to larger custom-built premises as it anticipates outgrowing its current 6000 sq ft premises at Fallbank Industrial Estate at Dodworth.

Xtraflex exports to a total of 57 countries including Sweden, Spain, Canada, Australia and Singapore. The company exports 1,000 specialised safety hoses a month for the American fire brigade and also is ready to export 1.2 million metres of automotive hosing to the US and Mexico. The company has recently won a contract to supply a customer involved in milk-based production in the West Midlands and in Ireland.

Managing director Simon Cooper said: “We’re currently experiencing very exciting times here at Xtraflex. We’re always looking to push ourselves and grow as a business and we’re in the process of growing bigger and better than we’ve ever been.  

“Because of this, we’ve obviously started to give some thought about moving to new premises but we’re not going far. We want to stay in Barnsley. We get great support and the transport links are great and really help a regular exporter like ourselves.”

Xtraflex has been provided with support and guidance in business matters and help in gaining accreditations by Enterprising Barnsley, the business development arm of Barnsley Council.

Andy Arnold, business development manager at Enterprising Barnsley, said: “Xtraflex have some really exciting things going on at the moment from product innovation to new contract wins, so watch this space in the next year or so.
 
“They’re a great example of a company that is thriving in Barnsley. They tell me of all their products and countries that they export to and it’s hard to keep up.”