It hopes to be operational in the new factory in late Autumn, according to Professional Electrician & Installer.

Founded in 1991 by Alan Hawkins and Andrew Mayo, the company provides power systems for major construction projects around the UK and currently employs 64 people.

The move will see the firm vastly increase its footprint and provide it with a platform to achieve its aim of increasing its headcount by 50% over the next three years.

Alan said: “We’re desperate for space and the move to Hillthorn will allow us to double the factory floor space. Things are going well for the business now with a healthy order book.

“The company has been consistently growing and we’ve been looking for premises for about five or six years but there’s such a high demand for factory space in this area.

“I’d been scouring the area looking for land to build one on. Sunderland City Council knew what I was looking for and flagged the Hillthorn Business Park development as a potential option. It’s a really good location for us and is only about 500 yards from the site we’re on now.”

Armah Switchgear Ltd is a key player in the industry, working on major projects around the country such The Shard in London; Goodison Park, home of Everton Football Club; floodlighting on the Tyne Bridge; and the Pilgrim’s Quarter in Newcastle.

A key part of the firm’s success has been built on its apprenticeship programme and providing opportunities to local youngsters, which in turn ensures it has a pipeline of talent coming through for years to come.

“We have a big apprentice school for a small business, and we base our future on it,” said Alan. “Andrew and I both started out as apprentices, and we put a lot of emphasis on our apprenticeships.

“We’ve got 12 apprentices and two trainees now out of 64 employees. Nearly all our senior people in the business are ex-apprentices. We take on a lot of people from local schools and we give them good training and a good profession.

“From day one we’ve had a focus on training our own people and it’s been successful. Most of our workforce now are ex-apprentices.”

Armah Switchgear Ltd decided to take space at Hillthorn Business Park following conversations with Sunderland City Council’s Business Investment Team.