New Hertel division gets off to strong start

More than 130 jobs have been secured since industrial services company Hertel stepped in when the electrical engineering firm, Watson Norie, went into administration at the beginning of 2009.

Hertel launched a new electrical and instrumentation (E&I) division based in Wallsend, North Tyneside and after initially employing 30 staff it has grown to more than 130. Many of the roles created have been taken by former employees of Watson Norie.

Hertel E&I director Lee McLean Marshall is delighted with the success: "The new E&I division ideally complements Hertel's existing business and has undoubtedly benefited from the group's excellent reputation.

"We have won significant contracts since the business was launched despite being faced with very difficult trading conditions. The work is not only in the North East but right across the UK, such as at a large water treatment plant in Ayrshire and at the Grangemouth oil refinery both in Scotland. It is good that we have been able to find the skills we need to grow locally."

Hertel E&I is part of the international Hertel Group, whose UK headquarters are in Middlesbrough. Throughout the country the group employs around 3,500 providing a range of services to the industrial sector, in particular the petro-chemical and power generation sectors.

McLean Marshall added: "The future is looking very positive and we are starting to see an indication of an improvement in the market with a growing level of activity amongst potential clients. I'm hoping that we can continue to grow as strongly as we have and we can offer more
employment opportunities on Tyneside."