News Article

A specialist electronics company in North Tyneside is relocating premises and taking on 18 new staff as part of £1m expansion plans.

Palmley Technologies Ltd offers high quality, bespoke designed electronics to be used in harsh environments, such as within engineered applications for military and minefield clearance equipment and subsea systems.

The regional development agency, One North East, has provided the company with a Selective Finance for Investment grant of £153,000 to help with the company’s plans for expansion, which include re-locating to new premises at the Orion Business Park, Tyne Tunnel Industrial Estate creating 18 new full-time jobs over the coming year.

Derek Palmley initially set up the company from his home in Tynemouth in 1999 to target this specialist market and has experienced significant growth to keep up with demand from military manufacturers.

The company currently employs 17 staff at its Silverlink base, carrying out all design, assembly, software installation, testing and product servicing in-house.

The new jobs will range from design and test engineers to wire and production operatives.

Mr Palmley, Director of Palmley Technologies, said: “As a company we have grown year on year and are delighted to have been awarded an SFI grant from One North East, which has helped us relocate to new premises and purchase necessary plant and equipment to grow the company.

“The 4,500 sq ft unit at our current location just wouldn’t allow any further expansion necessary to increase production, meet demand of this growing market and allow us to take on new contracts.

“As I completely own and finance the company myself, the grant has taken some of the risk out of investing in expansion for me and will add to initial capital expenditure of £640,000 on the new premises.”

Mr Palmley intends to further invest over £1m in the next few years, establishing the new premises, purchasing new plant and equipment and focusing on growing the North East company.

Ian Williams, One North East Director of Business and Industry, said: “Palmley Technologies is a real home-grown North East business and Derek has done a fantastic job growing the company, which was initially started in his spare room at home.

“The company is entering an exciting new era and it is pleasing that we can provide support during its expansion.”

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For more information please contact: Sarah Thompson, press office, One North East, on 0191 229 6682/07917 211547 or email sarah.thompson@onenortheast.co.uk.