Shower screen manufacturer Roman has secured £2m funding from HSBC to potentially double the size of its production facilities on Aycliffe Business Park.
Strong sales and international growth for the Aycliffe shower enclosure company means their current rented site lacks capacity to meet predicted demand in export markets.
Roman currently uses 22,000 sq ft of its rented facility on the business park, with the remaining 26,000 sq ft of the site rented to other tenants.
Purchasing the site will provide the company with flexibility to expand production when required.
Roman has been designing and producing shower screens and enclosures in Aycliffe for over thirty years.
They employ 200 people, producing product lines such as wetroom panels, shower trays, bath screens and accessories.
International interest in the firm has contributed to year-on-year growth for the business, in both the UK and abroad.
Additional production capacity and flexibility with their facilities means they are better equipped to meet increased demand for their products in Europe, the Middle East and Far East.
Managing director David Osborne said: “Roman has seen a steady increase in demand for our products both within the UK and internationally.
“HSBC UK has always been incredibly supportive of our business objectives, and this next step enables us to use the space we tenanted more flexibly, while also giving us an opportunity to continue to grow our operation.”
Gordon Forster, area director at HSBC UK added: “Purchasing this site was a natural step for Roman.
“We’re pleased to support the business as it implements a plan for the future to meet steadily increasing demand from its existing markets as well as potential new export markets.”
