By Matthew Legg Business editor

Last updated at 11:44, Thursday, 20 October 2011

Thirty new jobs are set to be created at a west Cumbrian engineering firm after it revealed plans for a £2 million expansion.

TIS Cumbria, of Workington, announced yesterday it plans to build a new 28,000sq ft headquarters on the site of town’s old steelworks.

The new premises – on Derwent Drive – will allow the company to merge its two current sites and launch an expansion and modernisation programme that will see staff numbers swell from 50 to 80.

The company bought the land for the project from Cumbria County Council, whose economic regeneration team had reclaimed it after the former Corus steel plant shut in 2005.

TIS – a finalist in two categories in tonight’s CN Group Business Awards – has won national praise for its unique business model built around promoting the skills of young west Cumbrians.

The company specialises in welding, fabrication, design and inspection of steel products, mainly for the nuclear industry.

It employs more apprentices proportionally than any other firm in the north west and brings its young staff right into the centre of its operation.

TIS joint managing director Tony O’Pray said: “This could not have come at a better time. This project now enables TIS Cumbria to further develop both our business and our young local apprentices into true engineers of the future.

“The project is expected to provide sustainable employment for future generations of west Cumbrian-bred talent.

“Without the support and assistance from Cumbria County Council this project would not have been possible.”

First published at 11:29, Thursday, 20 October 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk