A WORKWEAR supplier hopes to create jobs in a factory move.

MI Supplies, in Thornaby, near Stockton, says it wants workers as it switches operations to a larger plant.

The firm is known for its workwear, clothing and personal protection services, and has a flagship deal to supply supermarket Aldi.

The company, which employs 11 staff, has also worked with Darlington Borough Council and provided staff clothing for wax jacket maker Barbour, which has a factory in South Shields, South Tyneside.

Alex Ingham, managing director, told The Northern Echo it was moving into a site four times larger than its existing base, but confirmed it will stay on Thornaby’s Teesside Industrial Estate.

He added the firm, which has turnover of more than £2m, was looking to increase staff numbers to 18 by 2016.

He said: “We’ve gone from one little unit, to the one next door and the one next door, and so on, so the new premises will give us more space.

“We are bursting at the seams and in the last four years we’ve had double digit growth year on year.

“This is what we need to be doing to plan for the next ten to 15 years.”

Mr Ingham said the company was in a good position having attracted notable clients, but said it has found success with individuals internationally after dealing with the recession.

He said: “Aldi are an absolute joy to deal with, but we have a good mix of customers.

“We have 22,000 individuals online around the world and have delivered to so many countries.

“The recession was fine for us, and, if anything, it probably benefited us because we could go and speak to customers and say to them, ‘this is what we we do’, as they were looking to cut costs.”

The company has also benefited from backing from the North East Business Support Fund, (NEBSF), a service delivered by enterprise agency NBSL, which helped it develop its website.

Mr Ingham said: “We knew the site was extremely well received when customers arrived there, but there was an issue in getting them there in the first place.

“NBSL gave us advice on best practice, so we’re sure we’ll grow even further.”

John King, North East business support manager, added: “It’s great to see our support and the funding from NEBSF has helped take the business forward."